Bottom Line
The Katadyn BeFree is an excellent choice for backpackers looking to save money, weight, time, and pack space with their water system. This microfilter is affordable, has an unbeatable flow rate, and is easy to clean in the field. We like to pair it with a soft water bottle; together, they make for a very convenient way to stay hydrated on the trail. Check out how Katadyn’s BeFree compares to our other favorite water filters.
Quick Specs
Katadyn BeFree
Best Ultralight Water Filter
Price: $45
Weight: 2.3 oz.(including 1 L soft bottle)
Flow Rate: 2 L/min
Filter Pore Size: .1 microns
Lifetime Volume: 1000 L
Pros
- Less expensive
- Excellent flow rate
- Ultralight
- Compact
- Easy to clean in the field
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited bottle compatibility
- Clogs easily
Water Quality
Because the BeFree is a filter, not a purifier, it won’t remove the smallest virus particles from your water. If you’re in an area where viruses are a big concern, you may want to bring a purifying chemical treatment, such as drops or pills, to use with your BeFree.
Ease of Use
If you’re fine with drinking straight from the BeFree, which is how we typically use it, filtering water is as simple as finding a source, filling your bottle, and drinking. If you’d prefer to filter into another bottle, all you have to do is fill the soft bottle and squeeze water through the filter.
The Katadyn BeFree water filter has become one of our go-tos for ultralight backpacking. This microfilter has an incredible flow rate and can be cleaned in the field. You can drink straight from the top like a sports bottle, so you can spend less time squeezing or pumping and more time enjoying the trail.
Treatment Time
When the BeFree is brand new or freshly cleaned, it has an unbelievably quick and smooth flow rate. If you choose to filter water into a clean bottle instead of drinking straight from the BeFree, it only takes a minute or so to filter a liter.
Because the BeFree is a microfilter, it can clog quickly if you filter from particularly silty or debris-laden sources. If you’re having trouble with a slow flow rate, give the bottle with your BeFree attached a vigorous shake to restore a good amount of flow. A powerful waterfall also does a good job cleaning it; just don’t drop it!
Weight
The BeFree is amazingly light, weighing just 2.3 oz, including the soft bottle. The filter itself is only 1.2 ounces. If you swap out the stock soft flask for something more versatile, it fits on many other bottles, allowing you to drink straight from the filter to eliminate the need to carry a separate bottle for dirty water.
Maintenance & Longevity
We’ve been using the same BeFree filter for two years while covering hundreds of trail miles, and it’s still going strong. It’s easy to clean, so you can keep bringing it back to life over and over again if the flow rate diminishes. We’re sure there is a limit somewhere, but we still haven’t found it after a lot of hard use and gnarly water.
It’s normal for the flow rate to slow down over time with water filters. When the flow rate starts to diminish on your BeFree, it’s incredibly easy to bring it back to life. Unlike other microfilters that sit in a plastic housing, the filter element of the BeFree is exposed in a perforated tube. This makes it easier to dislodge silt and other floaties that can cause it to clog. To clean it in the field, fill your bottle about halfway with water, screw on the BeFree, and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. This is usually sufficient to restore the flow rate until you can get to a sink or hose to clean it thoroughly.
Should you Buy the Katadyn BeFree?
If you want a lightweight, hassle-free filter system with no tools needed to clean it and a durable squeeze pouch, this is probably your water filter. The only reason we might steer you away from this filter is if you’re filtering water for more than yourself, you want to attach the filter to a bladder, or you’re kind of a brut on your gear.
Other Water Filters to Consider
Sawyer Squeeze Review: Both filters are affordable, ultralight, compact, and easy to use. However, Sawyer is the grandfather of compact, lightweight water filters and is trusted for its decades-long success in providing safe drinking water to backpackers.
Platypus QuickDraw Review: It has a comparable flow and is just as easy to clean but a bit heavier. QuickDraw’s filter is external to your bladder and made of more durable material than the BeFree. It can also be threaded to many bottles with its internal and external threads and attached to a hose + bladder system.
