Research-Based

RuckPack Review – Are These Energizer Shots Really Effective?

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By Leslie Waterson

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

RuckPack Review

A sharp mind can go a long way in the modern world today. It can be the difference between having a productive day and a lazy one. It can be the reason you get that new job or promotion. In fact, it could be what lifts you up and helps you finally achieve your most enticing goals. 

Unfortunately, many of us struggle to obtain the focus, energy, clarity, and overall brain power that we need on a daily basis. It might come around every now and then, but that brain power never seems to be available when we need it most. Instead, we’re left with a dull mindset. 

What if we said it didn’t have to be that way? What if there was a supplement out there that could help strengthen your brain, provide that energy, and give you the mental boost you need? Well, look no further because that’s exactly what RuckPack Energizer Shots are designed to do. 

So, what is RuckPack? And are these Energizer Shots truly all they’re hyped up to be? We’ll take a closer look at these shots and see if they can truly boost your energy in this review of RuckPack. Ready? Let’s dive in!

RuckPack Energizer Shot Supplement by RuckPack

What Is RuckPack?

RuckPack Energizer Shot is a liquid supplement formulated and manufactured by RuckPack Combat Nutrition — a company founded by Rob Dyer, a former Marine Corps Officer. It was originally designed for Marine Special Operations Forces in the battlefields of Afghanistan. 

Today, the 3 oz. liquid shot is available to just about anyone looking to boost their energy levels, enhancing daily recovery, maintaining a positive mental attitude, improving joint health, increasing mental acuity, and boosting the immune system. It’s the little shot that does it all!

The RuckPack brand has been featured on Bloomberg TV, but their real break came on the Shark Tank in 2012. Dyer ended up accepting an offer from both Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec, who helped take his company to the next level with their expertise and advice.

In addition to being a peak performance supplement that helps the body and mind from all angles, RuckPack Combat Nutrition is devoted to giving back. They have pledged to give a minimum of 5% of their profits to non-profit organizations across the United States. 

RuckPack

RuckPack Ingredients

It’s clear that the RuckPack Combat Nutrition brand is one that anyone can get behind, but that doesn’t always mean they offer a good product. In order to get a good idea of how good their energizer shots really are, you’re going to need to take a look at the formula and ingredient label.

Don’t worry, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the ingredients used — which includes Vitamins B3, B6, B7, B9, and B12, L-Citrulline-DL-Malate, Beta-Alanine, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, Caffeine, L-Theanine, Alpha-GPC, and Coenzyme Q10. RuckPack does also include 5g of sugar per serving, and while that isn’t too much there are sugar-free options out there, such as Strike Force Energy, if you’re looking to keep your sugar intake lower.

RuckPack Energizer Shot Supplement Facts

B Vitamins

There are 13 essential vitamins that we must consume on a daily basis for normal functioning of the human body. Of those 13, eight of them are considered B Vitamins and five of them are found in the RuckPack Energizer Shot formula. We’ll take a closer look at each one below:

  • Vitamin B3 – breaks down food for energy, enhances the metabolic process in cells, improves communication between cells, and increases expression of DNA in cells.
  • Vitamin B6 – vital for amino acid metabolism, breaks down food for energy, improves brain development, and enhances immune function.
  • Vitamin B7 – breaks down food for energy, improves communication between cells in the body, and enhances the regulation of DNA.
  • Vitamin B9 – vital for DNA replication, improves metabolism of vitamins and amino acids, and essential for proper cell division.
  • Vitamin B12 – forms new red blood cells, vital for DNA synthesis, enhances brain and neurological function, and necessary for fat and protein metabolism.

A majority of the B Vitamins our body receives on a daily basis comes from the foods we eat — such as meat, dairy, green leafy vegetables, and other healthy foods. With that said, many people don’t eat enough and can use a little boost every day — which is why we see it here.

