Katadyn

BeFree AC 0.5L Microfilter

Easy simple clean water

This is so easy to operate. It makes getting water a breeze and it flows well. Easily clip to your backpack with a caribiner. I’m hoping the actual “bottle” holds up as it’s soft. So far so good.

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.

Great filter

The filter does an incredible job of eliminating not only the contaminants in the water but it really does make it taste much better than my other filters. I got the .5L for backcountry camping and hunting to pair with the 3L gravity filter. I probably will get the 1L and use it more than the .5 just because it enables me to go longer between fill ups. The filters last a pretty decent amount of time in my experience as well, I only change them each about once every 5/6 weeklong trips.

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.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Katadyn Group BeFree AC is an exceptional lightweight water filter that truly shines in its portability and ease of use, making it an indispensable part of my hiking gear. Its compact design allows it to be rolled up and stored almost invisibly in my pack, yet it’s surprisingly effective and reliable when needed, providing clean, great-tasting water at a fast flow rate of up to 2 liters per minute. I especially appreciate the versatility offered by the option to add or omit activated carbon for taste preferences, and the rugged handle makes it easy to hang or carry. The innovative EZ-Clean Membrane simplifies maintenance, ensuring consistent performance without fuss. Overall, I highly recommend this product for outdoor enthusiasts who value convenience, space-saving design, and dependable water filtration.

Small but mighty

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Love the packability. Not quite as durable as a hard Elgin bottle, but seems to be pretty sturdy drank dirty river water and didn’t get sick so it must’ve worked! For the minimalist hunting or hiking trip this is a great water filter and bottle.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Katadyn Group gave me this product free to try and I’ve found it very useful! Upon receiving it I figured I would use it at water sources while hiking and climbing. And while I have used it for those purposes where it really came in handy was while I was staying at a hotel in San Fran. I prefer to drink filtered water > tap water and being able to filter water from my hotel bathroom sink was insanely convenient for me. I also really like the flexibility of the bottle. I’ve used other bottles that were made in the same style and they’ve felt flimsy or have torn very quickly. So far this bottle seems very durable and has survived being shoved into corners of my crowded backpacks and carry ons.

Great filter from a great company

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Small, lightweight and easy to use. If you don’t want complicated filters requiring a bunch steps to use the this is the filter for you. Pens and drops always have you worried if you added enough or held it in there long enough to clean your water. Easy to use and clean for all users beginners or experts. I like the ability to roll it up so it’s not taking up a bunch of space. It doesn’t feel cheaply made either. Quality parts and construction.

Really good all-in-one

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] tl;dr- great filter-flask combo with a few kinks to work out that could make it a top-of-the line product. I have been looking for ways to pare down my running kit and I was excited when Katadyn Group gave me this free product to try. The filter and soft flask combination has always been interesting and seemed like a great way to shave weight. The Katadyn BeFree AC comes in a small package and easily fits into my flask pocket of my running vest. The filter is a bit bulky and the convenient handle is great for handling the flask but was a tiny bit uncomfortable when the flask was full. The BeFree has a hard plastic cover on the soft silicone nozzle which works well but can be a bit annoying and finicky (I need two hands to open it). If you don't put the cover down, the flask will leak a little. I like to blow air back into my flasks so they don't collapse in the flask sleeve of my vest but was unable to do that with this filter. All of these things are minor inconveniences in the grand scheme and ways to improve this otherwise stellar product. The filter itself works really well and I had no issues with it at all. The water I filtered was mostly clear and I really didn't have to clean the filter at all during the testing period. I was actually really impressed by the filtering ability because it completely removed the plastic-y taste I normally get with soft flasks. It was really nice. It's also relatively easy to squeeze water through the filter, making refilling other flasks or containers very simple. I had no issues with the durability of the flask and I felt like it would withstand many more miles. Overall, I really enjoyed using this product and I plan to incorporate it into my kit.

[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.