WHICH ENERGY DRINK DELIVERS THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK?

“You drink energy drinks?”

Many a Gallantry Man love themselves a good ol’ energy drink, an item that continues to soar in its popularity (and for good reason, too). After all, there’s nothing like a wild ice-cold energy drink concoction to rev your motor up during those times when you or your non-responsive body parts are feeling a little bit fatigued and need a little shock to the system, you know what we mean?

“Yeah. Yeah I drink energy drinks.”

Whether you’re working a long shift, need a little pick-me-up before hitting the gym, want to get pumped up before hitting up your favorite gaming console, or you are looking for something to get you fired up before hitting the town, an energy drink can no doubt help give you that little extra boost you crave during a lull time when you just need a little something-something to get those batteries crackling again good and proper.

“How many times a week?”

With great power, however, comes great responsibility, and the power that can be unleashed by energy drinks is no joke. Believe it or not, in some parts of the country, the butthurt patrol is so scared of the energy drink that the beverage type is actually banned altogether (at Middlebury College in Vermont, for example, the administrators have actually banned energy drinks for fear that they might lead to increased sexual activity).

“Like three or four times. Three or four times, maybe.”

Most energy drinks primarily knock your socks off with their stimulant compounds like caffeine (hey, coffee is popular for a reason). Caffeine (most caffeine in your typical energy drink is synthetically produced in Chinese pharmaceutical plants, hitting you faster but also moving up the timeline on a potential crash) works by inhibiting your adenosine receptors, those brain hormones we need to sleep. Once the caffeine makes its way into your bloodstream, it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to experience its benefits, with maximum kick-in activating between the 30 and 60-minute mark. From here on out, the effects of the caffeine will begin to cool.

“Gotta pump those numbers up. Those are rookie numbers in this racket.”

Like most things in life, caffeine carries with it both pros and cons. On the pro side, caffeine can help provide you with extra mental stimulation and help you with cognitive performance in the realm of increased attention and reaction speed, not to mention physical stimulation. On the con side, more than 400 mg of this stuff a day (the amount declared safe for the typical healthy adult by the Mayo Clinic) could put your heart in the danger zone (i.e. at risk) for crap like heart damage, increased blood pressure, and a rise in stress hormones. That’s why the caffeine-sensitive, competitive athletes, the pregnant (we love our pregnant Gallantry Women, don’t we?) and most definitely people with underlying cardiovascular disease should always consult with their physician first before going to pound town on one or more of the bad boys known as energy drinks.

“I myself. I drink energy drinks at least twice a day.”

With so many energy drinks out there, however, it can be difficult to pull the trigger when it comes to deciphering ingredients (like guarana, taurine, etc.), sugar levels (The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams of sugar consumption for men and 25 grams for women per day), and more when choosing the right energy drink for the right occasion. The good news is that we’re cutting out the heavy lifting for you by rounding up a few of our current favorites so that you don’t have to do that annoying grunt work known as research the next time you’re feeling sluggish and need some adrenaline.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not so extreme and 10 being extremely extreme, I give this recommended energy drinks for the Gallantry Man article a 10!”

- “Extreme” Guy, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle

Hot damn, we’re getting thirsty just thinking about all these frickin’ rad energy drinks. So, without further adieu, let’s GET SOME and review some of the energy drinks we’re digging the most at Gallantry Man Headquarters these days…

“Have you dudes ever had Bang?”

BANG

To put it simply, calorie-free, sugar-free BANG energy drinks are, well, bangin’. This smooth, powerful, refueling, refreshing, and revitalizing line of the potent brain and body-rocking fuel, the brainchild of BANG CEO Jack Owoc, didn’t become one of the top-selling brands in America as a fluke. With an insane variety of available flavors, each BANG energy drink packs a walloping 300 mg of caffeine per can (more than most brands). With its added creatine, essential amino acids, and even CoQ10, we definitely recommend BANG Energy drinks for the endurance-seeking gym rats out there looking to fuel their destiny.