L-Citrulline-DL-Malate

Source: an amino acid that’s combined with malate (necessary for energy production); commonly found in watermelon, garbanzo beans, soy, and peanuts; known as a precursor to arginine, which then converts into nitric oxide

Benefits: increases nitric oxide levels in the body, improves blood flow, vital for the urea cycle, promotes vasodilation, widens blood vessels, increases energy (malate), reduces blood pressure, increases growth hormone

Recommended Dosage: no more than 8,000mg per day

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, even in large amounts

CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine

Source: a patented form of beta-alanine; a non-essential amino acid that works together with histidine to form carnosine (stored in skeletal muscles)

Benefits: reduces lactic acid buildup in muscles during exercise, increases time to exhaustion, increases performance during high-intensity and short-duration workouts, increases muscle endurance, reduces fatigue, increases lean muscle mass, reduces oxidative stress

Recommended Dosage: 2,000-5,000mg per day

Side Effects: can cause paraesthesia (tingling of the skin) when taken in high doses

N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine

Source: an amino acid produced naturally in the body with the help of phenylalanine; commonly found in cheese, chicken, turkey, fish, and dairy products

Benefits: produces dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and melanin, improves mental performance in high-pressure situations, increases alertness

Recommended Dosage: 500-2,000mg per day

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, but shouldn’t be taken with certain medications

Caffeine

Source: a chemical naturally found in the leaves and beans of the Camellia sinensis plant (where green tea comes from)

Benefits: blocks the effects of adenosine, increases alertness, improves mood and brain function, increases metabolism, improves athletic performance, promotes glycogen resynthesis (recovery)

Recommended Dosage: no more than 400mg per day

Side Effects: caffeine overdose when taken in high amounts

Alpha-GPC

Source: also known as Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine; a choline source derived from sunflower lecithin; found in small amounts in the body

Benefits: crosses the blood-brain barrier, precursor to acetylcholine, improves memory, boosts mood and energy in the brain, increases clarity and alertness, boosts development of new brain cells

Recommended Dosage: 400-1,200mg per day (every 1,000mg of Alpha-GPC is equal to about 400mg of choline)

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, but could produce fatigue, nausea, headaches, and GI issues when taken in large amounts

L-Theanine

Source: a non-dietary amino acid; commonly found in green tea; structurally similar to L-glutamate and L-glutamine

Benefits: crosses the blood-brain barrier, lowers blood pressure, promotes relaxation, improves thinking ability and focus, enhances mood, balances brain chemistry, regulates cognitive health, reduces side effects of caffeine, increases production of neurotransmitters, boosts alpha and theta brain waves

Recommended Dosage: 200-400mg per day (no more than 1,200mg per day)

Side Effects: generally regarded as non-toxic and safe, but shouldn’t be taken by those on medication for high blood pressure

Coenzyme Q10

Source: also known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone; a natural antioxidant produced in the body; utilized by every cell in the human body

Benefits: fuels the mitochondria, acts as the cell’s source of energy, converts fat into energy, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, protects brain cells, reduces brain fog and cognitive decline, enhances production of neurotransmitters, vital for neuroprotection

Recommended Dosage: 30-400mg per day 

Side Effects: generally regarded as safe, but shouldn’t be taken with certain medications

RuckPack Dosage, Packaging, and Pricing

The RuckPack Energizer Shot has an attractive packaging design that fits its intention very well. It comes in a 3-oz. bottle and each box comes with 15 bottles. The box and bottle share the same design, featuring an all-black exterior with neon green lettering and accents throughout. 

There are three different flavors available — citrus, strawberry, and raspberry. The citrus and strawberry share the black design, while the Raspberry comes in a white design. The citrus has 240mg of caffeine, the strawberry has 120mg of caffeine, and the raspberry one is caffeine-free.

Here’s a brief look at the citrus ingredient label:

  • Vitamin B3 – 20mg
  • Vitamin B6 – 4mg
  • Vitamin B7 – 300mcg
  • Vitamin B9 – 400mcg
  • Vitamin B12 – 500mcg
  • L-Citrulline-DL-Malate – 1,750mg
  • CarnoSyn® Beta-Alanine – 500mg
  • N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine – 500mg
  • Caffeine – 240mg
  • Alpha-GPC – 150mg
  • L-Theanine – 120mg
  • Coenzyme Q10 – 100mg

While the citrus and strawberry share the same formula — with the exception of the caffeine content — the raspberry flavor features an entirely different formula to make up for the lack of caffeine. This might appeal to someone looking to avoid caffeine, but still wants an energy boost.

