You inspired me Darwin! I completely changed my life! Got hiking and have dropped 80 pounds since July! Absolutely love your channel and I 100% my sawyer squeeze! Keep it up my friend! Ordered my protect public lands pin!
Darwin's video production is top notch and he does a great job articulating. That's just a couple of reasons why Darwin is probably the best at what he does with his TH-cam channel.
This debate is how I met my girlfriend. No really, we were both solo backpacking and filling up at the same stream. I was using the Befree and she used the squeeze and we started chatting about what we thought of them. After 2 years she now uses the Befree too
@@michaelvoorhees5978 Animals dump near streams and rivers. Not that men moaning about contracting Giardia isn't super attractive and manly. Native Americans had the sense to boil water in clay pots with heated rocks. Modern wisdom a thing we call science, proves a water filter is quicker and more efficient......
Not only would I use both, I would carry both. Even for an ultralight hiker, 2 ounces is a small price to pay for constant access to clean water, regardless of the source.
I have used the sawyer for several years now. To mitigate the fragility I use a thin high-density foam wrap secured with gorilla tape. This has the added advantage of insulating the filter as well. My current one has survived many a drop and never frozen despite winter camping in the UK. Not perfect but a major improvement.
Modifying your kit is essential, too many people fear this and end up paying absurd prices. Look at your backpack or webbing. Get a speedy stitcher. Modify it how you want it. People will instead buy thousand dollar packs when a $50 yum cha one will suffice with some webbing and forethought to mod it.
My husband and I carry the Sawyer squeeze and use the sports cap hack to backflush and then backflush properly at home in between trips. We are weekend warrior types though. We also always carry a couple iodine tablets as backup just in case.
The small blue coupling collar is the greatest addition to the squeeze. it allows me to screw the filter onto the end of any Smartwater bottle so I don't spill any water when I'm filtering. When I'm done, I just flip the set up over and backflush ~50mL of water every time I use it, I haven't had it clog on me yet. I've never used a befree, but It looks like that is a standard threaded sports cap on the end so I could probably do the same thing as well. It's an extra step that some find cumbersome, but I prefer having two different dirty/clean water reservoirs while on the trail.
So helpful, especially for someone just getting started! Straight forward and not loaded with a lot of references that one wouldn’t understand if they’re just beginning or not in your particular hiking environments.
I've used both, but I prefer the BeFree for alot of the same reasons that you mentioned. I've had mine for over a year now and it has slowed down, but I was able to clean it with a little vinegar and the flow rate is back. Thanks for your review.
Another variable to consider for some people is sharability. For two people hiking together the sawyer is more sharable since you use it to fill your drinking bottle but you drink straight from befree. Awesome vid man, I love hearing your thoughts and experiences on gear. Hike on.
Sawyer for me. It works great and I don't see any reason to buy something new. Very well done video Darwin, your experiences are very good for us to learn from.
if you were to actually use the Be Free, I imagine you would surprised and then say "why didnt I try this sooner?!" its so much better than the Squeeze! no joke.
I love them both. I spent so many years with a Katadyn Hiker Pro without knowing there were alternatives. Once I got the Squeeze and a BeeFree, never looked back.
I used the Be free alone on a 50 mile ultra light trail running trip in Escalante. We traveled over sand and trails and plateaus and relied on this alone. It did excellent. However it got plugged up a bit from the nasty water we drank out of.
Hey Darwin! Just wanted to leave a little comment of appreciation for your videos. I have been kept away from my active hobbies like backpacking and such for a year and a half due to multiple surgeries. Watching your videos lets me live vicariously through you and helps ease my trail withdrawal. I've spent a lot of time reworking my gear since I really couldn't do anything else, so I am very excited to get back out there this summer and get back to doing what I love. And I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos and how much they helped me through these last 20 months. You're awesome man!
Pretty cool seeing this video come up on my feed. I got hired by Sawyer right when the squeeze filter came out. They hired me to run their water department. I enjoyed designing the Manufacturing process for the squeeze and then years later the mini. I no longer work for them but still have their filters in my hurricane kit.
I've used the BeFree on backpacking and bikepacking trips and absolutely love it! I did have issues puncturing the .6Liter bladder/bottle it came with, so after my 2nd one, I upgraded to the 2L aftermarket bladder, which is made from a thicker, more durable material.
You can take off the drinking tip of the Be Free filter and put the blue ring from Sawyer on the thread to make a gravity filter into any normal size bottle or bag. I use a Cnoc 2 liter as my dirty water bag with the Be Free in it and a Platypus 2 liter as my filtered water bag. I also use the sawyer quick release adapter to send water straight into my pack water bladder without ever taking it out. You can buy the replacement Be Free filter without the bag for much cheaper and get the better Cnoc bag. 😉 When you think about the amount of litters they last, it really isn't an issue because they both last forever. I actually carry a Sawyer Mini as a backup since 2 ounces is worth the insurance.