“BANG ENERGY DRINKS ARE EXTREME!!!!!!”

As for our personal favorite flavors? We’d have to go with the Cherry Blade Lemonade, the VPX Bang Peach Mango (which packs Super Creatine and is gluten-free), and the Bang® Purple Kiddles™ Military (because the ‘Merica can look extra badass).

Put bedtime to bed with one of these energy boosters.

Jocko Willink, Gallantry Man Legend

JOCKO GO

When it comes to JOCKO GO, the pre-mission, physical and cognitive force multiplier energy drink faction of Jocko Fuel (an ORIGIN USA product) from legendary Gallantry Man Jocko Willink, you know nursery time is over.

Crafted in America, built to work, and made for life, Jocko’s all-natural (no artificial colors or flavors), pasteurized, energizing, keto-friendly (it’s carb-free), low-calorie (each can contain 5 calories) nootropic formula stands out because it combines cognitive support with clean energy, while simultaneously boasting less caffeine (95mg, enough to still help you stay alert and concentrate) for a healthy energy drink alternative (i.e. cleaner energy that provides fuel with less risk for jitters and/or crash).

Other ingredients include Alpha GPC (which increases acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain that helps with memory and learning function), bacopa (keeps you focused and prevents mental fatigue, i.e. sympathetic hyperactivity based on decreased parasympathetic activity that can be induced by prolonged cognitive load), theanine (helps improve blood flow and mental function, lower cholesterol, and prevent high blood pressure, not to mention assist you in keeping jitters, anxiety, stress, and mental impairment away by increasing the levels of the calming neurotransmitters serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA), theobromine, and monk fruit (sweeter than sweeter but with zero sugar).

“The last thing I wanted on a mission was to be overstimulated by something loaded in caffeine and sugars. If you want to be better in life, grab a GO in any Wawa nationwide and fuel your life with something better for you.”

- Jocko Willink, retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer

Clean fuel, no excuses. That’s the Jocko way. You can watch Jocko break it all down for you right HERE . #GOTIME

Oh, also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win right HERE .

“I need an extreme REIGN Total Body Fuel energy drink RIGHT NOW!”

REIGN

Ready to make it REIGN? We hear you. Loud and clear. After all, REIGN Total Body Fuel (our favorite REIGN energy drink) is definitely a champ in the performance energy drink category.

Innovative, better-for-you, and flavorful, each one of these bad boys contains a mere 10 calories, 300mg of natural (not synthetic) caffeine, absolutely zero sugar/artificial flavors/colors/sweeteners, CoQ10 (required for the proper function of many organs and biochemical reactions in the body and helps provide energy to cells), BCAA’s (branched-chain amino acids that have been shown to build muscle, decrease muscle fatigue and alleviate muscle soreness), electrolytes, and B-vitamins (B3, B6, and B12 for post-workout recuperation) to help the athlete Gallantry Man out there perform at his absolute peak.

REIGN is similar to BANG, but it is absent the super creatine, vitamin C, and synthetic caffeine. So if you’re looking for another type of pre-workout, mid-workout strength, or post-workout recovery energy booster that won’t scare your wallet, consider giving Reign Total Body Fuel (Orange Dreamsicle is our jam) a chance.

#YOURREIGNYOURRULES

“Dude! You forgot to name drop Rockstar!”

ROCKSTAR

ROCKSTAR ENERGY, founded in 2001 by Russ Weiner, has been around for two decades for a reason. It just got acquired by PepsiCo for $3.85 billion…for a reason. The reason? People seriously dig this stuff. With over 20 flavors, it initially differentiated itself from Red Bull by being 16 ounces instead of 8 ounces (but at the same cost).

In the United States of America, Rockstar Energy Drink Original contains 160 mg of caffeine per 16 ounce can (not to mention 250 calories and 63g of sugar), while the Rockstar Punched energy drink contains 240 mg of caffeine per 16 ounce can. In other words, you’ve got options with this drink when it comes to the caffeine front.

