Katadyn BeFree vs Lifestraw Peak Squeeze - Which One is the Right One for You?

If you're looking for the best backpacking water filter, you've come to the right place! In this video, we'll compare the Katadyn BeFree and the Lifestraw Peak Squeeze, two of the most popular water filters on the market.

We'll compare their features, pros and cons, and ultimately help you decide which water filter is right for you. Which one will you choose to take on your next hiking or backpacking adventure?
This video compares the Katadyn BeFree vs. LifeStraw Peak Squeeze water filter for backpacking. #backpacking #lifestraw #befree #ultralightbackpacking #katadyn

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[JasonCC]

Thank you for reviewing these two. I was trying to decide which one of these when I found your review and it greatly helped my decision on the matter. Nicely done.

[benlake]

Thanks for the review and insight. I'm still learning about these, so the simple advice about avoiding freezing and how to test if the membranes have failed is very helpful. And like others have said, the need to pre-filter water is pretty important.

On pre-filtering: of course one should only be using clear, running water, but even water with sediment (not that you should be using this if you have any possible options) will also become much more clear in an hour or so just by letting the water sit, most particles will settle out. Then use the filter to get out the microscopic contaminants.

[stRanger]

You could buy whatever filter you prefer and get just a replacement membrane to mix and match.
Let's say you want more durable Lifestraw bag, but want that open membrane of Katadyn or vise versa.
You could even just buy a replacement membrane and use with a standard bottle of your choice and save on bag.

[nonservitium]

I started using the B free, I dig it. There's always room for improvement.

[YankeeWoodcraft]

Great comparison with a lot of good points made that got unsaid by the professional reviewers on YouTube, especially your take on folks who just throw any water into their filters without pre-filtering it first. I carry a coffee sock (strainer) in my kit just for that. It does 3/4's of the work so by the time your water goes through your filters, it's just getting the micro organisms.

[j-sonS]

I liked your video. I ended up buying both...plus a grayl, and a camelback-lifestraw. Family of four and we will each use a different one for thr upcoming july trip

[tomassocratesfernandez]

so helpful when you actually showed detailled use, thanks!

[Xhadp]

Thank you for this, looked at the available water filtering options and hardly see anyone talking about the Lifestraw out there in comparison to the big options. I think it is a great product that sits well with the other product lineups if you don't like the Befree's system and its "proprietary" elements such as back-flushing or non-standard threading. Another option that I might be looking at is the quickdraw.

[pys]

Thanks for sharing! About avoiding freezing, I'm looking for a flask which I can carry while skiing, do you mean they are both not able to be used in low temperature?

[bretb]

Nice review. Only suggestion is flow rate comparison. Yeah noticed the huge weight difference. I did get the 2L Hydrapak weighs more but helps filter faster and I don't see this bag failing.

[PressGetTheCookie]

great video! thank you for explaining this so well.. i will go for the lifestraw simply because i cant hang the befree one in my backpack haha and also because i can keep out of the bag in case i find potable water, i dont want to use the filter unnecessarily.. so it is for sure that i can buy befree filters to use on the lifestraw bottle? because i cant find lifestraw filters

[indeedentertainment]

The BeFree is 0.1 micron, the Lifestraw is 0.2 micron. BeFree is the way to go! Also, I would go for the 600ml as it is cheaper, the size does not matter if you are using just to fill up your main water bottle.

[baileymoto]

While it sorta sounds counterintuitive due to its open caged design, I find that the BeFree clogs/slows quite a bit quicker than the other cartridge style alternatives when it comes to silty water that we often find here in the southwest. Pre-filtering can help, but I still end up with cloudy/brown water in the bag. Not sure why this is, but I know others have noticed this as well.

[flamingballzonice]

Though it don't come with one, you can backflush the befree. Catheter tip syringes works well, but you'll need to find one that doesn't reach into the cap too far. In my experience the monoject 60 ml catheter tip syringe works perfectly, it's about $1/syringe and extended the life of my clogged filter that I've had for 2 years now.
Thanks for the vid and the comparison, just got a lifestraw to try out since I feel like they've integrated the best features of a befree & a sawyer into 1 product. Though I'm still on edge about lifestraws since their original filter absolutely sucks.

[JarradShaw]

I didn’t know about the “air can’t flow” test. Thanks. That helps so much!

[northernswedenstories]

Does the lifestraw work with larger hydrapak softflasks like the Seeker?

[BizzeeB]

How dirty can the water be and still be made drinkable by these? I just bought the LifeStraw for a trip to Ecuador, and I'll probably be using it in the mountains, at relatively high elevations (3000m). The instruction booklet in the package says that it filters "flowing" water, but what does that mean?

[epzamora]

Did you provide the total weight of the Lifestraw WITH the syringe? Would it be even more than 3.9 oz? You didn't compare the flow rate of either. BeFree is known to have one of the fastest flow rates for drinking ??? 🤷‍♂

[pamcas]

Is it necessary to pre filter if there’s no debris in the water?

[sanfransimo]

The Lifestraw filter itself is lighter than the BeFree. The lightest combo is the Lifestraw filter on the BeFree bag.