Updated 06/23/2026

After dealing with electrolyte imbalance issues, I tested Skratch Labs Hydration Mix to see how it performs for hydration, recovery, and replacing electrolytes on the trail.

Why Electrolytes Matter

The human body is made up of about 60% water, and during hiking or backpacking, you lose both fluids and essential minerals through sweat. These minerals — electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium — are key to maintaining proper hydration and supporting muscle function.

A general guideline is to drink about half a liter of water per hour during moderate activity, increasing that amount in warmer temperatures or with higher exertion. But water alone isn’t always enough.

When electrolytes aren’t replaced, performance can decline, and in more serious cases, it can lead to hyponatremia, a condition caused by low sodium levels. This is why electrolyte replacement becomes especially important on longer or hotter outings.

My Experience with Electrolytes

I didn’t always pay attention to electrolytes — until I started having issues on backpacking trips. I’m prone to heat exhaustion and tend to sweat heavily while hiking. On several outings, I experienced heat-related symptoms even though I was drinking plenty of water. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t actually dehydrated — I just wasn’t replacing what I was losing through sweat.

On one trip, I experienced a scary case of hyponatremia. During a three-night backpacking trip in the North Cascades, I had been sweating heavily for the first two days, and on the last morning, I woke up shaking all over. I could barely hold a water bottle and felt extremely weak. Fortunately, the friends I was with shared some electrolyte replacements, and while it took some time, I gradually started to feel better as we made the long hike out. Afterward, I spoke with my doctor about how to prevent it in the future, and adding electrolytes became a consistent part of my hydration strategy.

Since then, I’ve also been more mindful of how I feel at the end of long days on the trail and how electrolyte intake can support recovery.

What I Look for in an Electrolyte Mix

After trying several options, I’ve learned that taste and ingredients matter just as much as performance.

I avoid mixes with stevia or monk fruit because both leave an aftertaste I don’t enjoy. If I don’t like how something tastes, I won’t drink it — which makes it harder to stay properly hydrated. I also steer clear of artificial sweeteners, additives, and food coloring for health reasons, so I tend to look for simpler ingredient lists.

Beyond that, I want something that actually helps replace what I’m losing through sweat, especially sodium along with other key electrolytes. After dealing with the effects of not replenishing electrolytes properly, that balance has become much more important to me.

Skratch Labs Hydration Sport Drink Mix

I’ve tried quite a few electrolyte mixes, and Skratch Labs ended up being one of my favorites. They use cane sugar instead of alternative sweeteners, which makes a noticeable difference in both taste and how it sits on my stomach — something I’ve had issues with in many others I’ve tried. The flavor is light and subtle, with just a hint of fruit rather than anything overly sweet or artificial.

From a performance standpoint, the formulation is designed to reflect what you actually lose through sweat. Sodium makes up the majority of electrolytes lost — about 90% — and each serving includes 400 mg of sodium along with potassium, calcium, and magnesium to help support hydration.

It’s also free from artificial colors and unnecessary additives, which aligns with what I look for in an electrolyte mix. Overall, it’s easy to drink consistently throughout the day, which is just as important as the electrolyte content itself.

I like all of the flavors I’ve tried, but the strawberry lemonade, fruit punch, and orange are my favorites.

Skratch Labs Unsweetened Hydration Mix

The unsweetened lemon/lime flavor has also been a great addition to my setup. It gives me the flexibility to increase electrolyte intake without adding sweetness — especially useful on longer or hotter trips. I’ll often combine it with the regular mix to fine-tune both the flavor and the electrolyte concentration depending on the conditions.

How I Use It on the Trail

On hikes and backpacking trips, I usually carry two water bottles — one for plain water and one for an electrolyte mix — so I can alternate between the two.

I use a 16 oz Nalgene bottle for mixing electrolytes and a separate 1-liter bottle for plain water. The wide opening on the Nalgene makes it easy to add powder, it’s simple to clean, and it doesn’t retain flavors like some other plastic bottles.

Skratch Labs Energy Chews

I also use Skratch Labs Energy Chews on the trail as a quick source of fuel. Unlike the hydration mixes, these don’t contain electrolytes — they’re designed to provide easily digestible carbohydrates for energy during longer or more strenuous hikes. I like having them on hand for steady energy between meals, especially on bigger days when I need something simple that’s easy to eat while moving.

Final Thoughts

Skratch Labs Hydration Mix has worked well for me because it strikes a balance between effective electrolyte replacement and simple, easy-to-tolerate ingredients.

After dealing with electrolyte imbalance on the trail, it’s become a reliable part of how I stay hydrated on hikes and backpacking trips. As always, hydration needs can vary, but finding something you’ll actually drink consistently makes a big difference.

Disclaimer: This review includes a mix of purchased and provided products.

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

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