The Rockstar Recovery, meanwhile, is low calorie and includes electrolytes.

As it pertains to ingredients, Rockstar energy drinks contain caffeine, sugar (stay clear of this one if you’re looking to stay clear of sucrose/glucose sugar), as well as herbs like

panax ginseng, ginkgo biloba (said to help with memory and thought problems, anxiety, vision problems, and other cognitive issues), milk thistle extract, and guarana seed (helps with athletic and mental performance, as well as obesity issues), to name a few, and 1000mg of taurine (an amino acid that supports neurological development while regulating water and mineral levels in your blood).

If you’re especially prone to jitters and anxiety or are concerned with calorie count and sugar content, the original Rockstar may not be the best option for you. However, if you’re looking to pregame or party? Well, you didn’t hear it from us, but, er, this stuff bumps.

“Bro. What about Monster?”

MONSTER

Photo Credit: The Spun by Sports Illustrated

“If we gon’ do something here at LSU, we do it full speed, my man.”

- Coach O (Ed Orgeron), talking about his Monster obsession

For some reason, Monster energy drinks seem to be the preferred energy drink of brosefs looking to get extra hyped in America. Cajun legend Coach O pounds an intense 8 to 10 taurine and sugar-packed Monster energy drink tallboys to get hyped each and every day during the college football season. The most Gallantry Man Best Buy Manager in America (Tupelo, Mississippi) “stone colds” (named after Gallantry Man legend Steve “Stone Cold” Austin) Monster energy drinks to hype himself (as well as his employees) up during the holiday season. The list goes on.

“UNLEASH THE BEAST!”

The Monster energy drink really is a monster. At almost 19 years old with over 39 drinks to choose from, Monster owns a 35% share of the energy drink market (the second highest after Red Bull).

Personally, our Monster pick would be the Monster Energy Zero Ultra (we dig the less sweet, refreshing, lighter tasting flavor profile), since drinking one regular can of Monster is the equivalent to eating five and a half Krispy Kreme donuts (in terms of sugar content). With zero grams of sugar, 140 mg of caffeine (synthetic), and only 10 calories per 10.5 ounce can, it’s a solid choice for a workout (it has more B vitamins than Red Bull, and also includes performance-enhancing amino acids like L-carnitine and L-tartrate, as well as inositol, which can boost your brain’s neurotransmitters in a positive way) or any occasion when you need a mood booster, memory enhancer, or performance jolt.

“I feel like some NOS, instead.”

NOS

Each smooth, nitrous technology-infused, tropical mango-flavored 16 ounce can of NOS packs a solid 200mg of caffeine to hit you with some seriously kick-ass high-performance energy, not to mention enhanced mental focus. With a blended formula that also includes vitamins B6, B12, taurine, inositol, and guarana, a NOS energy drink can definitely help fuel up, fire up, and supercharge with that legendary NOS 100mph power.

If it comes down to strapping in and taking charge versus sitting it out, we’ll choose the former every time.

Boom.

“Daddy’s gotta go to work.”

- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, ZOA Chief Energy Officer, Furious 7

ZOA

Made with the hard-working Everyday Warrior in mind, ZOA, the brainchild of its 10-time champion wrestler Chief Energy Officer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is designed to support healthy immunity while providing focus and balance.

The ZOA formula contains a unique blend of 100% DV Vitamin C (from natural sources including Camu Camu berries, a superfood native from the Amazon rainforest, as well as Acerola cherries, packed with powerful antioxidants that protect your cells and bolster your immune response), B1, B2, B6, and B12 vitamins (to support mental energy), BCAA’s (branched-chain amino acids to supercharge muscle growth), electrolytes (to keep you hydrated), choline (to boost metabolism), and 160mg of clean caffeine from natural green tea extract and unroasted green coffee beans.

