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We taste tested Clif Bars for you, the readers, benefit. Hard jobs we have.
We taste tested Clif Bars for you, the readers, benefit. Hard jobs we have. (Photo: iStock/Clif Bar)

The Definitive Ranking of Clif’s Nut Butter Bars

国产吃瓜黑料 staffers on which flavors they'd pack for their races and which they'd rather leave behind

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(Photo: iStock/Clif Bar)

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! .

We鈥檙e no strangers to on-the-go fueling and the laundry list of products that fall into that category. In our office is an ever-rotating roster of bars, gels, , and powders that we鈥檝e been asked to try and, at any given point, hold very strong opinions about.

But last year鈥檚 launch of 鈥攁 traditional energy bar wrapped around creamy nut butters鈥攅specially stood out. These bars, made entirely from organic ingredients, clock in at less than 230 calories with an average of ten grams of sugar and seven grams of protein in every package. The addition of nut butters brings healthy fat and natural proteins to the line so you get a more prolonged release of energy鈥攑erfect for longer-distance, lower-intensity adventures鈥攚hereas the original Clif bars contain more sugar for a quicker burst of energy during high-intensity efforts.

Since the launch, the staff debate has raged about which flavor reigns supreme or if these bars really are the magic solution to fueling that we wanted them to be. To decide once and for all, we put all seven flavors (including some that just hit stands this month) through a rigorous taste test. Here are our picks, ranked from bottom to top.


#7. Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

Launching this summer, this variation caters to those looking for a dessert-like treat. If you don鈥檛 like your fuel to be sweet, try one of the more balanced flavors.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淪woon. That is all.鈥 鈥擲cott Rosenfield, digital editorial director

What to Watch For: 鈥淚 went through three or four love-it-then-hate-it arcs while chewing. There鈥檚 something very delicious and indulgent about it, but it鈥檚 also probably a little too much.鈥 鈥擶es Judd, assistant editor


#6. Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

This was one of the more polarizing in the bunch, often coming down more to staffers鈥 bigger-picture thoughts on banana flavors in anything besides the fruit than to the bar itself.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淣o one is more surprised than I am鈥擨 thought I would hate this. But I love it! The chocolate cuts the banana flavor. I鈥檇 happily eat this for breakfast.鈥 鈥擡rin Ladd, marketing manager

What to Watch For: 鈥淭his was a little too much banana for me, and the texture came off a little mushy. But I鈥檓 always down for chocolate.鈥 鈥擬itch Breton, video production curator


#5. Peanut Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

you know and love. So did we, for the most part.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淭his is classic. It doesn鈥檛 try to do too much, but it delivers in taste and texture.鈥 鈥擫uke Whelan, assistant editor

What to Watch Out For: 鈥淭his is super tasty, but do not eat it without water! And maybe some floss.鈥 鈥擩enny Earnest, assistant social media editor


#4. Chocolate Peanut Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

Despite being a flavor combo that most people love, actually sparked some heated discussion.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淭he difference in textures between the shell and filling is really nice, especially when we鈥檙e talking about chocolate and peanut butter. Definitely a favorite.鈥 鈥擝en Fox, assistant gear editor

What to Watch For: 鈥淰ery good taste, but bordering on聽too much peanut butter. It sticks to the top of your mouth so it鈥檇 be hard to eat during a ride or run.鈥 鈥擯etra Zeiler, deputy art director


#3. Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

You won鈥檛 find any peanut butter in the top three flavors. Instead, staffers鈥 tastes skewed in favor of alternative nut butters. In the case of the hazelnut variety, it was like eating healthier .

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淭his tastes more like dessert than a protein bar, which I like. My go-to for all hiking and skiing鈥 鈥擬adeline Kelty, assistant photography editor

What to Watch For: 鈥淚 could smell it before I could taste it. So I think most of the hazelnut flavor actually came from my nose. That said, I鈥檇 totally continue to eat these.鈥 鈥擮livia Harlow, editorial producer


#2. Coconut Almond Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

鈥攖wo darlings of the performance-food world鈥攃ome together to create a pretty awesome snack. Our only real complaint? We wanted bigger bars.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淗ot damn! Makes me feel like I鈥檓 sitting on a beach somewhere and sipping a tropical drink. I love this.鈥 鈥擡rin Berger, associate editor

What to Watch For: 鈥淚 want more coconut!鈥 鈥擜leta Burchyski, copy editor


#1. Blueberry Almond Butter

(Courtesy Clif Bar)

Our favorite flavor鈥攖he one that we鈥檇 use for mid-hike fueling, campsite snacking, or just to crush afternoon hunger鈥攈asn鈥檛 even hit shelves yet. We recommend stocking up as soon as you can.

What to Get Excited About: 鈥淔reaking delicious. And those succulent blueberries!鈥 鈥擜xie Navas, executive editor

What to Watch For: 鈥淭his is basically a softer, chewier version of the original blueberry flavor. But I dig that one. So, yes, this is really good.鈥濃擟hris Thompson, visual producer

Lead Photo: iStock/Clif Bar

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