Adult day hikers packing a snack
If you want an energy drink alongside food, plan for both the drink and its empty packaging. The NHS advises water to replace fluids lost through sweating, while the Countryside Code says to take litter home.
Who is this choice for?
Hikers choosing a zero-sugar drink
Check sugar and caffeine separately. Monster Energy UK lists 0 g sugar and 150 mg caffeine for its 500 ml Ultra can, so its zero-sugar formulation does not mean it is caffeine-free.
Shoppers drawn to glass packaging
Glass may appeal for a drink enjoyed away from the trail, but it needs a plan for carrying the bottle home. GOV.UK’s outdoor fire-safety guidance specifically warns against leaving bottles or glass in woodlands.
What should you check before packing a drink?
Choose the container for the walk first, then compare the exact drink’s serving size, caffeine and sugar information.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Container and litter | Check whether the drink comes in glass, a can or plastic. Plan how you will take the empty container home; GOV.UK warns against leaving glass in woodlands. | I want packaging I can carry through the walk and take away afterwards, rather than choosing glass for its appearance alone. |
| Water for the walk | Pack water separately from any energy drink. The NHS advises drinking extra fluids after sweating and identifies water as the way to replace lost fluids. | An energy drink might accompany my snack, but I do not want it to be my only drink after exertion. |
| Caffeine per container | Compare amounts for the exact pack size. Red Bull UK lists 80 mg in a 250 ml Original can; Monster Energy UK lists 150 mg in a 500 ml Ultra can. | If I choose a can, I want to know how much caffeine the whole can contains, not just recognise the brand. |
| Sugar and serving size | Read sugar and caffeine figures separately on the exact product. Monster Energy UK lists 0 g sugar for its 500 ml Ultra can, while its 500 ml Original Green can lists 55 g sugar. | A zero-sugar drink matters to me, but I also need to decide whether I want a 500 ml can or a smaller serving. |
| Bottle preference | If you prefer a bottle you can close again, check its material and the exact label. Tesco and Sainsbury’s identify their listed Lucozade Energy Original bottles as plastic, not glass. | I would rather carry a bottle than a can, but I need to check that its packaging suits the walk. |
What can be easy to overlook?
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Choosing glass without a plan for the empty bottle
GOV.UK’s outdoor fire-safety guidance warns that sunlight through glass can start a fire and says not to leave bottles or glass in woodlands.
For an on-trail drink, consider a non-glass container. Whatever you pack, follow the Countryside Code by taking your litter home.
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Relying on an energy drink for hydration
The NHS advises extra fluids after sweating during physical activity and recommends water to replace lost fluids.
Bring water for the walk separately from any energy drink you choose to have with a snack.
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Reading “zero sugar” as “less caffeine”
Monster Energy UK lists 0 g sugar but 150 mg caffeine for its 500 ml Ultra can. Its 500 ml Original Green can lists 160 mg caffeine and 55 g sugar.
Compare both figures on the exact can. If serving size matters, compare the whole container too: Red Bull UK lists 80 mg caffeine for its 250 ml Original can.
Relevant energy-drink ranges
These examples illustrate container and label differences; a brand’s inclusion does not mean every drink in its range has the same formulation.
Red Bull
Red Bull UK describes its Original energy drink in a 250 ml can.
- Red Bull UK lists 80 mg caffeine and 27 g sugars for that 250 ml Original can.
- The specified Original product is a can, not a glass bottle; check the label if choosing a different Red Bull variant.
Monster Energy
Monster Energy UK lists both Ultra and Original Green in 500 ml cans.
- Its UK pages list 0 g sugar and 150 mg caffeine for Ultra, and 55 g sugar and 160 mg caffeine for Original Green, per 500 ml can.
- The zero-sugar Ultra can still contains caffeine, and both specified cans hold more drink than a 250 ml can.
Lucozade Energy
Lucozade describes its Energy range as containing glucose. Tesco and Sainsbury’s list Original drinks in plastic bottles.
- The listed 380 ml and 500 ml Original bottles offer a bottle format for shoppers who prefer one to a can.
- Those listed bottles are plastic rather than glass. Check the exact drink’s label for its contents and storage instructions.
Relentless
Relentless lists flavoured energy drinks, including Cherry, on its UK product pages.
- The Cherry product page declares caffeine at 0.03%, giving shoppers a label detail to check against their chosen pack.
- Relentless says its Cherry drink is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, or pregnant or nursing women. Check the exact product before choosing it.
Joybuy canned options for a hiking snack
These are canned energy drinks to consider if you decide against carrying glass on the trail. Check the pack quantity and the label of the exact drink you choose, and bring water separately.
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Optimum Nutrition Amino Acids + Electrolytes Energy Drink, Tropical Flavour, 24 × 250 ml
A canned, non-glass option if you want to pack one 250 ml drink for a hike.
The product name specifies 24 × 250 ml. Check the pack label for its caffeine and sugar amounts, and take the empty can home.
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Red Bull Sugarfree Energy Drink, 4 × 250 ml
A sugar-free, non-glass option if you want to take a 250 ml can with your snack.
The pack contains four cans. Check the caffeine amount on the supplied can before choosing it; do not use the figure for Red Bull Original as a substitute.
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Applied Nutrition Body Fuel Energy Drink, Orange Flavour, 12 × 330 ml
A canned choice if you prefer a 330 ml drink rather than one of the 250 ml options.
The product name specifies 12 × 330 ml. Check the exact can’s caffeine and sugar information, and plan to carry out the empty packaging.
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Red Bull Energy Drink, 12 × 250 ml
A 250 ml canned option if you want a defined individual serving rather than a glass bottle.
Red Bull UK lists 80 mg caffeine for a 250 ml Original can. This listing is for 12 cans; check the supplied pack label for its sugar information.
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Monster Energy Ultra Zero Sugar, 4 × 500 ml
A zero-sugar canned option if that formulation matters more to you than taking a smaller drink.
The pack contains four 500 ml cans. Monster Energy UK lists 150 mg caffeine for its 500 ml Ultra can; check the exact can’s label before comparing caffeine amounts.
Questions about drinks on a hike
Should I take a glass-bottle energy drink on a countryside hike?
Glass is not the practical default for an on-trail drink. GOV.UK’s outdoor fire-safety guidance says not to leave bottles or glass in woodlands, and the Countryside Code says to take litter home. If you choose a non-glass drink instead, take its empty container home too.
Can an energy drink replace water during a hike?
Pack water separately. The NHS advises drinking extra fluids after sweating during physical activity and recommends water to replace lost fluids; an energy drink need not be your only drink.
How do I compare caffeine in Red Bull and Monster cans?
Compare the amount in the exact container, not just the brand name. Red Bull UK lists 80 mg for its 250 ml Original can; Monster Energy UK lists 150 mg for a 500 ml Ultra can and 160 mg for a 500 ml Original Green can. Check a different variant’s own label rather than applying these figures to it.
What should I check if I am pregnant?
Check the caffeine amount in the exact drink alongside any other caffeine you consume that day. The NHS advises having no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy.
How should I keep an opened Lucozade Energy bottle?
The Sainsbury’s listing for Lucozade Energy Original 380 ml bottles says to refrigerate the drink after opening and consume it within four days. Check the instructions on your exact bottle rather than applying that storage direction to other drinks.