Seeking thoughts on Katadyn’s BeFree

[Rusty Beaver]

I’ve been out of the gear loop these last several years…and without time to research, had to come up with a filter on the fly the other day. My only option was the Katadyn BeFree. My wife and I just used it on a 3 day trip. Have to say I was really impressed! Fairly light and compact, easy to use, and seemed to flow a lot better than I recall my Sawyer Mini flowing.

How does it compare to others at the moment, in terms of reliability, weight, longevity, etc? Will the filter screw onto anything else besides the rubbery feeling bladder it came with?

[Bob Shuff]

I like my BeFree for the reasons you mentioned. It hasn’t clogged for me and I also have a 2 Liter Hydropak bottle that fits the 44mm filter/thread. I’ve used all the Sawyer products, but would only take the Squeeze with an Evernew or Cnoc bag as the squeezereally does flow and stay clog free longer than the mini or micro and I don’t trust the Mylar bags Sawyer provides (albeit on hearsay – not a problem I’ve had personally).

I have not tried the Platypus filter that some people seem to like it also uses the standard size thread as Sawyer that also works for Smart Water bottles.  I might consider this (or the squeeze) for a base camp scenario with a gravity setup

OMMV but I find the BeFree the best light and good out of the box solution for on trail.

[Brad W]

If you want to do a deep dive watch these videos. This particular episode he talks about each filters effectiveness and how that translates to risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJOiCztnXfY I find the log reduction interesting and someone who filters 2 days a week, I like to stack the odds in my favor. That being said I have BeFree and Squeeze. Befree gets most use, Squeeze is brought when filtering from animal heavy sources.

That is the downside of the Befree-it’s 42mm threads. If your dirty water bag breaks and you can’t field patch it-your filter is worthless. The TPU bags need a special patch-many won’t stick. Gear-aid Type A works. With a Sawyer, attach it to Smart water bottles or similar-which is all I carry for water storage anyhow.

[Paul D]

For AT  hiking, that’s all I use.

[dirtbag]

I use BeFree and/or Sawyer. Both work with my hydropacks as I modded the Sawyer to be compatible.

[dirtbag]

[Dan]

Although this filter is rarely mentioned for some reason, I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the hydroblu versa.

[Alan W]

I used Sawyer on AT. Worked OK for a long time, but had short durations between backflushes by end of trail. I never tried demineralizing or removing “bio scum” using vinegar.

Switched to BeFree for Colorado Trail in 2019. I LOVED ease of filling and high initial flow.  Alas, BeFree filters became hopelessly plugged on long trail stretches after about 5 days or 80 to 100 miles.  Repeatedly.  I went through 4 or 5 thinking I got a lemon – or 2 or 3 in a batch – or that I could become more and more careful about filling with pristine source. No joy though. I ended up carrying 2 filters and having REI resupply mail waiting in next town.

I still have the BeFree bottles and a couple of filters.  These are loaned to novice friends & family when they go with me, to make life easier for them while exploring being self-sufficient.  These filters have not been long trips like a through hike.

I now clean these loaner BeFree filters at home with a strong backflush (water hose), vinegar soak, & demin. water flush.  Of course, this is not a practical method on a long hike. So far, no more plugging failures.

But, I still will not trust the BeFree filters for > 4 days or 60 miles where I typically hike (CO, NM, far west TX, AZ).

I marvel that many people say never any trouble with BeFree plugging. Different water composition, short hikes with good home maintenance, or what?????

For myself, since I am often on trail for >= 5 days at a time, I’ve been using the Hydroblu Versa with CNOC bladder since 2020. I find these easier to use and faster than Sawyers, in my hands. Threads on both ends, make backflushig easy. Light, self-retained water-tight caps on both ends are handy. Higher flow rate is nice. Not yet sick. No field failures.

[dirtbag]

Interesting.  I may try that.  I have used everything here or there.  Was loving my steripen for a few years until it started to krap out.. went back to squeezing.. that definitely warrants a try for me.

[Bob Shuff]

@dirtbag – do you have a parts list and/or instructions for that mod to use the 28mm filter on a 42mm container?

[Arthur]

My experience in the Rockies from north to south and Arizona and Utah are the same as Allen W.  Hard water, soft water, crystal clear water, makes no difference.  I cannot count on the BeFree for more than a couple of days.  I have tried every possible ways of cleaning, chemicals, storage.  Same results.

[JCH]

I had settled on the OG Squeeze and Platypus carbon filter (we sometimes have some skanky sulfur water in the SE) for my DIY gravity system. Been quite happy with it, but just ordered a Hydroblu Versaflow and the carbon element add-on to try out. Should be interesting to see if there is a weight or performance advantage.

[dirtbag]

@ Bob.. Let me check. All it really required was an old be free that you can take apart. There was an article somewhere breaking it down step by step. Shoot me an email , [email protected] and when I find it I will forward to you.

