Katadyn BeFree Review (video)

Is the Katadyn BeFree the most bike-friendly water filter on the market? In our latest video, we take a look at this ultralight, easy to use, collapsable water filter that’s compact enough to fit almost anywhere—perfect for both bikepacking and day rides. Find the long-term review here…

We were introduced to the Katadyn BeFree water filter while riding a chunk of the CDT in 2018 and were immediately impressed. It has a collapsable, one-liter rubber bottle with a 42mm threaded top and a screw-in filter. You simply fill the bottle, screw in the filter, turn it upside down, and squeeze. When it’s new, or clean, water flows through the filter at a really good rate, faster than the Sawyer, another filter we use quite a bit. Katadyn claims the BeFree filters up to two liters of water per minute. Watch Neil’s video review below and then scroll down for some additional thoughts.

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  • Katadyn beFree review
  • Katadyn beFree review

Logan’s Take: After a questionable start with it, I’ve now used the Katadyn BeFree over a couple seasons and it’s become my favorite water filter for day rides, overnighters, and weekend bikepacking trips, alike. It’s fast, light, small, reliable, and as long as you keep it clean, it works extremely well. To clean the BeFree, which should be done after every six or seven uses, it’s best to fill up a pot or bowl with clean, filtered water and swish the filter around for a few minutes. Additionally, the BeFree has a sealable lid at the spout which makes it useful for bringing extra water to camp. Be sure to find my complete guide to ultralight water filters and purification here.

  • Actual Weight: 62 Grams (0.5L)
  • Place of Manufacture: China
  • Price: $40
  • Manufacturer’s Details: Katadyn.com

If you can’t purchase this product locally, here are some affiliate links where we get a small kickback: Katadyn BeFree 1L; ​Katadyn BeFree 0.5L; Katadyn BeFree Filter Only.

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Bikepacking Gear

Accessories

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