You’ve got options when it comes to the gluten-free ZOA, too. While the regular 100 calorie ZOA contains a combination of natural sugar and Stevia, the 15 calorie ZERO sugar ZOA is sweetened with a blend of Sucralose and Ace K.

“It’s ZOA time, baby.”

ZOA is perfect for the Gallantry Man that wants a great-tasting energy drink with healthier and higher quality ingredients than you might find in other energy drinks.

“Couple of Gallantry Men like yourselves? You should give ALANI NU a good ol’ college try.”

ALANI NU

Created by fitness entrepreneur Kay Hearn in 2018 and made in the USA without fillers or gimmicks, the hormone-balancing ALANI NU energy drink is formulated with your wellness needs in mind. As such, each sugar-free 10-calorie can contain 200mg of caffeine, Biotin (to help your natural glow), and essential B vitamins.

If you’re looking to sample one of the most trusted wellness items on the market, definitely give ALANI NU a try.

In the 2006 Gallantry Man Action flick Crank, Los Angeles hitman Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) gets poisoned and must keep his adrenaline flowing constantly in order to keep himself alive. One of his methods? Chugging friggin’ energy drinks, bro!

RED BULL

We’d be remiss not to include the best-selling (7.9 billion cans are sold a year) energy drink in the world (not to mention The Godfather of Red Bull Vodkas and Jagerbombs everywhere) in our list of recommendations. Available with (each 8.4 ounce can has 110 calories, 26 grams of sugar, and 80mg of synthetic caffeine) or without sugar (each sugar-free Red Bull has 10 calories and 80mg of synthetic caffeine), your typical can (recyclable aluminum) of Red Bull has a mix of B6/B12 vitamins, taurine, niacin, and pantothenic acid in order to help you focus (you know, give you wings).

“Just read me the Gallantry article about energy drinks, bro.”

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right? So if you’re looking to get in the right mood or have nothin’ but a good time, you can always stick to the basics and enjoy the original energy drink.

XYIENCE

Last, but not least, is the XYIENCE energy drink, which just kicked off the college football season with a brand new Barstool Sports partnership. Each sugar-free, low-calorie (10-20 calories to be precise) can pack caffeine, L-Theanine (for energy and focus), and is available in 8 great-tasting flavors for those times when you want to tailgate without the guilt.

“Man, I really wish I had a Sling Bag from Gallantry to store my favorite energy drinks in.”

All this energy drink chatter has us, well, wanting to get even more EXTREME! In other words, we want to show you Gallantry Man Legends our hottest Sling bags, each one perfectly sized for stowing away an energy drink for later.

Action!

GALLANTRY MAN SLING BAGS

You could and should put your energy drinks in these killer everyday carry bags. Each one is perfect for any Gallantry Man or EDC/energy drink enthusiast.

THE SLING BAG FROM BELLROY

Whether you’re traveling the world or traversing terrain in your own backyard, moving naturally means using the right pack. Bellroy’s premium leather sling allows you to store all your gear in one convenient spot, so you can maneuver around obstacles with ease. The water-resistant sling has quick-access front storage, a main compartment with a soft-lined pouch for your shades, padded back paneling, and soft nylon webbing straps. It also has an expandable gusset for extra equipment and a magnetic strap clasp, so you can undo the sling and relax when you reach your checkpoint. Always stay light on your feet with this durable sling pack.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Environmentally certified dyed premium leather
• Water-resistant
• Quick-access front compartment
• Gusset expands and self-compresses
• Magnetic strap clasp
• Nylon webbing straps
• Soft-lined pouch for sunglasses
• 9.05” L x 13.38” H x 3.94” W
• 7L capacity

Sling Bag

$99.00

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Sling Bag

$99.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Whether you’re traveling the world or traversing terrain in your own backyard, moving naturally means using the right pack. Bellroy’s premium leather sling allows you to store all your gear in one convenient spot, so… read more

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THE BLACK X-POD SLING PACK FROM CODE OF BELL

