Katadyn BeFree Water Microfilter System 1L

2022-05-24T20:00:00

so far used it on one trip, worked well but long term stability of filter without backflush could be problematic but my big concern is how skimpy the website is on stuff like cleaning; really below what you would expect I'm also not sur that this really produces safe water without a extra step like iodine tablet, again the website has just a few buzz words about how good the filter is, but they are skimpy buzzwords why the lack of *real tech knowledge on the website why is there no well written PDF instruction manual ? surely they can afford to make a PDF instruction manual

Edmands P.

2021-08-06T20:00:00

Just tried a few of these on a 4-day backpack. Worked great. Filtration was fast. Mainly used with water that was clear. Like that they're re-useable. A nice alternative to the Sawyer Squeeze/Smartwater bottle combo. Will see how they work over the long term.

C B.

2021-06-22T20:00:00

Already used it on the trail. Hammock next to river. The flow out of this to my cooking pot is amazing. I filled up my backpack hydration pack because this is so fast.

GLam

2021-05-17T20:00:00

Super convenient. Packs small, filters fast. Easy to filter into other containers from this when you won't come across other water for a while. The filter also will screw onto other hydrapak water bags.

Scott

2020-11-25T19:00:00

Easier to stay hydrated because the filter isn't packed away in a bag. It's light and practical to use while traveling on the water. Very fast flow but I've heard it can slow down over time. I think it's important to get your water from clean sources (not brackish water). Noticed no plastic flavours. The bag is thin. I keep mine wrapped in a towel to protect it. If I bought it again, I'd get the 600ml version. When the 1l version is 1/3 full, it flops over your hand and is difficult to squeeze one handed, the 600ml version would be more in your hand, and easier to compress. Great filter, will purchase again if it ever fails.

Brad S.

2020-10-18T20:00:00

great option for reduce water weight on backpacking hike, but would be nice to have a attachment clip. used this for a 7 day hike and didn't even use my normal gravity feed water filtration system. get a water bucket as a good companion when at campsite on the trail.

Frank O.

2020-09-25T20:00:00

I've done one hike up Mt. San Jacinto with this and filled the bottle 3X at the Wellman's Cienega (springs). Each time, I transferred the water in the container to my Camelbak bladder and another bottle. The flow rate is pretty good and the filter rolls up small enough to fit in an outside pocket of the Camelbak. My only concern would be the plastice container getting punctured-Hasn't happened yet but I will be buying another one to carry two on my backcountry hikes where filtering water is essential. Highly Recommend!

Hiker.Biker.Climber

2020-08-22T20:00:00

I know the main concern with this thing is the high price point but in just one weekend, I have justified its purchase. Super lightweight and fast flow rate when filtering to another bottle

Marc

2020-07-08T20:00:00

I run ultramarathons and we were required to bring a water filter on course so we could refill from streams. I liked the idea of just having a bottle I could stash and put into my vest pocket and be able to fill up and go. The 1.0L bottle ended up being way too big but what I LOVED about this product is that I was able to use the top with other soft flasks, so I just switched out the flask with one of my smaller ones. Super convenient to be able to do that! The filter was easy to clean and there were no issues drinking out of the top.

Tanya G.

2020-04-27T20:00:00

several other competitors purely based on how well my BeFree performed. I truly believe the BeFree is the fastest and easiest water filter out there. The way I use it, you unscrew the top from the soft flask, dip the flask into a stream or pond, screw the top back on, and drink. The flow is incredibly fast thanks to the large filter. I can have 1L of water ready to go in under 10 seconds. I frequently filled the flask (10 secs), squeezed the filtered water into other flasks (30-40 secs to empty), refilled the BeFree (10 secs), and was on my way. This compares to other filters which are incredibly slow to filter. So what took me 1 minute to stop and grab enough water for 20 miles of running, other people had to plop down on the side of the stream and filter water into their bottles for easily 10-15 minutes. The filter can be cleaned by running it under water. You can also get replacement filters without the bottle to save cost. The filtering seems good, transforming muddy, silty water into clear, tasty water with the removal of most microorganisms. I trust it with my life. Highly recommended.

Mtn R.

2020-04-11T20:00:00

lightweight and used as one of my 10 essentials I always cary.

Jessica

2020-02-28T19:00:00

I love this water filter! I take it with me anytime I go camping. I have used it in lakes, rivers and ponds. My friends were very envious when I used it on my last camping trip. I scooped up muddy, brown water out of the lake and it filtered it clean and clear with no problem. So far the collapsible bag has been durable and haven't had any leaks. I will definitely be buying another one of these soon.

Douglas A.