[Ross Bleakney]

I think the general consensus is that BeFree is the best for a while but gets clogged quicker than Sawyer. It is still the filter I use, but I can understand why someone would feel like it isn’t worth the hassle.

[Rusty Beaver]

Thanks a bunch, everyone! All very helpful. The Hydroblu Versa sounds good.

[jscott]

Steripen. No clogging ever.

[Rusty Beaver]

Thanks, Jscott. I took the Steripen route for a year or two. Was nice when it worked. Didn’t always work though…and I’m not a fan of relying on batteries and tech in the backcountry. Decided it wasn’t for me.

[DirtNap]

Hydrou for the win. I’ve used almost every other product on the market. Back flushing with a smart water bottle is really slick. I mostly do 3l Cinoc (dirty scoop)>Hydroblu>3l narrow mouth Platy. You have to work the threads on the Cinoc the first few uses. You can also go direct to smart water and squeeze/roll. The captured silicone end plugs are great for rigging up a camp wash station.

Most Befree users I know bring multiple backups “just in case”. I will say the flow of the Befree is impressive and probably the best. But the shake to clean thing is a scamnand they should remove it from their marketing. I used the full line of Sawyers for a decade until I switched to Hydroblu.

[dirtbag]

I ordered the hydroblu the other day. Getting it today.  I am going to use on my upcoming trip in a few weeks.  When it works.. my Be Free flows like the river wild.

[jscott]

understood about the Steripen. Others have said the same thing. IME, the Steripen is more reliable than a filter. I take care of it–nothing special, but I’m aware that it has a glass component–and have never had a failure over ~300 days of real backpacking. I started using a squeeze boggle filter (as I called it) when they first came out. Clogging became an issue, even in the pristine waters of the Sierra. After the Steripen, I never looked back. One has to learn the limits and advantages of every piece of gear. Its requirements. For some it may seem that Steripens have to be babied. fair enough! For me, it hasn’t been an issue.

[Bob Shuff]

I found this https://threepointsofthecompass.com/2023/08/30/gear-talk-converting-a-42mm-neck-hydrapak-bladder-to-fit-a-28mm-thread-water-filter-the-hack/ related to the 42 to 28mm mod described by @dirtbag.  Seeing this and the other responses, my interest in the HydroBlu Versa and Carbon Filter is peaked.  I will need to give it a try.  I was at REI earlier and looked for a ReSupply BeFree for the mod.  They show up there from time to time, but nothing in stock today, and I’m not quite ready to tear apart my working filter.

[dirtbag]

That’s it @bob yes!  Let me check this weekend thru my gear. I’m sure I have 1 or 2 dead BeFree in there, if so I can send it to you.  Not 100% sure I have one, but I might!

[dirtbag]

I know this is kind of sort of off original topic.. thoughts on Be Free.  So.. first off,  I do like the BeFree. Right now, again, and lately it has been my Go – To filter.  It has its problems weather you like it or not, like most gear.  But it does work for me.  I have had a few of them block up on me and no flow. But that is always at home when I test it, before I go out on my trips.  I have bought a few of them due to this.  I did like what I heard and read about that hydroblu ,  so why not give it a run?

1. Got it today and I will play with it in next few days with the intention of using it on my next trip in a few weeks.  Only gonna be 3 or 4 days so no real time trail testing,  just wanna see if what I think about it. I will say it is pretty large,  so it better have good steady flow.. we will see..

[JCH]

@Dirtbag – have you gotten a chance to weigh the VersaFlow?  I have been using the full size Squeeze and the VF doesn’t look any bigger.

I’m hoping the VF + Carbon element is lighter than the Squeeze/Platypus Carbon combo, but at the least it should eliminate the extra plumbing that combo requires.

[Russ W]

I have used a BeFree with no issues but do have a few nits… I do not like the proprietary 42mm bladder and I do not like the way the filter sticks down into the bladder, interfering with being able to filter 100% of the volume. The bladder seems to be a potential failure point as well.  I thought the problem was partly solved by using a 42mm CNOC bladder instead, but I had a separation issue on a trip that caused me to question their overall bladder reliability. CNOC replaced, but….

I have had 2 separate Steripen failures that did not involve mishandling…they just quit working and Katydan provided poor customer response.  Glad some of you don’t have these issues. I’m making it a point to be shed of Katadyn products.

For the last several trips, including a 7-day SEKI venture last week, I used the Versa Flow,  combined with a 2-liter Platypus bladder and Smartwater bottles, all 28mm threads. I used the bladders for dirty water and loosely screw the bottles for clean. So far the system has performed flawlessly. (Also, an old Platypus bladder cut down makes an awesome shallow water scoop.)

Versa Flow = Good

BeFree = Meh

Steripen = @#&÷#

Katadyn = No Bueno

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