Tailwind vs Gatorade: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 2.3 times the sodium of Gatorade Thirst Quencher per 12 fl oz (372 mg vs 162 mg). Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 43% more sugar than Gatorade Thirst Quencher per 12 fl oz (30 g vs 21 g). Gatorade Thirst Quencher costs less per liter as mixed ($1.48 vs $3.49 for Tailwind Endurance Fuel).
Tailwind Endurance Fuel vs Gatorade Thirst Quencher, side by side
Serving sizes differ. Tailwind Endurance Fuel's label is for one scoop serving in 10 fl oz (296 mL) of water; Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. The per-serving numbers on the two labels can't be compared directly, so this page converts both to 12 fl oz and 1 liter of finished drink.
| Nutrient | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder tub | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 120 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 30 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 30 g | 21 g |
| Added sugars | 30 g | 21 g |
| Sodium | 372 mg | 162 mg |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 48 mg |
| Magnesium | 14 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 32 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder tub | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 338 kcal | 237 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 84 g | 59 g |
| Sugars | 84 g | 59 g |
| Added sugars | 84 g | 59 g |
| Sodium | 1,047 mg | 457 mg |
| Potassium | 304 mg | 135 mg |
| Magnesium | 41 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 91 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Format | powder tub | ready-to-drink bottle |
| Drink volume | 10 fl oz (296 mL) | 20 fl oz (591 mL) |
| Calories | 100 kcal | 140 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 25 g | 35 g |
| Sugars | 25 g | 35 g |
| Added sugars | 25 g | 35 g |
| Sodium | 310 mg | 270 mg |
| Potassium | 90 mg | 80 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 27 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Shaded cells mark more electrolytes, or less sugar and fewer calories. Carbohydrate and caffeine are not marked, since more or less depends on your use. Neither label lists chloride.
Tailwind Endurance Fuel label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sodium per liter
Sweat carries about 230 to 1,610 mg of sodium per liter[1]. Both gauges use the same scale, so the markers line up.
Cost per serving and per 1,000 mg sodium
| Measure | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | Gatorade Thirst Quencher |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $30.99 for 30-serving bag | $6.99 for 8 x 20 fl oz bottles |
| Cost per serving | $1.03 | $0.87 |
| Cost per liter | $3.49 | $1.48 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $3.33 | $3.24 |
Tailwind Endurance Fuel price checked at Tailwind Nutrition . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Thirst Quencher price checked at Target . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from dextrose and sucrose. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Some Tailwind Endurance Fuel flavors have caffeine (up to 35 mg per serving); the others have none.
- 8.4% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypertonic.
Ingredients
Dextrose (Glucose)*, Sucrose*, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sea Salt, Potassium Chloride, Organic Mandarin Orange, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide. *Non-GMO
- Sugar from sugar and dextrose. No low-calorie sweeteners listed.
- Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.
- 5.9% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Water, Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Monopotassium Phosphate, Gum Arabic, Ascorbic Acid (to Protect Color), Natural Flavor, Glycerol Ester of Rosin, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Beta Carotene (Color).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Tailwind if
- you want more sodium: 372 mg vs 162 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 108 mg vs 48 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want magnesium: 14 mg per 12 fl oz vs not on the label
- you want the option of a caffeinated flavor: up to 35 mg per serving
- you want a powder tub that is light to carry and mixes into your own water
Pick Gatorade if
- you want a lighter salt dose: 162 mg vs 372 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want less sugar: 21 g vs 30 g per 12 fl oz
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.48 vs $3.49
- you want a ready-to-drink bottle with nothing to mix
Where to buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, and it never changes the data or rankings. Affiliate disclosure.
Tailwind Endurance Fuel
Full Tailwind Endurance Fuel labelAll Tailwind Nutrition drinks
Other Tailwind vs Gatorade matchups
Tailwind Endurance Fuel vs Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder
Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 20% more sodium than Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder per 12 fl oz (372 mg vs 310 mg). Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 2.3 times the sugar of Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder per 12 fl oz (30 g vs 13 g).
Tailwind Endurance Fuel's label is for one scoop serving in 10 fl oz (296 mL) of water; Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder's is for one scoop serving in 12 fl oz (355 mL) of water. The table converts both to 12 fl oz.
| Per 12 fl oz | Tailwind Endurance Fuel | Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 372 mg | 310 mg |
| Potassium | 108 mg | 140 mg |
| Magnesium | 14 mg | 0 mg |
| Carbohydrate | 30 g | 21 g |
| Sugars | 30 g | 13 g |
| Calories | 120 kcal | 90 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.49 | $2.14 |
Tailwind Endurance Fuel label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Tailwind Endurance Fuel price checked at Tailwind Nutrition . Source (opens in a new tab)
Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder price checked at Gatorade (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Tailwind Endurance Fuel at Tailwind Nutrition on Sep 24, 2026 and Gatorade Thirst Quencher at Target on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Tailwind or Gatorade?
Per 12 fl oz, Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 372 mg sodium, 108 mg potassium and 14 mg magnesium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has 162 mg sodium and 48 mg potassium. Per liter that is 1,047 mg vs 457 mg sodium. Gatorade Thirst Quencher doesn't list magnesium on the label.
Does Tailwind or Gatorade have more sugar?
Tailwind Endurance Fuel: 30 g sugar and 120 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed. Gatorade Thirst Quencher: 21 g sugar and 84 kcal per 12 fl oz, no low-calorie sweeteners listed.
Why do Tailwind and Gatorade list different serving sizes?
Tailwind Endurance Fuel's label is for one scoop serving in 10 fl oz (296 mL) of water and Gatorade Thirst Quencher's is for a 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle serving. Comparing the labels as printed gives 310 mg vs 270 mg sodium, but on the same 12 fl oz it is 372 mg vs 162 mg.
Which is cheaper, Tailwind or Gatorade?
Tailwind Endurance Fuel worked out at $1.03 a serving, $3.49 a liter and $3.33 per 1,000 mg sodium (30-serving bag at Tailwind Nutrition, checked Sep 24, 2026). Gatorade Thirst Quencher worked out at $0.87 a serving, $1.48 a liter and $3.24 per 1,000 mg sodium (8 x 20 fl oz bottles at Target, checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Tailwind Endurance Fuel compare with Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder?
Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 20% more sodium than Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder per 12 fl oz (372 mg vs 310 mg). Tailwind Endurance Fuel has 2.3 times the sugar of Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder per 12 fl oz (30 g vs 13 g). Per liter as mixed, Tailwind Endurance Fuel costs $3.49 and Gatorade Endurance Formula Powder costs $2.14.
Does Tailwind or Gatorade have caffeine?
Some Tailwind Endurance Fuel flavors have caffeine (up to 35 mg per serving); the others have none. Gatorade Thirst Quencher has no caffeine.