You're two hours into a century ride. The sun's high, your kit's soaked, and you've been sipping from your bottles like clockwork. But your legs are starting to cramp anyway. Your head feels foggy. You know you're hydrated—so what's missing?
For most cyclists, the answer is sodium. Not just fluids. Not just any electrolyte blend. Sodium—the primary mineral you lose when you sweat hard for hours on end.
Both doingwell and Skratch Labs understand this reality, but they approach it from different angles. Skratch combines electrolytes with carbohydrates, designed for riders who want fuel and hydration in one bottle. doingwell delivers high-sodium electrolytes with zero sugar, built for athletes who separate their hydration from their fueling strategy or who simply need more sodium per serving.
This isn't about declaring a winner. It's about matching the product to your physiology, your riding style, and your actual needs in the saddle. Let's break down what each brand offers and when each one makes sense.
What Cyclists Actually Lose in the Saddle
Cycling creates a unique hydration challenge. Unlike running, where you're constantly jarring your body, or swimming, where you're immersed in water, cycling keeps you in a sustained aerobic state for hours. Your sweat rate can hit 1 to 2 liters per hour in hot conditions—sometimes more if you're pushing hard or racing in the heat.
The primary electrolyte in that sweat? Sodium. On average, you lose around 900 to 1000mg of sodium per liter of sweat, though this varies significantly between individuals. Some cyclists are what's known as "salty sweaters"—you'll see white residue on your kit after a long ride, a telltale sign that you're losing sodium faster than average.
Ride duration amplifies this. A 45-minute criterium might not deplete your sodium stores enough to cause problems. But a four-hour century ride? A multi-day stage race? That's when electrolyte imbalance starts to show up: cramping in your quads or calves, mental fog that makes pacing decisions harder, or a general fatigue that water alone won't fix.
Here's the thing most cyclists learn the hard way: drinking plain water during long efforts can actually make the problem worse. If you're replacing fluids without replacing sodium, you dilute your blood sodium concentration further. Your muscles don't contract as efficiently. Your brain doesn't fire as clearly. You bonk—not from lack of calories, but from lack of salt. Understanding dehydration during intense workouts is critical for any serious cyclist.
This is where electrolyte products come in. But not all of them deliver the same sodium load, and that difference matters when you're out there grinding through mile 80.
doingwell vs. Skratch Labs: Ingredient Breakdown
Let's start with sodium content, because it's the most critical number for cyclists who sweat hard.
doingwell delivers approximately 1000mg of sodium per serving. Skratch Labs Sport Hydration Mix contains around 380mg per serving. That's not a typo—doingwell provides nearly three times the sodium per serving. For athletes who need maximum electrolyte replacement, understanding high sodium electrolytes can make a significant difference in performance.
Why the difference? It comes down to formulation philosophy. Skratch is designed as a combined hydration and light fueling product. Each serving includes 19 grams of carbohydrates from cane sugar, positioned to deliver both electrolytes and calories in one bottle. For cyclists who want a single-product solution during moderate-intensity rides, this approach makes sense.
doingwell takes a different route: zero sugar, zero carbs, just electrolytes. The formula uses organic monk fruit for sweetness—never stevia, which some athletes find leaves a bitter aftertaste—and maltodextrin-free organic natural flavors. Every milligram is disclosed on the label. No proprietary blends, no hidden ingredients.
This zero-sugar approach fits cyclists who separate their hydration from their fueling. Maybe you prefer to control your carb intake with gels, bars, or real food. Maybe you're doing fasted morning rides. Maybe you just don't want sugar in your bottles. doingwell gives you high-sodium hydration without forcing calories into the equation.
Third-party testing is another differentiator. doingwell is Informed Sport Certified, meaning every batch is tested for banned substances—a standard that matters for competitive cyclists subject to drug testing. The brand also tests every batch for heavy metals. Skratch Labs offers NSF Certified for Sport on select products, which provides similar assurance for athletes who need it. Learning how sports nutrition brands source ingredients responsibly helps you evaluate these certifications.
Both brands avoid artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Both are transparent about what's inside. The real difference is in the formulation strategy: do you want electrolytes bundled with carbs, or do you want maximum sodium without sugar?
When Each Brand Makes Sense for Your Rides
Skratch fits a specific type of cyclist and a specific type of ride. If you're doing moderate-intensity endurance efforts—say, a three-hour zone 2 ride where you want some calories coming in steadily but don't want to fuss with gels every 30 minutes—Skratch's carb-plus-electrolyte formula makes sense. You're hydrating and fueling in one step.
It also works well for cyclists who prefer a simpler setup: one bottle with Skratch, maybe a bar or two in your pocket, and you're good for a few hours. The cane sugar provides a gentle, steady stream of energy without spiking your blood sugar the way some high-glycemic gels can.
doingwell fits a different profile. If you're a heavy sweater—the kind of rider who finishes a hot summer ride with white salt lines on your bibs—you likely need more sodium than 380mg per serving. doingwell's ~1000mg per serving helps you retain fluid better and keep your muscles firing cleanly, especially on long, hot days. This is why serious athletes choose organic recovery products that prioritize clean, effective formulations.
It also fits cyclists who train across multiple disciplines. If you're doing MMA, CrossFit, or running alongside your cycling, you might prefer a hydration product that's built for combat sports-level sweat loss. doingwell was co-founded by UFC Champion Sean O'Malley after his experience with tainted supplements, so it's designed with that athletic credibility and testing rigor in mind.
The salty sweater factor is real. If you've ever noticed white residue on your kit, tasted salt on your upper lip mid-ride, or cramped despite drinking plenty of water, you're likely losing sodium faster than average. In that case, a higher-sodium option like doingwell may help you feel better and perform more consistently.