RuckPack Energizer Shot Packaging

No matter which formula or flavor you decide to go with, they all cost the same. You’ll get 15 bottles in a box and each box costs you $50 — just over $3 per bottle. You can also get a sample pack that gives you two of each flavor. The sample pack costs just $21 for all six bottles. 

RuckPack Pros vs. Cons

By now, you know a little background about the company behind the RuckPack Combat Nutrition brand, the ingredients utilized in the RuckPack Energizer Shot formula, and everything else there is to know about this supplement. That’s enough info to help you decide if it’s right for you.

With that said, you might still be on the fence or simply want a rundown of everything we discussed above. Don’t worry, we’re going to break everything down into a simple, easy-to-read pros vs. cons list. That way, you have all the information and details you need in one place.

Let’s get started!

Pros

  • Featured on Bloomberg TV, Shark Tank, Entrepreneur Magazine, People Magazine, and Military Times
  • Available in three different flavors (citrus, strawberry, and raspberry)
  • Available in 120mg caffeine, 240mg caffeine, and caffeine-free formulas
  • Contains five B Vitamins to improve energy metabolism and brain function
  • L-Citrulline-DL-Malate increases nitric oxide production
  • Beta-alanine reduces lactic acid buildup
  • N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine improves cognitive performance in high-pressured situations
  • Caffeine increases energy and improves alertness
  • Alpha-GPC is a choline source that increases acetylcholine production (memory)
  • L-Theanine promotes relaxation and reduces side effects of caffeine
  • Coenzyme Q10 fuels energy production in the mitochondria and acts an antioxidant
  • 3-oz liquid shot is very easy to consume and only takes seconds
  • Manufactured by and for Marine Corps Officers
  • Has the support of two Shark Tank investors (Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec)
  • 5% of profits go towards non-profit organizations across the country

Cons

  • Currently all sold out on their official website
  • Doesn’t contain Acetyl-L-Carnitine
  • Not available in capsule form
  • Expensive when taking it every day ($100 per month)
  • 240mg caffeine is more than twice the daily recommended amount

Claims vs. Reality

RuckPack Combat Nutrition designed their Energizer Shot to improve everything from alertness to energy, attitude, joint health, acuity, immune function, and cognitive ability. After taking a look at the formula and all the ingredients that make it up, it’s safe to say they hit it right on the mark.

The caffeine and Coenzyme Q10 will certainly provide the energy you need, but the L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine will help reduce the side effects that come with it — while promoting relaxation and performance under stress. Alpha-GPC will also improve cognitive ability and memory. 

L-Citrulline and Beta-Alanine will help improve nitric oxide production and reduce lactic acid buildup. Both of these benefits will improve the way your body functions on a daily basis, especially during workouts and physical activity. You also can’t forget the use of B Vitamins. 

Overall, the formula contains everything you need and nothing you don’t when supplying energy and improving mental ability. It’s a well-thought-out and effective formula. The only downside is the 240mg of caffeine, which can be avoided by choosing one of the two other flavors. 

RuckPack Energizer Shot has benefits of alertness

RuckPack Competitors & Alternatives

Compared to its competitors, RuckPack Energizer Shot is a high-quality and extremely effective option. If you’re looking to boost those energy levels and improve the functioning of your body when needed the most, RuckPack Combat Nutrition makes it easy with just a 3-oz sip of liquid. 

In fact, it’s going to be hard to find anything like this on the market today — making it worth the $100 investment per month. There are other alternatives out there that pack a lot of quality, but they don’t do it all like the RuckPack Energy Shot does. They’re all one-hit wonders. 

For example, Performance Lab is home to several formulas in capsule form, like Performance Lab Energy, that are just as good as RuckPack. The thing is, you would have to purchase multiple different formulas to get all the benefits. Of course, that would end up costing you way more than you were expecting. 

There’s also HVMN Nootrobox, which is really four supplements in one that improves energy, mental function, sleep, and overall health. Again, that’s going to end up costing you more than $100 per month since it’s not all in the same formula — and you’ll have to take a lot of capsules.

