Friday, January 7, 2011

Stride 2.0 Spearmint

Taste: Feelin' the love. The first chew is a nice blast of spearmint, and immediately smooths out to a sweet minty joy. It's not too strong at all, and Stride's claims of superior flavor longevity are really justified here. I've chewed this gum for longer than I could keep track of, and the flavor never waned. It really is "ridiculously long lasting."

Texture: I honestly cannot imagine a better textured gum. I can see it being slightly too soft for some, and I had one messy incident where it was stuck all over my lips, but that was becuase I was being an idiot and smearing it all over my lips while I was stuck in traffic and horribly bored. But, for me, this gum is smooth and malleable. There is an ever-so-slight squeak, so you might not want to enjoy this gum at a board meeting or funeral.

Presentation: Stride updated its background graphics for the 2.0 experience. Though it's nothing worthy of great praise, it's a pretty , wavy, eye-catching "ripply" pattern.

Overall: Spearmint is the only incarnation of the 2.0 generation that I could find, but I'm looking forward to trying other flavors. (I'm also interested to see if the new formulation eliminated whatever it was that was causing Katie to get sores on her tongue.) On the inside of the pack is printed, "Stride 2.0. We've upgraded Stride. Yeah, you're welcome." Thank you, Stride. This is a winner, indeed.

Rating: ooooo (five gumballs)

Happy New Year everyone! We're back and better than ever! Don't forget to email us your requests, Like us on Facebook, and follow @gumalert on Twitter! If you tweet, please use the hashtag #gumalert when you chew to let us know what you're chewing!!

63 comments:

Anonymous said...

where can you find this? i would really love to try this!

Shannon said...

I found it in three-packs in our local Target and Walmart. I saw a blue one today (wintermint?) but I didn't pick it up...

Edixon said...

Se ve delicioso, una buena menta puede competir con cualquier sabor frutal. Sabes siempre me siento impotente al leer las criticas, sobre todo una critica que alaba el buen sabor del chicle, porque me deja con unas ganas horribles de probarlo :S . Oye siempre es un buen detalle como coloreas los chicles del rating, del color del empaque del chicle en cuestion jeje.

Ashley said...

Did this replace the original Stride Spearmint?

Anonymous said...

My theory is that the gum wrapper wasn't actually good for you, was poisoning people, and they "upgraded" to aluminum to eliminate this problem.

All of the other flavors are in production to be upgraded as well.







*I happen to have inside contacts to the production of this gum and help manage sale/distribution of it.

Anonymous said...

Just tried the Stride 2.0 Winterblue. I don't enjoy it at all... I want my old Winterblue back!!! I was fine with version 1.0, why did they have to change it? :(

Anonymous said...

I just picked up some Stride Spearmint 2.0. It is not good. Can the 2.0 and bring back the original flavors. The new stuff is crap. Can anybody say "New Coke?"

Anonymous said...

I just tried the Stride sweet peppermint 2.0. I don't like it at all! I now have to search for a new gum. Why did they have to change it?

Roger said...

I just got a 12 pack of Stride 2.0 Spearmint gum thinking it was the old gum, tried it and wish I could get my money back. It is horrible and will not buy anymore. I think the company will suffer dearly with loss of sales with this new gum. After chewing a pack a day since it first came out, I know I will not buy any more of it, unless the formula returns to the original.

Anonymous said...

Glad they updated the wrappers, the gum always got soggy and sticky in the old one after awhile. HATE the new flavors though. Won't be buying anymore.

Anonymous said...

I agree with everyone that 2.0 is definitely a downgrade! I can only speak from my experience with Sweet Peppermint, my FORMER go-to gum. Guess the search for a new go-to is on!

Anonymous said...

I dont like the new Stride 2.0 either... I loooove the regular ones so much better... I dont know if i will continue purchasing :(

Anonymous said...

I *LOVED* the original stride Winter Blue. I just bought a new 3 pack of the 2.0 upgrade and I *REALLY DON'T LIKE IT* I'll finish the packs I bought and find another favorite gum. I wish they hadn't changed it. I bought alot of the original gum and chewed it all the time.

Anonymous said...

