Introducing: Nääk

The first thing you notice about the company Näak is its name. The 'Ä' looks Scandinavian or even German. However, the company is based in Canada and was founded by two former triathletes from France. The two dots are not an umlaut but a reference to the company’s beginnings.

Näak was founded by William Walker and Minh-Anh Pham in Montreal. Their goal was to develop sports nutrition for long distances that isn't overly sweet, provides long-lasting energy, and adheres to sustainability principles.

In line with their commitment to sustainability, Näak avoids problematic ingredients like palm oil and uses environmentally friendly alternatives. Instead of animal-based proteins, Näak typically uses plant-based alternatives. For athletes who prefer not to completely forgo animal protein, Will and Minh introduced protein sourced from crickets. The dots on the 'Ä' are inspired by cricket antennae. Currently, only vegan products are available in Europe. Näak stands for "Nutrition for Adventurous Athletes who run Kilometers."

We first met the Näak founders in 2022 at the UTMB Expo in Chamonix. William and Minh had a small, simple booth with minimal decoration. Despite this, there was a long line in front of their booth, and the sample products were very well received. Since then, a lot has changed. Näak is now an official technical partner of UTMB, and their products are available at all 'by UTMB' race aid stations. Näak also supports successful trail runners from German-speaking countries, including Hannes Namberger and Rosanna Buchauer.

Energy Waffles for Endurance Athletes

One of our favorite products from Näak is their Energy Waffles. These are two thin waffles connected by syrup, making for a practical energy snack. Waffles are always a good choice, whether before training, as a "mini breakfast," or during a long bike ride. They are not as heavy as an energy bar but still provide solid nourishment.

Näak's Drink Powders come in watermelon and lime flavors. These drink mixes are designed for athletes aiming to perform at their best over long distances. They differ from other sports drinks by including protein, which helps prevent muscle damage and enhance endurance. Carbohydrates remain the primary energy source in these drinks. Näak uses a mix of simple and complex carbohydrates, including dextrose, maltodextrin, and gluten-free oat flour. We recommend this product especially to athletes who have issues with fructose, as it uses glucose as its carbohydrate source.

 

Soup as Energy Source

A notable addition to sports nutrition is Näak's Salty Soup. This savory sports drink is fantastic for those who need a break from sweet sports nutrition. It's like vegetable broth for endurance athletes, with a flavor that stands out, especially when consumed warm.

The Ultra Energy Purees are designed specifically for ultra-endurance activities and provide an alternative to traditional energy gels or sports drinks. The Sweet Potatoes & Butternut Squash flavor is a refreshing change from typically sweet sports nutrition products. The texture is similar to baby food and feels like "real food." This product is definitely developed for the ultra category but also works well for hiking and other low-intensity activities.

 

The Näak Ultra Recovery-Mix boasts a high protein content and low carbohydrate profile, making it ideal for blending into fruit smoothies or complementing post-activity carbohydrate intake from energy bars or carb-rich meals. It’s also a great option for low-carb runners.

The cricket protein powder will soon be available in Europe. So if you're looking to try something new, check back with us soon. Stay hungry. Yours, Jonas & Florian

Here you can find our Nääk Range.

 

This text was first published in LAUFZEIT 3/24.