As you can see, RuckPack Energizer Shot is one of the best options out there when you’re looking for an all-in-one formula. If you’re looking for something in capsule form, you’ll have to settle for something from Performance Lab or HVMN Nootrobox — which isn’t bad, just costly.

Final Verdict: RuckPack Energizer Shot

RuckPack Energizer Shot is in a league of their own, which is largely why Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec were so interested in the company when it was featured on Shark Tank. The brand has only gotten better since then and is the only one of its kind available today. 

RuckPack Energizer Shot-Focus Shot

It does everything you need it to and is very easy to add to your routine — all the benefits are just a 3-oz sip away. It might not be as easy as taking a capsule, but you won’t find any capsules that pack the quality and benefits all in the same formula. It’s what makes RuckPack valuable. 

If you’re ready to get the most out of your day and perform like you’ve never performed before, then don’t hesitate to give the RuckPack Energizer Shot a chance. Better yet, go with the sampler pack to see which formula is right for you — caffeine, double the caffeine, or no caffeine. 

RuckPack FAQ

As you read through the supplement review above, you’ve likely gathered several questions that you need answered before making a final decision on whether or not this is the right formula for you. Don’t worry, we’re going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions for you!

What are nootropics?

Nootropics are a unique line of supplements and/or ingredients that contribute to a healthy and well-functioning brain. A majority of the ingredients have been utilized for their cognitive benefits for thousands of years, but scientists and researchers still find new ingredients to this day.

Nootropics benefit cognitive function in five major ways — mood, energy, focus, memory, and brain health. Let’s take a closer look at each benefit below and how nootropics help:

  • Mood – nootropics increase the production, synthesis, and release of dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters associated with a better mood.
  • Energy – nootropics influence the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body’s main way of transferring energy from one cell to the next.
  • Focus – nootropics increase the production, synthesis, and release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, two neurotransmitters associated with alertness and focus.
  • Memory – nootropics increase the production, synthesis, and release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with better learning ability and memory.
  • Brain Health – nootropics reduce oxidative stress, regulate inflammation, and improve blood flow to the brain, which helps slow down cognitive decline and protect the brain.

Through these five benefits, nootropics can help you enjoy a better, healthier, more rewarding, and more exciting lifestyle on a daily basis. Some nootropic supplements target one benefit, while other formulas target all benefits — such as the RuckPack Energizer Shot detailed above.

How much caffeine is too much?

Caffeine consumption comes with a great deal of benefits, but it can be just as dangerous if not taken properly or as directed. Too much of it can quickly cause symptoms of caffeine overdose, which include difficulty breathing, nausea, hallucinations, confusion, fast heartbeat, and more. 

To avoid this, you should never consume more than 400mg of caffeine per day, no matter what the source is. That includes caffeine from soda, coffee, energy drinks, tea, espresso, and even chocolate. As long as you remain under 400mg per day, you should be free of side effects. 

What makes a good nootropic stack?

Nootropic supplements are all the rage right now. In fact, you can find nootropic formulas just about anywhere these days as more supplement companies jump aboard the hype. With that said, not all nootropic stacks are created equal and some can do more harm than good. 

Here are some of the things you should look for when searching for a high-quality nootropic formula: 

  • Research-backed ingredients
  • Clearly-listed ingredient dosages (no proprietary blends)
  • Free of additives, fillers, banned substances, and artificial flavors
  • Safe for daily use without needing to cycle it on and off
  • Supplements with good customer reviews and feedback
  • Capsules are the easiest to take, but not your only option
  • Price — many formulas today are overpriced

It’s important that you do your research before purchasing a nootropic stack. It’s fairly easy to spot the good from the bad when you know what to look for and what to avoid. The good news is RuckPack Energizer Shots are one of the good ones available in today’s nootropic market. 

Overall Rating:
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Leslie Waterson

Leslie has been passionately involved in the health and fitness industries for over a decade. She is constantly reviewing the latest scientific research and studies in order to take a research-backed approach to lifestyle optimization. Her main areas of interest include nutrition and supplementation. Leslie shares her findings on Fitness Clone to help other health enthusiasts choose the products and routines that will help them achieve their goals.