Merry Christmas everyone! This holiday, I received a 1-liter Katadyn BeFree Filter Bottle instead of the Sawyer Squeeze I had asked for. I’d love to hear from the community about the advantages and disadvantages of the BeFree compared to the Squeeze.
You must have been on Santa’s ‘Nice List’ this year!
OutdoorGearLab has an excellent comparison of both. Check out their website for a detailed review.
Fraser said:
OutdoorGearLab has an excellent comparison of both. Check out their website for a detailed review.
For those interested, here’s the link: The 5 Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2024 | Tested
@Rory
Thanks for the link! The review notes that while the BeFree and Sawyer are closely ranked, durability seems to be a concern for the Katadyn as compared to the Sawyer, despite the known issue of Sawyer bags breaking. Also, I noticed some reports of the BeFree bottle leaking. Can anyone confirm if the Sawyer filters are more versatile with different water containers than the BeFree?
@Hayden
Sawyer filters fit most standard threaded bottles, which makes them quite versatile. The Sawyer Squeeze, for instance, can be used with a typical smart water bottle.
Keenan said:
@Hayden
Sawyer filters fit most standard threaded bottles, which makes them quite versatile. The Sawyer Squeeze, for instance, can be used with a typical smart water bottle.
That’s useful to know! Does this mean the BeFree is limited to Katadyn’s own products?
@Hayden
The BeFree is actually quite adaptable as well. It fits standard mouth soft flasks and smart water bottles too.
@Hayden
I use the BeFree with HydraPak’s 2L bottle which is great for easy filling and doubles as a good water storage solution on longer hikes.
@Hayden
Both the BeFree and Sawyer use standard thread sizes, 42mm and 28mm respectively, so they can be used with compatible bottles and flasks from other brands too.
@Hayden
When using the BeFree, it helps to remove air from the bag before filtering. This reduces pressure on the bag and extends its lifespan. I’ve followed this method for years without issues, unlike a friend who experienced frequent leaks due to not removing the air.
I chose the Katadyn after much research and have been very pleased with its performance. It’s quick and easy to clean, which was a major factor in my decision.
Team Katadyn here too! It’s always performed well for me in various conditions.
The BeFree has excellent flow rate and is super easy to fill, which I value highly. Just be aware it doesn’t filter out chemicals or viruses, which isn’t usually a concern unless you’re hiking near agricultural or industrial areas.
I switched from the BeFree to the Sawyer due to clogging issues. The ease of back flushing the Sawyer made it a better choice for me.
Having used both, I think you ended up with the better deal. The BeFree’s ease of use and flow rate are hard to beat.
A tip for the BeFree: make sure to wet the filter before each trip to ensure it works efficiently right from the start.
Keenan said:
A tip for the BeFree: make sure to wet the filter before each trip to ensure it works efficiently right from the start.
Really helpful tip! I had issues last time because I didn’t pre-wet the filter.
Just a heads-up, avoid using the BeFree with flavored or electrolyte-enhanced water as it can damage the filter.
There’s a slight difference in the filtration level with Katadyn filtering to 3 microns and Sawyer to 2 microns. Depending on where you hike, this might affect your choice.