There's also the fueling strategy angle. Some cyclists prefer to separate hydration from carbs entirely—drinking electrolyte water in their bottles and taking in calories through gels, chews, or real food. This gives you more control over timing and quantity. doingwell's zero-sugar formula supports that approach without adding unwanted calories to your hydration.
Practical Considerations: Format, Taste, and Cost
Format matters when you're actually out on the bike. doingwell comes in single-serve stick packs—convenient for stuffing in a jersey pocket, easy to dose precisely, and portable for travel or race weekends. You tear, pour, shake, and go. No measuring, no mess.
Skratch Labs typically comes in bulk tubs or larger drink mix bags, which offer better value per serving but require you to measure and mix at home. For training rides where you're filling bottles in your kitchen, this works fine. For racing or multi-day events where you're mixing on the go, the stick pack format has an edge.
Taste is subjective, but both brands avoid the artificial flavor profile that plagues some electrolyte products. doingwell offers Coconut Lime, Raspberry, and Mango 500mg—all formulated with organic monk fruit and maltodextrin-free natural flavors. If you're curious about flavor quality, check out the best organic flavored supplements that actually taste good. Skratch leans into fruit-forward profiles with options like Lemon + Lime, Oranges, and Strawberries. Both are designed to taste clean and not overly sweet.
Price per serving breaks down like this: doingwell runs about $1.83 to $2.00 per serving depending on whether you subscribe ($55 for 30 servings) or buy one-time ($60 plus shipping). Skratch generally comes in around $1.20 to $1.50 per serving when purchased in bulk format.
What are you paying for with doingwell's higher price point? Higher sodium content, Informed Sport Certification with batch-tested heavy metals, zero-sugar formulation, and the convenience of single-serve stick packs. If those factors align with your needs—especially if you're a competitive cyclist subject to testing or a heavy sweater who needs maximum sodium—the cost difference may be worth it.
If you're doing casual or moderate-intensity rides where 380mg sodium suffices and you want some carbs in your bottle, Skratch's lower cost per serving and bulk format may fit your budget and riding style better.
FAQ: Cycling Hydration with doingwell or Skratch Labs
Can I use doingwell during a race if I'm also using gels?
Yes. In fact, separating your hydration from your fueling gives you more control. You can sip doingwell steadily for electrolytes and fluid, then take gels or chews on your own timing based on effort level and caloric needs. This approach prevents the guesswork of trying to match your hydration rate to your fueling rate.
Is Skratch better for longer rides because it has carbs?
It depends on your fueling strategy. If you want a single-product solution that delivers both hydration and light fueling, Skratch's carb content makes sense for moderate-intensity endurance rides. But many cyclists prefer to control their carb intake separately—using gels, bars, or real food—and drink electrolyte water in their bottles. In that case, doingwell's zero-sugar formula fits better. Neither approach is inherently superior; it's about what works for your physiology and preferences.
Which brand is better for hot weather cycling?
Higher sodium options like doingwell may help heavy sweaters retain fluid more effectively in hot conditions. If you're riding in heat and humidity where sweat rates exceed 1.5 liters per hour, getting closer to 1000mg of sodium per serving can make a noticeable difference in how you feel and perform. Skratch's 380mg per serving works for many cyclists, but if you're a salty sweater or riding in extreme heat, you might need to consume more servings to match your sodium loss—or switch to a higher-sodium product.
Can I mix doingwell with other products in the same bottle?
You can, but it's not necessary. doingwell is formulated to work on its own as a hydration product. If you want to add carb powder or another fueling product to the same bottle, test it during training first to make sure the flavors and ingredients mix well. Most cyclists who use doingwell prefer to keep hydration and fueling separate for simplicity and control.
Does Skratch's sugar content cause GI issues during hard efforts?
Some cyclists tolerate simple sugars like cane sugar well, even at higher intensities. Others experience bloating or GI distress when consuming carbs during hard efforts. If you've had issues with sugary drinks during races or interval sessions, doingwell's zero-sugar formula may sit better in your stomach. For athletes with digestive concerns, understanding how hydration supplements work for sensitive stomachs can help you make the right choice. Test both during training to see how your gut responds.
Making Your Choice Based on How You Ride
Here's a simple decision framework. If you're a heavy sweater—white residue on your kit, cramping despite hydration, or you just know you lose a lot of salt—prioritize sodium content. doingwell's ~1000mg per serving gives you more of what you're actually losing.
If you want combined fuel and hydration in one bottle for moderate-intensity endurance rides, Skratch's carb-plus-electrolyte approach makes sense. You're getting calories and sodium together, which simplifies your setup.
If you prefer to separate hydration from fueling—drinking electrolyte water and taking in carbs through gels, bars, or real food—doingwell's zero-sugar formula supports that strategy without adding unwanted calories.
Both brands offer clean ingredients. Both avoid artificial flavors and sweeteners. The choice comes down to formulation philosophy, not quality. You're not picking between a good product and a bad one—you're picking between two legitimate options built for different needs.
If higher sodium and zero sugar align with your approach, doingwell offers a straightforward option. Informed Sport Certified, batch-tested for heavy metals, and formulated by a UFC champion who learned the hard way that what's inside matters. Try it during training—not race day—and see if the higher sodium load makes a difference in how you feel on long, hot rides.
doingwell performance electrolytes are Informed Sport Certified, zero-sugar, and sweetened with organic monk fruit—with every milligram disclosed on the label. Built by a UFC champion who learned the hard way that what's inside matters. Try it and see what clean hydration actually tastes like.
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