How to Mix Maurten 320 Properly

Maurten Drink Mix 320 requires precise mixing. The water volume printed on the sachet isn't a suggestion. Get it wrong and you change both the taste and the hydrogel formation the product is built around.

This guide covers the exact steps, the science behind the 500ml requirement, the mistakes that trip people up, and how to time it on race day.

How to Mix Maurten 320

Do not mix with more or less than 500ml. Do not add other ingredients.

1. Measure exactly 500ml of water (room temperature works best)

2. Pour the entire contents of 1 Maurten Drink Mix 320 sachet or  Maurten Drink Mix 320 Caf 10 (80g) into the water

3. Close the lid securely and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds until fully dissolved

4. Consume over approximately 60 minutes for 80g of carbohydrate per hour

Do not mix with more or less than 500ml. Do not add other ingredients.

What Is Maurten 320?

Maurten Drink Mix 320 is a high-carbohydrate drink mix delivering 80g of carbohydrate per sachet, in roughly a 1:0.8 glucose to fructose ratio. The "320" refers to its energy content: 80g of carbohydrate provides approximately 320 kcal (1,340 kJ), plus 245mg of sodium per 500ml. It is also available in a caffeinated version with the Maurten Drink Mix 320 Caf 100.

The product runs on hydrogel technology. Sodium alginate and pectin form a gel-like matrix in the acidic environment of your stomach¹, lowering the osmotic load on your gut and supporting a higher carb intake with less GI stress than a standard concentrated mix.

This is why the water volume matters. Too much water and the matrix doesn't form properly. Too little and the solution becomes more concentrated, working against the product's own design. Maurten 320 is used widely by elite marathoners and cyclists and delivers one of the highest carb loads available in a single-serve drink mix. For more on the technology, read Hydrogel vs Standard Gels: What's the Difference?.

What You Need to Mix Maurten 320

• 1 sachet of Maurten Drink Mix 320

• Exactly 500ml of water (room temperature dissolves more easily)

• A 500ml soft flask, bike bottle, or standard bottle with a secure lid

Don't use a larger bottle and fill it by eye. Measure 500ml accurately. A 750ml bottle filled to the 500ml mark works fine. Guessing doesn't. No blender or special equipment needed either. Vigorous shaking for 30-60 seconds is enough.

Step-by-Step: How to Mix Maurten 320

1. Measure exactly 500ml of water and pour it into your bottle

2. Open the sachet and pour the entire contents into the water

3. Close the lid securely

4. Shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds until fully dissolved

5. Check for undissolved powder. Keep shaking if needed

6. If preparing ahead, store in the fridge and consume within 24 hours

Room-temperature water dissolves more easily than water straight from the fridge. If you're using cold water, expect to shake for longer. Mixed correctly, Maurten 320 should look clear or very slightly cloudy, not thick or grainy.

Ash's note: "I recommend preparing race-day bottles the evening before (no longer than 24 hours) and storing them in the fridge overnight. They're easier to handle when chilled and ready to go when you need them."

Common Mistakes When Mixing Maurten 320

Using too much water (600ml or 750ml): dilutes the formula, prevents the matrix forming properly, and cuts the carbohydrate you're actually getting per hour. Fix: measure 500ml accurately every time.

Using too little water (350ml or less): concentrates the solution, raises osmotic load, and increases GI discomfort risk. Fix: always use exactly 500ml.

Adding electrolyte tabs, flavouring, or other powders: can disrupt the hydrogel matrix and change the osmolality. Fix: mix with water only.

Using ice-cold water: slows dissolution and can leave undissolved powder at the bottom. Fix: use room-temperature water, or shake for longer.

Shaking too gently: leaves powder settled at the bottom instead of dissolved through the drink. Fix: shake vigorously for at least 30-60 seconds and check before your first sip.

When to Drink Maurten 320 on Race Day

Start drinking within the first 10-15 minutes of the race. Don't wait until you feel thirsty or depleted.

Target roughly 500ml (1 bottle) per hour for a sustained 80g/hr carbohydrate delivery. That's the product's design intent.

If you're combining Maurten 320 with Maurten Gel 100 (25g carbs per gel), account for the combined total: 80g from drink mix plus 1 gel takes you to 105g/hr. If you're targeting 90g/hr specifically, drop the gel frequency to 1 every 90 minutes instead of every hour. Maurten CAF 100, the caffeinated version of the gel, is what many athletes reach for in the final third of a race. It carries the same 25g of carbs, so factor it into your hourly total the same way.

A sample marathon protocol, as a reference point rather than a prescription:

• Km 0-20: Bottle 1 (80g carbs), consumed steadily from the start

• Km 20-35: Bottle 2 (80g carbs), optional Gel 100 around km 28 if needed

• Km 35 to finish: Bottle 3, or supplement with CAF 100 for the final push

Ash's note: "Your exact protocol depends on your pace, sweat rate, and how your gut responds. Run the numbers across at least 2-3 long training sessions before race day." For the full maths behind hitting a specific hourly target, see How to Hit 90g Carbs Per Hour Using Drink Mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split one sachet across two 250ml bottles? Not recommended. You won't get the right carbohydrate concentration per hour, and the hydrogel matrix may not form correctly at that ratio.

Can I mix Maurten 320 with milk, juice, or a sports drink instead of water? No, water only. Other liquids change the osmolality and disrupt the hydrogel formation.

Can I add an electrolyte tab or powder to Maurten 320? No. Maurten deliberately avoids additives to protect the hydrogel matrix and gut tolerability. If you need extra sodium, take your electrolytes separately.

What's the difference between Maurten 320 and Maurten 160? Maurten 160 contains 40g of carbohydrate per sachet, also mixed with 500ml of water. It suits athletes targeting 40g of carbs/hr (exercise of 1-2 hour duration) or those wanting to mix drink mixes with other energy products.

Is Maurten 320 gluten free? Yes, Maurten Drink Mix 320 is made with gluten free ingredients and manufactured in a certified gluten-free facility with no risk of cross-contamination. Safe for individuals with celiac disease.

How long can mixed Maurten 320 be stored, and can I freeze it? Consume within 24 hours of mixing, and refrigerate to keep it fresh over that window. According to Maurten, freezing a mixed bottle doesn't disrupt the hydrogel or the product either, so pre-mixing and freezing bottles ahead of a race is fine. Just allow enough time for it to thaw back to liquid before drinking.

Browse Maurten Drink Mix 320, Maurten Gel 100, and Maurten CAF 100 at Aid Station to build your full race-day protocol.