LMNT vs Liquid IV. Two titans in the electrolyte drink mix industry. So which of these electrolyte drink mixes is best for hiking? That’s the million-dollar question and one I’m going to answer today! That’s why you’re here, right?
While there are many electrolyte drink mix options on the market, I will be comparing LMNT and Liquid IV in terms of ingredients, flavors, options, cost, and taste. At the end, I’ll share my unfiltered opinion about which one I believe to be best for hikers, along with a rapid-fire Q&A to help you decide.
LMNT Vs. Liquid IV: Which Is Best For Hiking?
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Before we dive into a comparison between LMNT and Liquid IV, let’s first discuss what electrolytes are and why electrolyte replenishing is so important when hiking and backpacking.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential minerals (like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) that are key for hydration and nerve and muscle function in the body.
Is Replenishing Electrolytes Necessary When Hiking?
On a normal day-to-day basis, you’ll likely get enough electrolytes from the food and drinks that you consume. As long as you’re not sweating excessively from activity or an illness, most electrolytes can simply be replenished by a healthy diet.
But when you go for a hike (or perform any other form of exercise), you start to sweat, and your body loses those essential electrolytes that it needs to stay hydrated and functional.
The simplest way to replenish electrolytes on the trail is by dissolving an electrolyte powder drink mix into water.
While there are many options out there, I will be comparing two industry titans – LMNT and Liquid IV – in terms of ingredients, flavors, options, cost, and taste.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: What Are They?
LMNT (pronounced “element”) is a sports drink whose primary purpose is to replenish electrolytes. According to their brand, they are “an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t.” There is no sugar, no artificial ingredients, and no fillers.
LMNT prides itself on perfecting the electrolyte ratio; each stick contains what they believe to be the ideal balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
The LMNT electrolyte drink mix comes in a small single-serve package that is designed to be emptied into a 16-32oz water bottle.
Liquid IV is an electrolyte drink mix whose primary purpose is to hydrate more than water alone. They pride themselves on unlocking the optimized ratio of electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients.
The original Liquid IV formula contains sugar, electrolytes, and vitamins, but they have branched out to other products like sugar-free electrolyte mixes, immune support mixes, sleep support mixes, and even a mix formulated for kids.
The Liquid IV drink mixes come in small single-serve packages that are designed to be emptied into a 16oz water bottle.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: Ingredients
LMNT’s full line of products is sugar-free, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, keto-friendly, and vegan-friendly. Stevia is used in the mixes instead of sugar, and all of the ingredients are simple and clean.
LMNT products contain three electrolytes: sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
Other than electrolytes and stevia, LMNT adds citric or malic acid and natural flavors to their products, as well as cocoa powder to their chocolate mixes. Simple and clean.
It’s worth noting that the sodium content in LMNT is high. Each packet contains a staggering 1000mg of sodium, which is seemingly excessive. Unless you’re an athlete who requires a high daily intake of sodium, or a long-distance hiker who’s hiking 20+ miles per day, LMNT could be overkill.
Liquid IV’s ingredients vary by product and flavor, but they are generally more complex than LMNT’s; some contain things like silicon dioxide and tartaric acid. Sugars are present in most of the products; however, there is a line of sugar-free mixes that substitutes sugar with allulose.
Interestingly, most of Liquid IV’s products contain B and C vitamins, which LMNT lacks. Sodium content is also half that of LMNT, which seems much more reasonable for the average hiker but could be problematic for someone who needs higher replenishment.
Also, Liquid IV contains just two electrolytes: sodium and potassium. Magnesium is absent from all Liquid IV products.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: Flavors
LMNT offers significantly fewer flavors than Liquid IV.
LMNT currently has eight regular flavors (Lemonade, Grapefruit, Citrus, Orange, Watermelon, Raspberry, Raw Unflavored, and Mango Chili) and two hot flavors (Chocolate and Chocolate Caramel).
One variety pack with four different flavors is available on their website, while another variety pack with eight different flavors is available on Amazon.
In my opinion, Liquid IV offers more enticing, unique flavors than LMNT. Factually, they simply have more flavor options than LMNT.
Their original Hydration Multiplier formula comes in nineteen flavors alone: Orange Vanilla Dream, Arctic Raspberry, Cotton Candy, Popsicle Firecracker, Lemon Lime, Strawberry, Acai Berry, Concord Grape, Golden Cherry, Grapefruit, Guava, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pear, Pina Colada, Seaberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, and Watermelon.
Their sugar-free flavors include Green Grape, Lemon Lime, Rainbow Sherbet, Raspberry Melon, White Peach, Raspberry Lemonade, Mango Pineapple, Strawberry Watermelon, and Mandarin Orange.