There is an Uber Bubble 2.0 and Winterblue 2.0

Anonymous said...

The original was truly awesome. My favorite gum EVER. 2.0 sucks. Now I have to search for a new regular. Was chewing about a pack a day :(

Anonymous said...

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAD TO MESS WITH STRIDE. I LIKED THE ORIGINAL FLAVOR BETTER. THERE IS A FUNNY TASTE TO THE 2.0. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS. A CHEMICAL MAYBE???

Anonymous said...

2.0 sucks! I have been searching everywhere for the original, but it is gone :( Time to find a new gum. Why do they have to mess with a good thing?

Anonymous said...

Just picked up some Nonstop Mint 2.0 at Target to try out. What a disappointment!! The original version is MUCH better. This new version has a strange taste and I don't care for the white color with little green flavor spots. It goes downhill from there.

Stride Nonstop Mint was my favorite gum ever and I go through about 9 packs a week. Why, oh why, do companies have to fix things that aren't 'broken'? I may well buy up and hoard the 1.0 version of this gum while I still can.

Anonymous said...

I just combed through about 50 packs of Stride 2.0 winterblue just to get the last three regular Stride packs that were left in the back. I find 2.0's overly synthetic, chemically flavor to be repugnant. I feel obliged to punish them by not purchasing 2.0. If they put the original back on the market, I will certainly buy it again. Stride has been my gum of choice since it became available. I hope they come to their senses.

Joanna said...

Why? OH! Why?! Did Stride have to change the formula? I loved the original Spearmint, the mint lasted forever. The only drawback from the original was when it was in my back pocket, the mint would be all mushy and weird. The new "2.0" has a horrible taste, aside from the wrapper everything else is a minus from the original. Stride, I hope you will reconsider. Now off to look for a replacement. :(

Anonymous said...

I'm in with everyone else on the 2.0 front, it's a major downgrade over the original. Time to switch back to Orbit or try "5"...such a bummer.

Anonymous said...

What the heck happened Stride? All of your new 2.0 gum sucks.
Please go back. Remember it didn't work for Coke either.

Anonymous said...

I got the stride 2.0 the other day in Winterblue. I thought maybe it was me. I smelled the packageing thinking maybe it was the wrappers making it taste like plastic. It is not. It tastes bad and leaves a bad flavor in your mouth. I wont buy it ever again and either will my husband. I have been chewing this gum since it came out. Whenever I get a new pack and open it, it actually makes the whole room smell minty....not anymore. It really isn't good at all and the flavor change would be ok if it didn't have a plastic taste. I don't know what these people were thinking. I think they "Jumped the Shark" on this one if they don't bring the old flavor back. I see many complaints on the internet so it isn't just me!

Unknown said...

i don't know what chemical they put in the new stride but i get a stomach ache every time i chew it.

what is everyone else chewing who hates the new stride 2.o????

Anonymous said...

Stride 2.0 Sweet Peppermint is terrible! It is too soft, tastes a bit fruity, and has too much menthol in it that is makes me, my pocketbook and anything around it smell like a smoker whose been hiding their habit and I don't smoke! I have to seal the gum in a Ziploc bag and that still does not disguise the menthol smell! The smell of the gum even gets stuck in my nose for so long it's nauseating!

Get rid of this and bring back the original Stride Sweet Peppermint blue gum!

Anonymous said...

Why change something that was already great? I don't care for the 2.0 flavor or texture.

Anonymous said...

Stride Peppermint 2.0 - Don't bother !

Wow, did they ever botch this one. The new "2.0" has little taste, and what taste it does, it doesn't last like the original product. If this is the replacement (product), you can count me out.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said... when you get the sticks unstuck from the -package the sweet peppermint tastes fake.

Anonymous said...

2.0 sux... I think people should call the 800 number on the package and ask them to bring back the old stride... I called them and there sending me free gum...

Anonymous said...

I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one who thinks the 2.0 is HORRIBLE!!!!!! I've chewed Sweet Peppermint since it first came out, a few packs a week. Now I'll have to switch back to Orbit I guess - SO DISAPPOINTED!!!!! The original lasted forever and was perfect!!!

Anonymous said...

