Who High5 Is
High5 was founded in Leeds in 1991. The brand has been a fixture in UK and European endurance sport for over three decades, particularly around cycling and triathlon - High5 has sponsored Grand Tour teams and elite triathletes. The range is broad and the brand sits firmly in the endurance-specialty channel.
The Range
High5's range covers Zero (effervescent electrolyte tablets), Energy Drink (carbohydrate-electrolyte powder), Energy Drink Caffeine Hit (with caffeine), Energy Gel and Energy Gel Aqua (the Aqua variant is more drinkable mid-effort), Energy Bars, and Recovery Drink. Flavours run the standard endurance palette - Citrus, Berry, Tropical, Orange.
Formulation Notes
High5 Zero tablets deliver around 250 mg sodium per tablet with minimal carbohydrate. The Energy Drink powders sit closer to a traditional sports drink at around 4-6% carbohydrate. The brand pioneered the Aqua gel format - a more dilute, drinkable gel that doesn't need water to chase.
Who Reaches For High5
Australian club cyclists, triathletes, and marathoners - particularly those who've ridden European tours or follow European cycling culture. High5 is widely available through endurance specialty retailers and Amazon AU.
Best Fit For
- European-style endurance kit lists for road cyclists and triathletes
- Athletes already using Isotonic Energy Gel Aqua format
- Carbohydrate-and-electrolyte fuelling without the supermarket sugar load
Worth Considering Alongside
If you're weighing up High5 against others in the same use-case bucket, these brand profiles cover the same ground from different angles:
- SiS - Science in Sport - UK endurance-focused sports nutrition brand with a strong cycling and triathlon presence in Australia.
- Tailwind Nutrition - Colorado-founded endurance powder that combines carbohydrate and electrolytes in one bottle - popular with ultra and trail runners.
- Skratch Labs - Boulder-founded endurance hydration brand built around "real food" formulations and clean ingredient lists.
- Maurten - Swedish endurance brand built around hydrogel technology, widely used by elite marathoners and cyclists.
Frequently Asked
Where can I buy High5 in Australia?
High5 is stocked through Australian endurance specialty retailers, Amazon AU, and online direct. It's a UK endurance brand widely used by Australian cyclists and triathletes who follow European racing nutrition.
What is High5 Aqua gel?
High5 pioneered the Aqua gel format - a more dilute, drinkable gel that doesn't require chasing with water. Compared to concentrated energy gels, Aqua gels are easier to consume during running where stomach tolerance matters.
Does High5 have caffeine?
Some High5 products include caffeine. The Energy Drink Caffeine Hit variant carries around 30 mg caffeine per serve alongside the standard carbohydrate-electrolyte profile. The brand's other products (Zero tablets, standard Energy Drink, Aqua gels) are caffeine-free.
