Veloforte Mixed High Protein Crunch bars

The Veloforte Mixed High Protein Crunch bars extend the firm’s reputation for providing “real food” alternatives to often overly engineered sports nutrition. They offer a natural, textured experience that prioritises clean ingredients over artificial sweeteners. However, there are some significant dietary and professional caveats to consider.

The bars are available in a mixed pack featuring Peanut and Sea Salt, Cocoa and Stem Ginger, and Lime and Coconut. Unlike the super sweet, candy bar style of many modern protein supplements, they are remarkably natural. If you prefer a “clean” taste that doesn’t leave a sugary film on the palate, they are excellent.

They are aptly named: a ‘Crunch’ bar in the truest sense. These are hard bars that require a fair amount of chewing to get through. As they are quite large and dense, it takes a few minutes to finish one. This makes them feel like a substantial snack rather than a quick bite on the go.

Nutritional profile and ingredients

Each bar packs a decent 20g of protein, making them a competitive option for post-ride recovery. A unique addition to the formula is the 5g of collagen per bar, aimed at supporting joint health and skin elasticity — a nice bonus for high-impact athletes. This is all packed into a 254 calorie bar, which I think is a reasonable ratio.

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However, it is vital to note that this collagen is bovine-sourced (derived from cattle). This makes the bars unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans. Surprisingly, the packaging isn’t as transparent as it perhaps should be regarding the animal-derived nature of the collagen, which is a major oversight for a brand that typically appeals to those on a plant-based diet.

Professional and competitive use

For those who race under anti-doping regulations, there is a major red flag: these bars are not Informed Sport tested. While the ingredients are natural, the lack of third-party batch testing means there is no formal fallback or guarantee for athletes should any cross-contamination occur. If you are a competitive athlete, you’ll likely want to skip these in favour of certified alternatives.

Practicality and value

The wrapper design is excellent-easy to open, even with tired hands, and the bars hold their shape well without melting or crumbling.

At £3.30 per bar when bought in a three-pack, the price is fair for a premium, natural product, albeit at the higher end of the market. They become more affordable if you buy in bulk or commit to a subscription with various options available. You can get the price down to £2.30 per bar if you commit to buying 24 bars every six weeks.

An option which I personally have really enjoyed in the past is the Styrkr Bar+, which packs 15g protein per bar, alongside 45g carbs. These are vegan friendly, but some, like Ben who tested them for us, may find them too sweet. They are also quite expensive at £32.99 for a pack of 12, or just under £3 per bar.

Another option is the Tribe Protein Flapjack, which comes in at £18 for a 12-pack. Each bar offers 7g of protein though, which is a little lacklustre. They are a vegan option though, and Hollis thought they were decent for the most part. They fall apart a little too easily though.

Conclusion

The Veloforte Mixed High Protein Crunch bars are a refreshing alternative for the “clean eating” cyclist who values natural flavours and high-quality protein. They feel like real food, they taste great, and they provide a significant nutritional hit. However, the lack of Informed Sport certification and the non-vegetarian collagen source are two very important factors to check before you stock up your cupboard.