Katadyn BeFree 0.6L Review

The Katadyn BeFree 0.6L is a great option for those seeking a filter that fits inside a bottle. The soft bottle is collapsible, making it easy to pack away and store. Like most soft containers, its durability isn't the greatest, but the screw top filter is compatible with other stashable soft bottles. Notable amongst long-distance bike riders, trail runners, and the like, this is perfect for solo on-the-go filtration.

Water Quality

The BeFree removes odd tastes and does a great job of producing fresh, clear water. It protects against bacteria and protozoa but does not remove viruses. That said, it should be adequate for most streams in the US and Canada. It features a hollow filter design with 0.1-micron pore size. The filter is short, with big open spaces and spindled tubes latticed over one another. This design makes for quick guzzling on the go. It does well for a range of water sources, whether turbid or clear.

Durability and Maintenance

The filter and screw-top attachment on the BeFree are durable and last roughly 1000 liters before needing replacement. However, the soft bottle is a different story. If you're a runner or use soft bottles often, you know it's hard to find a durable soft bottle. This bottle is no different. Online, several reviewers shared their experience with the storage bottle bursting at the seam around the rigid top collar piece after only a few uses.

We have not experienced it bursting, but after testing five of these bottles, each eventually sprung a pin-prick leak. In one case, these pin-prick leaks occurred on the first time out. These bottles are delicate and aren't very durable. While our experience didn't yield a filtration system that didn't work, it's not impossible. If you plan on going long distances with this as your only filtration system, we'd recommend carrying a second soft bottle in case the first one leaks or breaks, defeating the purpose of ultralight. Alternatively, you can also carry a more durable bottle option.

In terms of maintenance, this filter is pretty easy. You can easily clean out the BeFree by running water through it and swishing it around. Despite our durability issues with the soft bottle, we really like this filter.

Treatment Time

The BeFree boasts a competitive flow rate for this type of filter. Just fill, sip, and move on — instant water on the trail.

Weight and Packability

As an extremely packable and lightweight filter, the BeFree is one of our favorite options for activities like trail running or mountain biking, where soft bottles are a huge plus. It weighs only 2.1 ounces, with the soft bottle and mini filter inside. The filter itself is fairly short, making it easy to fit inside a variety of compatible soft bottles. After you quench your thirst, you can simply collapse the bottle and tuck it into an area that'll fit into the palm of your hand. Not many other bottle filtration systems have a profile that is as short, which saves space in the bottle, allows you to fit more water, and effectively collapses the container. It fits comfortably inside the front pockets of a trail running vest. Again, if you have a bottle that you prefer, check to see if the top is compatible with your favorite soft bottle.

Ease of Set Up

Set up is pretty darn straightforward for the BeFree. Out of the box, it's ready. Scoop up water and screw on the top, and you're good to go. While this is simple, you might have difficulty getting water from super skimpy and shallow sources since you have to scoop water into the bottle. However, it works in most cases.

Ease of Filtration

This process is also super straightforward. The water filters through the hollow filter efficiently. Of all the “sucking” or “squeeze” designs, this is one of the easiest to use. Other filtration systems with a similar method can take lots of effort to suck through the filter. Drinking from the BeFree instead delivers a steady water flow and easy hydration. We even drank from this bottle just around the house because it wasn't cumbersome or annoying to put to use.

This system is suitable for on-the-go travel. You can try to squeeze water through and put it into a larger storage bottle, but that takes a little more time and energy. Other sizes are available if you need more capacity than the 0.6-liter version we tested. Overall, this is one of our favorite on-to-go systems because of how naturally water flows through the body of the filter to your mouth.

Should You Buy the Katadyn BeFree 0.6L?

The Katadyn BeFree 0.6L offers great performance, especially considering the fast flow rate that filters bacteria and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. That being said, the limited durability of the soft bottle can easily prevent you from optimizing the 1000 liter usage provided over the filter's life. While the filter is slightly more affordable than its collapsible bottle counterparts, you may exceed its price point by constantly replacing the soft bottle.

What Other Backpacking Water Filters Should You Consider?

The Katadyn BeFree 0.6L is a popular option for travelers seeking a super lightweight and on-the-go filtration system. While it's not the most durable, it offers a fast flow rate that filters bacteria and protozoa, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium. The soft bottle is collapsible, fitting easily into the pocket of a hydration pack or vest, and it's compatible with other soft bottles, adding to its versatility. If you're interested in our favorite filter for personal use, check out the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze that we've tested consistently over the last few years without any durability issues. And if you're willing to invest a little more for an even more durable collapsible bottle option, the Hydrapak Flux 1.5L surprised our testing team with its durable bottle and twist cap that never leaked while providing just enough water for two during demanding backcountry missions.