More and more electrolyte powders are hitting the shelves every day, with splashy marketing and some fancy-sounding claims, leaving many people wondering, "Should I be buying hydration drinks?" The truth is that electrolytes can hydrate you faster than water alone. But with hydration aids, the formula is everything.
To help my clients in their search for the best hydration drink, I'm taking a closer look at one popular electrolyte mix: Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix. In this Skratch Labs hydration review, find out if its formula stands up to its purported benefits—and why Live it Up Vital Minerals continues to be my top pick.
- How Well Does Skratch Hydrate?
- Is Skratch Hydration Worth a Try?
- What Is Skratch?
- Purported Health Benefits
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Quality and Safety
- Cost Analysis
- Taste Review
- Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals
Skratch Hydration Quick Facts
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Key ingredients:
- 4 primary electrolytes: sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium
- Vitamin C and iron
- Cane sugar and dextrose
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Flavors: 6 core flavors (with occasional seasonal options like Apple Cider for fall)
- Lemon-Lime
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Fruit Punch
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Raspberry Limeade (contains caffeine)
- Manufacturer health claims: Rapid hydration and quick energy to support athletic performance
- Possible side effects: Skratch Labs doesn't list any potential side effects from its formula. In fact, while digestive issues can occur with some electrolyte powders, Skratch reviewers note easier digestion with this hydration mix.
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Nutrition facts: One serving = one 22-gram scoop or packet
- Calories: 80
- Carbohydrates: 19-20 grams
- Total sugars: 18-19 grams
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Container size: Three options:
- 20 single-serving packs
- 20-serving resealable bag (scoop)
- 60-serving resealable bag (scoop)
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Price:
- Packets: $35.95 for 20 packets ($1.79 per serving)
- 20-serving resealable bag: $21.95 ($1.09 per serving)
- 60-serving resealable bag: $54.95 ($0.91 per serving)
- Shipping: Free for US orders $49+
Formula Snapshot: How Well Does Skratch Hydrate?
Skratch Labs hydration mix features a nice electrolyte profile, with four of the primary electrolytes, plus some iron and vitamin C:
- Sodium: 400mg
- Potassium: 50mg
- Calcium: 50mg
- Magnesium: 50mg
However, with electrolyte drinks, ratios of essential minerals are everything. The first thing I notice in the Skratch hydration drink mix is that the ratio of sodium to potassium is extremely off. I typically advise clients to look for a 2:1 ratio of sodium to potassium, but Skratch's hydration mix has a ratio of 8:1. Without enough potassium, I worry that this formula won't adequately replenish electrolytes lost during intense activity.
Bottom Line: Is Skratch Hydration Worth a Try?
Skratch Hydration could be a good option for athletes, as it contains some of the necessary elements of an electrolyte drink, but it falls short in terms of price, sodium-to-potassium balance, and the amount of sugar. For an affordable hydration drink that contains an optimal amount of salt for daily hydration without any added sugar, I recommend Live it Up Vital Minerals instead.
What Is Skratch Labs?
The idea for Skratch Labs began when Dr. Allen Lim was working with professional cyclists who were experiencing gut issues after taking sports drinks. Lim used his background in science and sports nutrition to create his own drink mixes. His reimagined sports drinks had the goal of good flavor, no artificial sweeteners, and helping athletes stay hydrated without GI distress. Lim's mixes started catching the attention of other pro athletes and companies, gaining popularity and leading to the creation of Skratch Labs in 2012.
Skratch Labs sells energy chews, energy bars, recovery drink mixes, and four hydration products, including Hydration Sport Drink Mix, as well as an unsweetened version with no sugar or sweetener (this is a more recent offering). One serving of the Strawberry Lemonade flavor contains:
- 80 calories
- 20g carbohydrates
- 18g sugar
- 400mg of sodium
- 50mg of calcium
- 50mg of potassium
- 50mg of magnesium
- No cholesterol or fat
Skratch Hydration Pros
- Single-serving packets are convenient
- No fillers, artificial sweeteners, or flavors
- Contains vitamin C and iron to support the body's functions
- Customers seem to enjoy the light flavor and lack of aftertaste
Skratch Hydration Cons
- Includes 18-19 grams of added sugars and 80 calories
- Amount of sodium may not be optimal for some athletes (Skratch's target user)
- Ratio of sodium to potassium is way off
- Expensive compared to some competitors
Skratch Hydration Purported Benefits
Formulated specifically for athletes, Skratch Hydration focuses on hydration, performance, and recovery. Let's find out if its formula supports these three different purported benefits.
