Best Filter On the Market Today? Katadyn BeFree 3L Water Filter Review

Up for review today is the Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 1L. Luke loves the filter but....that bottle is strange!
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Price : $44

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[TheOutdoorGearReview]

This obviously isn't the video that I intended to put up today but the Tent Tip video had a Youtube glitch so I deleted and reuploaded....coming next week!
- Luke

[trauma]

The Sawyer squeeze filter is more versatile and cheaper. If you want, you can add a CNOC bag for the same price.

[aikirunner]

Why wouldn’t you gravity filter with this bag? It seems that it perfectly designed for gravity filter. As for the bail, you can use a carabiner or other cordage.
Also you can’t have a hard bottle, it has to be soft flask. A hard bottle would create a vacuum and the water would stop flowing.

[DENNISHARDY]

Honest review, and very honest and helpful criticism of its shortfalls, well done

[alexanderweaver]

Hi Luke and Susie! Great review. I've been a proponent for the Sawyer systems for several years until this past winter. I also used the Vapur bottles, one of them having a filter. Recently I found the Grayl Ultralight Purifier which can process 500ml of water in 15 seconds just with downward pressure; no squeezing or fumbling with multiple containers is involved. Using it I saved almost three pounds of pack weight. I used to carry two one liter Smart water bottles (5 pounds) plus the Sawyer Squeeze or Mini in a kit with syringe, straw, , a plastic scooper cut from a generic water bottle and the Sawyer 1L container empty in a small canvas pouch. Now I carry one liter of water (2.5lbs) and the empty Grayl which weighs 3.52oz (saving me almost 3lbs of pack weight). Another cool factor is that the Grayl somehow eliminates the funky taste associated with most purification methods. Corporals Corner has a video on the Grayl's larger version. The 500ml version comes in four colors: black, blue, orange and green which I bought from Amazon for $59.95. I ordered a second one to add to my car kit. BTW the larger version is $85 and processes 550ml.

[wisenber]

BeFree are okay, but they're rated for 1000 liters versus a Sawyer mini at 100k gallons. The Sawyer also has better options for attachment with the standard 28 mm vs the BeFree.

[timothymcfadden]

Purchased mine due to seeing you use yours in multiple vids Luke. Thanks for the tips and heads up on this filtration system.

[getyourfitonproductions]

I agree...the bag needs major improvement and would love for BeFree to come out with a hard bottle companion. BUT....It is my favorite water filter. I have never had any issues with it and I love he water flow and how easy it is to clean.

[RegrettablyLongwinded]

I know this isn't the most recent review, but for anyone watching, I think the gravity filter kit they put out with this filter and the 3l bag solves a fair amount of problems. It gives you a nylon webbing strap for hanging and carrying that adjusts long enough to sling over a shoulder, as well as an output hose that makes filling things much easier. It adds weight, but I'm someone who hikes to camp instead of vice versa, so it's worth it IMO.

[Gutterfighting]

I bought one after you showed it the first time. I like, and agree with you both regarding the proprietary threading. Man, if they just offered a 1L or 32oz plastic or metal bottle or changed the threats to fit a majority of bottles, they'd have one if not the best system. Awesome review as usual. Clint

[sierramichelle]

I thought this was the best thing on the market so I purchased it a couple years ago. I've used it maybe 5 times on backpacking trips and it broke on our last trip. The grey handle near the mouth broke and then it stopped filtering completely, no amount of swishing or backwashing made it work any better. I'm going to be purchasing a Platypus Gravityworks 2.0L filter for my next trip. I don't think the BeFree is a durable product.

[DeBeuLioU]

When I started watching gear videos to renew all my stuff with actually good gear, there was 3 clear winners everyone seem to use and rave about: silky saws, fjallraven pants, and the katadyn filters.
The reviews didn’t disappoint, this filter is clearly in its own league :)

[norwegianoutdooradventuren]

I use the pump version from Katadyn, it works fantastic and fits the Nalgene bottle.
Great vid guys.

[Elikim]

You can use CNOC bags if you buy 42mm bags directly from CNOC website.
The end of befree filter screws off and can attach to standard 28mm thread adapters used with Sawyer products.

[evopan]

Great video you two, there is nothing wrong with this video at all. You struck the right balance.

[kimhodgson]

i use the adjustable strap to hang 3L bag in camp and filter tube into my water bladder and can walk away. it works great for this but The tube needs an adaptor that fits a smart water bottle. I do love this filter and though the 3L bag is everything you said it can collect water really fast due to the wide mouth opening. Thanks for your reviews, so helpful to me.

[Oceanwheel]

You can take the sport cap off the Katadyn, screw on the blue ring adapter that came with the Sawyer Squeeze, then on the opposite side of the blue ring, you can screw on a 1 liter smart water bottle or if your using a CNOC Vecto as a "clean" water bladder you can screw that into the blue ring adapter. Check it out.

[brandonplank]

Susie has an increasing role on the channel. Very nice especially when compared to other outdoor channels!

[robalan]

I like the Sawyer Squeeze and Steripen. The Aquamira Frontier Max looks good and I may give it a try.

[cmargheimable]

I had an issue with mine not filtering any water. I spoke to customer service and they informed me I needed to soak the nozzle in water. Seems to work well now.