Same here... 2.0 taste like wax!! CHANGE IT BACK!

Anonymous said...

Here's another one who can't stand the taste. Go figure, this is the *first* time I've ever bought a 3-pack. I didn't see the 2.0 so I figured it was just regular Winterblue. I soon realized it wasn't when I tasted cardboard during the first chew. Thankfully the cardboard taste isn't that strong after you chew it for a minute or so. That being said, I'm going to finish the rest and move on to another brand after I'm done.

Anonymous said...

Stride 2.0 is totally vile. What on Earth were they thinking?

Bazooka Joe said...

I bought a 12 pack at BJ's wholesale club thinking it was the original spearmint. I had one piece and was done. The flavor was OK, but didn't last anywhere close to the original. I complained via email to the parent company, Kraft Foods, and they sent me a reimbursement check within a few days. If you don't like it, complain and they'll reimburse you: stridegum@casupport.com

Anonymous said...

Stride 2.0 is terrible!!!!!!!! I used to be able to chew the same piece of gum for 5-6 hours. This new stuff breaks down and falls apart after 2 hours. I hate it!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm SOOO glad I'm not the only one who dislikes Stride 2.0 spearmint.

Recently I ran into a convenience store to grab some. I wasn't even looking when I picked it up but later on I found myself really enjoying it and when I looked I realized it was Stride 1.0. (I hadn't picked up on the different wrapper.) As soon as I could I went back to buy them out...turns out there was only one more pack and the rest were Stride 2.0.

I like blowing bubbles but I don't like most bubble gums because they're too sweet. After trying almost all the Stride flavors I found spearmint to be the absolute best for this purpose. Stride 2.0 is much softer and takes a lot longer to firm up. The bubble-blowing experience just isn't the same and it took me finding some Stride 1.0 to confirm it.

BRING BACK STRIDE 1.0! After I finish these two packs I'm done with Stride...I'm back on the hunt for a less-sweet gum that blows awesome bubbles.

Anonymous said...

Love 2.0, screw you haters.

Anonymous said...

I've bought my last pack of Stride gum. Their 2.0 stuff is horrible.
I hope they miss me because I chew about 20 packs a week but I'll never buy anymore Stride unless they go back to the original stuff.

John Dulleck said...

I used to love Stride Sweet Peppermint until they ruined it with 2.0. Now I am trying different gums as Stride 2.0 is a waste of money in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

just bought the new stride 2.0 spearmint and definitely like the old one better...if it aint broke dont fix it...you just lost a customer

Anonymous said...

I wish they hadn't messed with perfection. The old Stride Sweet Peppermint was such a delight! I hate the new taste and texture!! I need to find a new gum :(

Anonymous said...

Yuck. I hate 2.0. My favorite gum of all time was the Winterblue original. Why would they ruin a good thing. BOOOOOO.

Anonymous said...

Stride 2.0 is actually terrible. Change it now. I'm switching. I knew after the first 2 pieces. Fix the spearmint.

Anonymous said...

I found Stride when Trident ruined their gum (same way - softer with a terrible new flavor that gives me a headache). I'm disappointed that Stride has now ruined their gum too. I suspect that the only thing that was improved is profitability.

JM said...

I am extremely disappointed with the new stride. I was an everyday buyer of the original for the past couple of years and have had to switch to orbit. I hope they switch back to the original flavoring and consistency soon!

turboseventhree said...

The new spearmint is terrible, I'm going back to chewing Big Red. (which has also gotten terrible).
Also, they used to have a gum called sweet cinnimon that was AMAZING

Anonymous said...

I hate the new spearmint, it has a foul taste. My grand kids will not chew it. I bought all the old I could find (about 6 packs) and after it is gone I'll be looking for a new chew. Sure hope they go back to 1.0 again.

Anonymous said...

I want Stide 1 back, 2 is horrible, I've asked my wife not to buy any more of Stride 2.
Didn't anyone learn from Coke's blunder years ago?

Anonymous said...

Gum doesn't last long at all anymore. The original last like 5 hours. This one is like 1 hour.

Adam H Young said...

stride 2.0 is pretty bad, I buy gum once in a while and used to like this stuff but it's pretty craptastic now. what a disappointment!

