Katadyn Befree

I use the Katadyn BeFree as my main water treatment. Love it, works great when it works great… problem is that once it starts to clog sometimes there’s not a damn thing you can do to fix it. I typically replace the cartridge once or twice a year and it’s no big deal. Went on a trip last week and it started crapping out on me the first day.

2020 - Katadyn Befree. Significantly faster flow rate than a Sawyer squeeze, can filter water almost as fast as I can drink it. However, it uses proprietary threading/ bags, and it is not backflushable, limiting its lifespan and offering few options to restore flow if the filter becomes clogged in the field.

As stated: "The Katadyn BeFree filter is a 0.1 micron absolute hollow-fiber water filter that is 99.99% effective for removing protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and 99.9999% effective for removing bacteria. It is rated for 1000 liters of use which might sound limited, but is the equivalent of 200 days of use at 5 liters per day.".

I’ve owned all of the Sawyer iterations, Hydroblu Versa Flow, Katadyn BeFree, Grayl Ultralight, and now the QuickDraw. BeFree - Finicky, prone to clogging/slowing exponentially, especially if you don’t pre-soak properly before your trip. You can restore some filters with vinegar and distilled water. But compact the scoop and pour function definitely makes them worth it for short trips.