#1 Optimizes Hydration
Skratch's formula includes four primary electrolytes. Potassium and sodium, in particular, have important roles in balancing the body's fluids through intra- and extracellular fluid volumes. However, these two minerals are included at a very skewed ratio.
For effective hydration, I look for a sodium to potassium ratio of 2:1. Skratch Hydration's ratio is 8:1 (way off!). That said, an electrolyte drink mix does hydrate the body faster than plain water and helps to replenish minerals lost through sweat.
#2 Supports Athletic Preparation and Performance
While some people may balk at the inclusion of so many carbs (20g) in Skratch's Sport Hydration Drink Mix formula, research shows that added carbohydrates can support hydration by stimulating the sodium-glucose transport system, which moves water throughout the body. This system, partly powered by carbs, can even help sustain muscular activity for extended periods of time or while training in particularly hot weather.
But carbs aren't the only performance-aiding item on the menu. Magnesium plays a role in energy metabolism and has been shown to support both aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
#3 Aids Muscle Function and Recovery
Many athletes in a range of sports struggle with muscle cramps while exercising. One cause can be dehydration, and one solution is ingesting more salt, which can minimize cramps. (In Skratch hydration reviews I read, many athletes feel that muscle cramps have decreased with the Hydration Sport Drink Mix.)
Plus, sodium can assist with post-workout recovery, helping the body to recover more quickly and get ready for the next athletic performance.
Skratch Hydration Ingredients
Here are the core ingredients in Skratch Hydration Sport Drink Mix:
- Sodium: Athletes have different sodium needs, so the amount in Skratch's formula may or may not be beneficial. For instance, athletes who struggle with muscle cramps may lose more salt than those who don't have cramps, meaning that their sodium requirement could be higher. There are various factors involved in how much sodium your body needs for optimal performance, such as type and length of activity, climate, and physical makeup.
- Other necessary electrolytes: Calcium, potassium, and magnesium round out the electrolyte profile. The biggest downside in my book is that the sodium to potassium ratio is imbalanced for proper hydration.
- Vitamin C and iron: I love that Skratch included vitamin C, as it has been shown to help the body synthesize collagen and tolerate heat. The inclusion of iron is interesting, given that it doesn't directly support hydration; however, iron may support mental recovery post-athletic performance.
- Sweetener: The Skratch hydration mix uses cane sugar and dextrose not just to flavor the electrolyte drink but also to support hydration and provide fast energy. But at 81% of the formula (18g out of 22g total), I believe that the sugar content is just too high—even for an athlete.
- Other ingredients: Skratch uses only real fruit to flavor its electrolyte powders. For instance, the Lemon-Lime flavor includes lemon juice, lime juice, lemon oil, and lime oil, and Fruit Punch flavors include raspberry juice, passion fruit, and other fruit juices. Rounding out the ingredients list are sodium citrate, citric acid, magnesium carbonate, calcium citrate, potassium citrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and malic acid. (These ingredients vary by flavor.)
Skratch Hydration Quality and Safety
Skratch Labs manufactures all of its products, including the Hydration Sport Drink Mix, in the United States. While it doesn't note if its manufacturing facilities are Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified, Skratch is a food company regulated by the FDA, so it's assumed that the facilities abide by FDA standards.
It is concerning that Skratch doesn't mention any third-party testing, an essential factor for ensuring potency, purity, and safety of ingredients. In comparison, Live it Up Vital Minerals is third-party tested, non-GMO, and GMP-certified.
Skratch Hydration is dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, kosher, vegan, and non-GMO.
Skratch Hydration Cost Analysis
Skratch Hydration Sport Drink Mix is on the higher end of the cost spectrum for electrolyte drinks, which may be a barrier for budget-conscious consumers.
- 1 single-serving packet costs $1.95
- 20 single-serving packets cost $35.95 ($1.79 per serving)
- A 20-serving resealable bag costs $21.95 ($1.09 per serving)
- A 60-serving resealable bag costs $54.95 ($0.91 per serving)
- No free shipping on all orders
Skratch does not offer subscriptions to lower the cost. The only way to get under $1 per serving is by ordering the 60-serving pouch, so this option is likely best for those who already know that they love the product. However, Skratch Labs has a flexible return policy, allowing returns for an exchange or a refund. Customers can only unlock free shipping with orders $49 and up (the 60-serving pouch is the only option that gets you to this threshold).
