I like Maurten gels and have been taking them for a while, however, there have been multiple times I can't get the packs open, including during my last 2 races. I even try pre-tearing them just enough so they aren't fully open, but enough that there should be more for me to grip and tear away. I can get them open just fine if both the pack and my hands are dry, but not if I'm sweaty, and especially not if it's also raining.
When I try, the whole corner rips off, but none of the part holding the actual gel opens. I've never had this issue with any other brand of gel, but again, I like Maurten better because it goes down so much more easily, doesn't have much of a taste, and isn't sticky. I've realized the difference in packaging is that Maurten gels have some sort of lining under the foil.
The final straw for me was during my half on Sunday. I planned to take 2 gels (around miles 4.5 and 9). I even brought 3 in case I couldn't get one open. They were all pre-torn. I grabbed the first one and the corner ripped off/couldn't get it open. The same thing happened with the next 2.
I then removed one of the safety pins from my race bib and used it to stab the pack multiple times until I could get some of the gel out. I did the same with the second gel. I was doing this all while trying to race, so ended up stabbing my hands a few times in the process. Not fun.
tl;dr: Does anyone have a trick to getting Maurten gels open with sweaty hands or is there an alternative brand similar to Maurten consistency that are easier to open?