Anonymous said...

BRING BACK STRIDE 1.0!!!!! My best friend and I want our Forever Fruit back! You are losing many customers because of this change.

Stovall said...

I want the original Stride back. I do not like 2.0. It loses its flavor (almost like chewing gum with sugar in it) and it falls apart in your mouth. Or that is my experience. I LOVE SWEET CINNAMON! I search everywhere for it now and can't find it, I'm truly devistated LOL, and that's no joke!

Anonymous said...

I used to love Stride Spearmint but haven't bought it in more than a year, until recently when I picked up a pack of Stride 2.0 Spearmint. I noticed that the mint flavor does not last nearly as long and is just like gum from other brands in this aspect. A definite disappointment.

M said...

Ah! This is my all time favorite gum, and I'm so glad you gave it 5/5 and enjoyed it.

I must have missed the spearmint 2.0 review earlier when I was browsing because I saw the original Stride spearmint review and was a little disappointed with the low rating you had given it. But 2.0 is definitely better.

I always like to have a pack of this stuff with me, haha.

3OH!3 lover said...

My friend actually likes Stride 2.0 but I'm not lovin' it! I miss the original Forever Fruit. It was my favorite gum ever. I bought a pack of it and it's OKAY- they need to go back to 1.0- definetely a Stride Blew It! I agree that it's like NEW COKE- it's total CRAP!

Tina said...

I lost most of my sense of smell after a really bad cold destroyed my olfactory nerve cells (yes, this really happens, apparently more often than people think!)

Anyway, I can still faintly smell the spearmint of this gum but, of course, for me it still tastes muted, but not any more or less than most other minty gums I've tried. I'm just happy there's something I can vaguely still smell and taste. :)

Jerry Gildemeister said...

I am running toward the end of my hoard of Stride Sweet Cinnamon 1.0, so found a loczal smaall grocery that stocks the Cinnamon flavor (can't find it anywhere else in the city) and gave it a try.
Cadbury really screwed up with the change to a 'spicy' flavor along with the formulation to substantially shortening the chewing life.

I have been an avid cinnamon-flavored gum chewer for 70+ years,, especially with Dentyene, then Trident until they were no longer available locally. After a prolonged dry spell, Stride Sweet Cinnamon 1.0 became available so I stocked up on 3 boxes. Lo and Behold! Cadbury changed the formula and now offers model 2.0. Totally a bad move. I urge all lovers of cinnamon gum to contact Cadbury and urge them to return to the 1.0 formulation for better flavor and longer chewing qualities.

Jerry G. - email: candhonj-c@gildemeister-usa.com

Liana Hain said...

I have been chewing spearment gum for 40 years and I did not like Stride's new spearment gum. Am going to throw it away and stay away from this brand. It has a weird taste that is definitely not spearment. Something is terribly wrong with their new formula.

Anonymous said...

I agree completely,it was my favorite and they replaced it with a sub-par alternative, and now they changed it again... they're starting to anger me -.-

Anonymous said...

Stride 2.0 is a major FAIL for me; although the Uber Bubble flavor is pretty good and it lasts a reasonably long time with ok texture, I'm NEVER buying it again because of the TERRIBLE stomachache it gives me!!! WHY can't "food" companies EVER leave a good product the way people like it? From reading this thread I see that MOST of your customers seem to absolutely HATE the "upgrade" to "2.0". GUM IS NOT SOFTWARE people!!! It didn't need an "upgrade", especially not one that makes the consumer SICK TO THEIR STOMACH!!!

grumpyss said...

Anyone know whats happened to Doodle mint? Cant find it anywhere

Jon said...

Unbelievable they are making a mistake to say the least! The new Stride spearmint is the worst gum I have ever chewed. Threw it away.

Anonymous said...

Agree that the Blammo Stride is a downgrade. It's like chewing gum together with a tic-tac. Then there's a suspiciously bad taste after the crunching stops. The Blammo also ruins the gum texture leaving you with a small blob that seems closer to chewing pulp.
Here's a big opportunity for the company to reintroduce the original well-loved product again as "Classic Stride".