Katadyn  BeFree AC 0.5 L Water Filter Bottle

Katadyn for the Win!!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try in exchange for an honest review. The BeFree Microfilter bottle included many great features which made it a handy addition to my outdoor adventures this month! The top quality I appreciated about the filtration system was how easy it was to clean. Unlike other filters I’ve used, the MicroFilter did not require any flushing of the components. Simply swishing or rinsing the filter in clean water made cleaning a breeze! The bottle and filter were very lightweight and packable, easy to stash in a pocket or running vest. The taste of the water was exceptional and the flow rate was steady in spite of sending some questionable water through it from an algae lined river. I will be bringing this filter along on all my outdoor adventures, whether backpacking, hiking, kayaking, biking, trail running, etc! Thanks Katadyn!

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

About as good as it gets for on-the-go filtration!

I've primarily used the Katadyn BeFree as my water filter of choice for the last two years. When Katadyn gave me the opportunity to review the new BeFree AC, I jumped at the opportunity, and I found it's an ideal filter for my use case. The BeFree AC is called that because you have the option to add a little AC (activated carbon) filter on top of the hollow fiber filtration membrane system. In other words, it's a two-stage filter, in a compact and lightweight form factor. The thing that originally won me over to the BeFree from other small filters is the ease of cleaning. The filter is open to the environment, allowing for very easy cleaning without the need for a backwash routine. This carries through to the AC. For testing, I primarily used the AC on bike trips, and so far on an initial backpacking and peak bagging trip, climbing Longs Peak. The flow rate is high, the size is perfect - it even fits perfectly into a trail running vest if you buy the 0.5L version. The shape is fantastic for trail running, and worked in several different trail running packs I tried it in. What about the AC part of the filter? Well, initially I wasn't sure what the point of this really is. Activated carbon is the same thing you'll find in a Brita filter: it's less about filtering out pathogens, and more focused on taste and odor compounds. Most prominently, AC filters can reduce the taste of chlorine in drinking water. I found that this works pretty well when I tested drinking some tap water with and without the AC filter insert; but most of the time when I'm on the move, I'm drinking from mountain streams, so I'll leave the AC cartridge at home. Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

My New Trail Buddy I Didn’t Know I Needed

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try, and I’ve gotta say—I’m hooked. The BeFree AC water filtration bottle is hands-down one of the most useful things I’ve brought with me on the trail lately. Out here in the Pacific Northwest, I’m always surrounded by streams and little creeks, and now I don’t have to stress about running out of water or carrying a heavy load from the start. I just stop, fill up, and keep moving. It’s crazy lightweight—I clip it onto my pack and honestly forget it’s even there. No sloshing around, no bulk, just super simple and reliable. Whether I’m hiking deep into the woods, doing a quick trail run, or just wandering off somewhere remote, this thing gives me a ton of freedom. If you’re into hiking, backpacking, or just want a little extra peace of mind on your outdoor trips, I seriously recommend this bottle. It’s one less thing to worry about, and out in the mountains, that makes all the difference.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

BeFree in Alaska’s harsh environment

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] As a backcountry traveler, I recently put the Katadyn BeFree Water Filter and Soft Flask through its paces in Alaska’s Denali National Park. Over several days of backpacking through glacial terrain and fast-moving alpine streams, this lightweight filter quickly became one of my go-to pieces of kit. First Impressions: Right out of the box, I noticed a slight plastic taste during the first couple of uses, likely from the soft flask material. After a day of use and a few rinses, the taste disappeared, leaving clean, neutral-tasting water. This short break-in period is worth noting for first-time users. Performance in Harsh Conditions: Denali’s rivers are often heavy with glacial silt, which can clog other filters fast. I was impressed with how well the EZ-Clean Membrane handled the sediment. A quick shake and swish in clean water were all it took to restore a solid flow rate. No backflushing needed. Flow remained decent after multiple uses in sediment-rich sources. Design & Packability: The soft flask is a huge win for ultralight setups. It packs down small when empty and scoops water easily thanks to the wide mouth. I used it both as a squeeze filter into cook pots and directly for drinking. It’s also compatible with other HydraPak soft flasks, which adds modular value to your system. Trail Verdict: The Katadyn BeFree is reliable, fast, and ideal for solo use where weight and speed matter. It handled the challenges of Alaskan backcountry water with ease, and it’s now a permanent part of my pack. Give it a rinse or two before your first trip to eliminate the new-plastic taste. Rating: 9.5/10

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

Great hiking/backpacking water bottle!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have really enjoyed using this water bottle over the last few weeks during my training hike to the Grand Canyon. It carabiners nicely onto my pack and once emptied, I can easily roll it up and store it. I’m excited to test this out in the Grand Canyon in a couple weeks. My only issue is that the bottom isn’t a little bit more solid so the water bottle would stand up on its own. This is a great travel water bottle, but maybe not the best around the campsite. Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

Small but Mighty

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This product is a small but handy water bottle. It filters fast, and can collapse down to a near negligible weight and size to add to your pack while hiking or camping. I really appreciated the flip cap for ease of use and protection against dirt on the lid. While this product cannot stand upright the hook on the top makes it easy to hold onto or hook onto your pack by carabiner. This Katadyn BeFree AC bottle filter makes drinking clean, great tasting water easy no matter when or when you are using it!

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

Best filter out there.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Simple and to the point this filter is for anyone who needs a reliable filter they can depend on. Fill and go system is light and ready to go when you’re on the trail. Whether it’s a trail run and you don’t want to carry extra water or you’re on a multi day trip this is my go to. This filter is easy to clean and ready for the next adventure without any extra stress.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

Exceptional Filter

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is a piece of gear that will always have a spot in my pack. Huge thanks to Katadyn for sending me the BeFree Water Bottle Filter to test! Whether you’re backpacking or day hiking, this filter is a game changer. I was able to test it out on a rainy day hike, collecting water from a stream and muddy puddles. I was extremely impressed by how well it filtered the muddy, silty water into perfectly clear, drinkable water. Its wide opening makes collecting water easy, has a super fast flow rate, and its lightweight, collapsible design makes it easy to pack. Seemed quite durable and fit inside my pack well. You can filter water into other bottles or drink straight from the water bottle filter itself. Highly recommend!!

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

The perfect water filter!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Super lightweight, easy to use and quick.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have used this a few times while hiking and it worked great! I primarily used it to filter water and squeeze into another bigger bottle, as I only have the half liter version. I could easily filter the full half liter in about 10 or 15 seconds. It rolls/folds up fairly small and feels like the it is fairly durable, I have no worries about throwing it in my pack to be jostled around. It was easy to set up and use and I trust Katadyn to provide clean potable water for all my adventures. Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try.

Originally posted on ExpertVoice.com