Variety packs are available in a few regular and sugar-free flavors. They even offer a “build your own bundle” deal on their website, which allows you to customize your bundle and unlock a free pouch.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: Options
LMNT has significantly fewer options than Liquid IV. Their approach to hydration is more simplistic.
However, LMNT does offer something that Liquid IV doesn’t: hot options! Their line of hot chocolate drink mixes offers a fun and unique way to replenish electrolytes! Simply add the mix to boiling water instead of cold water.
LMNT also now carries cases of canned sparkling electrolyte water.
Liquid IV, on the other hand, has many, many options. Aside from their original Hydration Multiplier formula, they also have a line of sugar-free, immune support, energy boosting, gut health, kid-friendly, and sleep aid drink mixes.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: Cost
LMNT and Liquid IV’s original Hydration Multiplier formula cost about the same, roughly $1.50 per serving.
LMNT sells its 30 packs (single flavor) for $45. I’d recommend purchasing this variety pack on Amazon first – eight sticks, eight different flavors. That way, you can try them all and then purchase a larger box of your favorite flavor later!
Liquid IV sells its 16 packs (single flavor) for $24.99 and 14 packs (single sugar-free flavor) for $25.99. If you’d like to sample a variety of flavors, there are some great variety packs of regular and sugar-free that are available on Amazon.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: Taste
This is where my opinion will really shine through. I’ve produced mostly facts up until now. Now it’s time for my opinion on…taste! This will be subjective, of course, but I assume this is why you’re here!
So how does LMNT taste?
LMNT is…salty. Considering the one thousand milligrams of sodium in each packet, this was fully expected! Salt is their brand (it’s in most of the flavor names, too), so the fact that the drink tastes salty isn’t surprising.
That being said, I enjoyed the flavors of the LMNT drink mixes more than I thought I would. I thought they were pretty “boring” compared to Liquid IV’s flavors, so I didn’t have high expectations, flavor-wise. But the flavors really shone through, even with the high concentration of salt, and I could definitely taste a good mix of salt and sweet.
In terms of sweetness, the stevia that LMNT uses to sweeten its products (instead of sugar) is delicious. I prefer stevia over cane sugar anyway, so the natural sweetness pleased my taste buds.
Also, before I wrap up my taste review on LMNT, I want to point out that there is a big difference between drinking this electrolyte mix at home versus on the trail. The taste is better, and the saltiness is easier to digest after a nice hike or a good workout.
So if you’re testing LMNT out at home and don’t find it particularly appetizing, I would encourage you to give it a second chance on the trail.
What about Liquid IV?
Liquid IV is simply delicious. The creative flavors and lower concentration of salt bode well for this brand, taste-wise.
But while the salt is not nearly as overpowering as LMNT, it’s still obvious. For some reason, I took my first sip of Liquid IV thinking it would taste like regular flavored water, but I can confirm that it definitely tastes like a salty sports drink.
Once I got past that initial shock (my fault entirely), I was able to enjoy it better.
In terms of sweetness, I actually favor the sugar-free Liquid IV mixes over the regular drink mixes. This is probably because I don’t consume sugary drinks in my everyday life. I thought the sugar-free ones (which are sweetened with allulose) were much tastier than the regular sugary mixes.
Similar to LMNT, Liquid IV also tastes better after a long hike or a nice workout than it does at home. So if at first you don’t like the flavor, try it again after a hike, and I think you’ll change your opinion.
LMNT Vs Liquid IV: So Which Is Best For Hiking?
Here’s my unfiltered opinion on which product hikers should buy.
I believe backpackers, long-distance hikers, anyone hiking a strenuous trail, or anyone losing a lot of electrolytes from another intense activity will benefit from LMNT because of the presence of magnesium and the elevated sodium content.
On the other hand, casual day hikers, travelers, and anyone else performing a light activity or spending time out in the sun will benefit from Liquid IV because the sodium content is not as heavy.
Still need help deciding which to buy? Here’s a rapid-fire Q & A!
Are you wanting…
- More flavor options? Liquid IV
- Cleaner and simpler ingredients? LMNT
- Sugar-free options? Both
- Hot options? LMNT
- Vitamins present? Liquid IV
- Magnesium present? LMNT
- Less overpowering salty flavor? Liquid IV
- Higher sodium content? LMNT
- Higher potassium content? Liquid IV
Are you more of a visual person? Here’s an LMNT vs Liquid IV comparison chart!
| LMNT | LIQUID IV – ORIGINAL FORMULA | LIQUID IV – SUGAR-FREE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 0g | 11g | 0g |
| Calories | 0-10 | 40-50 | 15-20 |
| Sodium | 1000mg | 500-560mg | 510-530mg |
| Potassium | 200mg | 370mg | 380mg |
| Magnesium | 60mg | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamins | None | B3,B5,B6,B12,C | B3,B5,B6,B12,C |
| Cost | $1.50 per serving | $1.56 per serving | $1.86 per serving |
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