Designed as an alternative to the common backpack, Code Of Bell’s X-Pod is a compact and versatile bag -- free from the bulk of a full-size pack while still large enough to accommodate your typical daily loadout. The latest version of this black-on-black storage solution boasts a 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon main compartment and waterproof laminated Dimension-Polyant VX Series X-Pac fabric for the front shell complete with weatherproof YKK zippers and Hypalon zipper pulls, breathable padding, custom-made hardware, and a main self-locking magnetic strap buckle. The X-Pod also boasts two independent compartments, a concealed zippered rear pocket, a trio of mesh zippered pouches, and a pair of quick-access compartments. Able to be worn across the body, at the hip, or carried via its top grab handle, this highly-adaptable bag can conform to a wide variety of uses and setups.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon and Dimension Polyant VX Series X-Pac exterior
• Custom hardware & Fidlock magnetic buckle
• 2 independent expandable compartments
• 2 quick-access zippered pockets
• 1 hidden zippered pocket
• 3 zippered mesh pockets
• YKK zippers with Hypalon pulls
• Top grab handle
• Includes detachable 15.4 oz compression straps and 2 shoulder straps
• Multi-purpose attachment points
• Key hook clasp
• 2.3L volume expandable to 4.5L

THE BLACK ANNEX LINER FROM CODE OF BELL

Code Of Bell is well known for its innovative takes on the sling bag. The ANNEX LINER builds on this approach, with a sacoche (satchel) style bag that can be used as a sling bag (over the shoulder, or across the body) or held in the hand like a clutch. Like an extension of your pockets, the Annex Liner is sized to also carry a tablet, up to an 11" iPad Pro or similar. The shoulder strap can be removed to carry it as a clutch, as the top grab handle can be stored inside the rear pocket. Also comes with multiple attachment points on both the front and back of the bag to hook your keys and other EDC items. And a clip at the tip of the loose end of the shoulder strap allows you to attach the end to the bag to avoid getting tangled while in motion. Lean, mean, and imminently portable: The Annex Case from Code of Bell.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Waterproof fabric used on front compartment
• YKK water repellent zippers
• Two independent compartments (both front and main compartments are expandable)
• Rear concealed sleeve pocket x1 w/ magnetic snap button
• Stowable top handle grip (can be folded into rear sleeve pocket)
• Removable shoulder strap to be used as a clutch bag
• Inner slip pockets x3 + pen holder x1
• Tablet sleeve x1 (fits up to an 11" iPad Pro)
• Multi-purpose attach points (front and rear)
• Key hook strap x1
• Shoulder strap clips x2 (plus x1 on the loose end of strap)

Annex Liner

$119.00

[tab-section data-sc-active-background="#ffffff" data-sc-other-background="#ffffff" data-sc-color="#555555"][tab title="Details"] Code Of Bell is well known for their innovative takes on the sling bag.  The ANNEX LINER builds on this approach, with a sacoche (satchel) style bag that can be used as a sling bag… read more

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“I cleaned out Gallantry’s Sling Bag inventory and now my life FRICKIN’ RULES!”

A FINAL THOUGHT ON ENERGY DRINKS…

With energy drinks, the quick, easy way to get fired up, every day can be the friggin’ Fourth of July.

Sure, there are some issues when it comes to energy drinks and the heart, but hey – everything in life involves some risk. Energy drinks may cause abnormal heart rhythm, other complications( including an increased risk for heart malfunction as well as high blood pressure risk), so definitely be sure to consult with your physician before letting a rip.

Also, and especially if you have a bunch to do the next day, do give yourself at least 5 or 6 hours to wind down from your last energy drink before hitting the sack.

In the meantime, keep your fridge stocked with energy drinks (it’s nice to switch up from coffee with this change of pace) and your closet loaded with legendary sling bags to store them in because brother, you are set.

“Man, that Gallantry Energy Drink article was SO EXTREME!”