2020-02-16T19:00:00

I had high hopes for this filter. With a larger diameter bottle opening it was easier to fill. However, with less than twenty liters of water filtered, it completely stopped. I live in the Rockies, and I have only used this filter in clear, cold rocky mountain streams. I followed cleaning directions closely after every uses. Then on the second day of a planned eight day trip. 25 miles from any trailhead, the filter just stopped allowing any water to pass through. Completely plugged up. I shook and swirled and no difference. The flow was great until it wasn't. Never again, back to a filter that you actually back flush!!!

BackPacker

2020-02-05T19:00:00

Used it for a 5 day hiking trip in North Carolina. It did not disappoint, the flow is great, the taste was good, and its packs away nicely empty. I didn't use it for transporting water but the bottle part feels pretty durable though a sharp object would ruin it easily. Over all I feel like it was worth the price a d I do prefer it over the Sawyer filters for less questionable water.

Cameron K.

2020-01-15T19:00:00

Used in Norway while hiking. Loved filling it with ice cold glacier water!

Dolphin D.

2020-01-03T19:00:00

This is a great unit for filtering water from lakes and rivers that you trust. Remember its only a filter not a purifier

Ken T.

2019-12-09T19:00:00

I came from a Sawyer Squeeze and didn't really think this could be much better... I was very wrong. This has double (if not more) the flow of my Squeeze and it's *so* easy to clean! Get it!!

PP

2019-11-05T19:00:00

I recently went hiking with a group and became dehydrated because I didn't drink enough water the day before the hike. I ran out of water but didn't want to ask anyone in the group for any. The guide on the hike brought this handy little water purifier and was able to get water right out of waterfall and purify it! I couldn't believe it! I thought you had to boil water to actually purify it (at least that's what they do in all of the survival shows on TV). But this little bottle actually purifies water. The guides says he's been purifying and drinking water in the mountains using this little bottle for years and has never gotten sick. I was sold and had to buy one right away!

Nightengale

2019-10-08T20:00:00

Great for our Yosemite trip in July! Helped out quite a few people who didn't bring enough to drink on the hike.

Margaret

2019-09-07T20:00:00

Excellent!!! Just put this through the wringer on a 5 day back country hunt. Worked flawless. This combined with their other bladders is a FANTASTIC system. I've used the sawyer and the sawyer mini before this blows them out of the water. Way faster and easy to keep Clean and flowing.

Rooster

2019-09-05T20:00:00

We used this in Africa to drink from and refill other bottles. This was fantastic. We never got sick.

Summer L.

2019-08-11T20:00:00

This is by far the best water filter for hikers and backpackers looking for a light weight water filter. I'm on my second one after losing my first down a snow moat. It's super light and filters about four times faster than the similar Sawyer that is popular with thru hikers and the ultra light crowd. A "game changer" as one of hiking friends described it.

Aaron O.

2019-08-07T20:00:00

I just took this on a two week scuba/sailing/beach trip to Belize and Guatemala. I am a "one bag" traveler and I was using a fold up water bottle before but it didn't fold up anymore because the hook to fold it bent. So I bought this one, and so far it's PERFECT. Light, filters water (probably does not filter bioreactive pharmaceuticals out but that ok :]) and fits anywhere. I adore this "one bag traveller" essential. Worth it!!!! Let's see how it holds up.

Science T.

2019-07-27T20:00:00

LOVE LOVE LOVE- any backpacker this is essential to keep in your bag. It filters so quickly and weighs next to nothing. We took two of these to hike Condrumn springs and our friends who had a different brand ended up using ours the whole time because it is so quick and efficient. Worth every penny when you need a water source

KR

2019-07-24T20:00:00

Best filter ever. Did not jam even once. No slow down in flow. Very happy with this product.

Kurt

2019-07-22T20:00:00

Took it on the lost coast for 4 days. It was awesome. Very lightweight and Tastes great!

Alex C.

2019-07-21T20:00:00

Great quality and very easy to use. Turned lake water into great tasting drinking water.

Quinn C.

2019-06-21T20:00:00

Nice concept but the design must change a bit. If I need to hang it, it has no way for me to hang it. I could tie a cord around the neck, but that will cut into the plastic as I move around. I am going to have to create a protective outer layer that has a way for me to hang it. It will have to support the lid and the bottom at the same time. I still like the idea of the nice soft squeeze.

WorkingTowardsBetter

2019-04-11T20:00:00

I was in South American mountains for 9 days -- in an area with a lot of livestock (cows, mules, horses). Had to drink out of the streams. I used this filtration system and did not get sick once. Either the water was that clean (which I doubt) or the filter did its job. I think it was the filter.

RC

2019-04-01T20:00:00

Handy and easy to use. Only used it for a few days of backpacking and it worked well

Albert