Skratch Hydration Taste Review
Skratch Hydration comes in six core flavors, all flavored with real fruit:
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Lemon-Lime
- Fruit Punch
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Raspberry Limeade (contains caffeine)
Overall, Skratch Labs hydration mix reviews are glowing, with customers praising the omission of artificial sweeteners or stevia (which can sometimes cause a strange aftertaste), the smooth saltiness, and natural flavors.
The first thing I noticed at first sip was the very light flavor. When I purchase a flavored drink, I want the taste to match—especially when the price is well over $1 for a serving. Skratch takes a light approach to flavor profiles, opting for a barely-there taste that it says is to avoid "flavor fatigue." Some people think it's just the right amount, but some people (like this TikTok reviewer) don't.
Although many people don't find the formula too sweet, I could tell that there were nearly 20 grams of sugar—it's overly sweet for my taste buds. Plus, it was a bit gritty, even after shaking. Skratch acknowledges this, however, noting on the product page that settling is normal and to shake your water bottle before each sip.
Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals
I give Skratch Labs Hydration high marks for its clean formula without excess ingredients, higher amount of sodium than some brands, and inclusion of vitamin C to support energy metabolism and hydration in the heat. Plus, it's reassuring to read so many positive reviews of Skratch Labs products.
Still, I just can't get behind an electrolyte powder that is 81% sugar, contains 80 calories, and doesn't include the right balance of sodium to potassium. Additionally, for a hydration sports drink that's focused on athletic performance, I'm not sure that the amount of sodium would be effective for some athletes.
Live it Up Vital Minerals is still my go-to hydration supplement, with a balanced amount of sodium and other electrolytes for daily hydration. It only contains 10 calories, is naturally sweetened (no added sugars here!), and also includes vitamin C. Plus, our formula has no GMOs, soy, gluten, and or nuts.
At less than $1 per serving, Vital Minerals is an affordable choice for daily hydration, with a great taste. Try the Lemon Lime or Pomegranate Mango flavors today!
Skratch Hydration Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about Skratch or hydration drinks in general? Learn more right here!
Is Skratch good for hydration?
Skratch may be good for hydration, as it contains key electrolytes that are necessary for replenishing what's lost in sweat. Sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium all support various bodily functions, including hydration. However, Skratch has an imbalance of sodium to potassium and features a large amount of sugar (81% of its formula), which could be detrimental.
What is the healthiest hydration drink?
The healthiest hydration drink is the one that helps your body replenish electrolytes lost with fluids and works with your health and wellness goals. I, for one, always lean toward Live it Up Vital Minerals to safely hydrate throughout the day because it has an optimal amount of sodium, no added cane sugar, and electrolytes that work together to maintain proper hydration. Plus, it has a refreshing taste!
How does Skratch Labs compare to other brands?
Skratch Labs focuses on hydration for athletes to support performance, muscle function, and recovery. Skratch prioritizes clean ingredients for its Hydration Sport Drink Mix.
The formula features more sodium than, say, Ultima Replenisher, but less than Saltt. It does contain much more sugar than many specialty hydration drinks, more calories and carbs, and comes at a higher price point than some.
When to use Skratch Hydration?
Skratch recommends using the Hydration Sport Drink Mix before or during a workout or when you're thirsty.
Can I drink electrolyte water every day?
Yes! Electrolytes aren't just for athletes—many formulas are appropriate for daily use, too. For instance, Live it Up Vital Minerals is formulated with a balanced sodium-to-potassium ratio and has less sodium than many sports drinks, making it suitable for daily hydration. As with any supplement, however, pay attention to the vitamin and mineral amounts, sugar content, and other ingredients in your chosen electrolyte drink to ensure that you're getting enough (and not too much of) a specific ingredient.
References
- https://www.skratchlabs.com/
- https://www.skratchlabs.com/products/hydration-sport-drink-mix
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1323420/
- https://www.tiktok.com/discover/skratch-hydration-review
- https://www.amazon.com/Hydration-Servings-Electrolyte-Developed-Performance/dp/B075NPB5S1?th=1
- https://www.elevationoutdoors.com/magazine/april-2018/starting-from-skratch/
- https://www.skratchlabs.com/blogs/blog/2024-year-in-review-this-isnt-easy-but-its-always-worth-it
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/3/585
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11193601/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231364/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6901412/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150427/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236216/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9932653/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sports-drink
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes
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