Seemingly a very fair and comprehensive evaluation. Thanks. For me, my go to has been the Grayl Purifier Water Filter Cup that rides with me in an insulated case on my belt. Fill up the outside cup with the source water, insert the inside cup (with the filter on the bottom) and push down on the inner cup until all the water is forced through the filter into the inside cup (as fast as 8 seconds). Available with 3 different grades of filter depending on what part of the world you might be travelling in. In North America , the middle, green cartridge apparently is fine enough to filter out whatever we might encounter here. Certainly a little heavier / bulkier than the 2 systems described in this video, but very easy-to-use and dependable. Filter approved for 350 pushes, 250 liters. Very ideal for day hiking in particular. And certainly one should travel with some sort of dependable backup for such a crucial piece of gear, even if just water purification tablets.
I just bought the katadyne today after a lot of reading and thinking about the pros and cons. Katadyne won on beeing the easiest to clean and since it's gonna be a sort of backup option, I don't really need the millions and millions of liters. A 1000 liters are gonna last years for me. But is nice knowing you can get water without having to walk several kilometers back and forth. My main concern is to find good sources of water to filter, since I live in a highly agricultural country (Denmark). But thank you for a thorough video and confirming, that I probably made the right choice for me. Happy hiking from Denmark
In my personal experiences: Sawyer Squeeze - Froze in the Mid-20s, white the BeFree worked perfectly fine Katadyn BeFree - with mine, and 2 others - I found that you are able to "taste" the water you are filtering a lot more than the Sawyer Squeeze.
I wonder if the higher flow rate of the BeFree is because it may be less fine than the Sawyer; that would explain why you taste the water more with the BeFree
Excellent review Darwin! Not as prolific a hiker as you, but feel you definitely hit the right points for 99% of the hikers out there. I am also happy that this day/weekend hiker/camper reached the same conclusions as you. After much research and other filters, I too have both and switch back and forth! Day trips, out fishing or riding my e-bike its Katadyn. Everything else its my squeeze system. Oh, and one last thing. You may have been a bit harsh on the durability and cleaning issues budroe. Drop the Katadyn on a rock and its plastic will also break. And unless you are gone for 2 weeks or more filtering very dirty water, you won't have to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze and the squeeze can last a lifetime.
Hi Darwin, I'm pushing for 2021 thru hike of the AT You and Dixie have been major inspiration for me Several pieces of my gear are based on yours, so thank you for teaching me I hope to meet you some day I picked Sawyer sqeeeze for it's versatility
Darwin - Wanted to give you a shout out from Arizona Trail Steward Passage 18b of the Arizona Trail for I noticed the quick shot inserted of Mud Spring within Reavis Canyon. So, I recently just switched over to squeeze about 8 months ago and compared to the msr hand pump by far quicker and gets you back on the trail faster. Also wanted to say appreciate what you been doing helping with various projects for the Arizona Trail Association.
Get a 10 ml leur lock syringe and save on space, also good for aspirating wounds. You should be carrying one anyway in your med kit, a 10 or a 20. 50 ml is overkill unless you want to be able to perform suction and in field surgery.
I also have both and use them for different times / places. The BeFree is perfect for backpacking and day hiking in the PNW! The Squeeze is amazing for thru-hiking and expeditions!
While shopping for a filter it was a toss up between the Sawyer and the Katadyn, until I started digging a little deeper. The three main reasons I ended up with the Sawyer are, #1 filter life - the Sawyer smokes the BeFree, with the prices being very comparable. So that’s a win in the value department. #2 - I read way too many reviews mentioning failures of the bag that comes with the BeFree. (To be fair, the bags that come with the Sawyer Squeeze are notorious for failing too). Maybe I’ll call this one a draw? Which brings me to reason #3 - versatility. If the bag on the BeFree does fail I’m screwed, plain and simple. With the Sawyer, even if the included bag were to fail, I can go literally anywhere and find a bottle it will screw on to. Another win for the Sawyer.
Per your 3rd reason - according to the video of Robert Hammenrudh - the Hydrapack Flux Bottle, Plug 'n Play Cap & Filter-adapter are the best solution to use with the Sawyer.
For me the Be Free is the one. I started trying it out early last year and have never looked back! I liked the Squeeze, but it is limited and the performance was never what I considered to be all that great due to clogging and stuff. The Be Free has some serious flow performance, and is super easy to clean the filaments when it starts slowing down. I have used the same one for nearly a full year now and it is still flowing stronger than the Squeeze ever did.
Im going into my fourth year of doing backcountry trail work full time, my sawyers have never clogged once and i use them every single day, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day i rely on it for my water for 5 months out of my work year. The only reason i've needed to replace mine is from having it out in my car when its dropped below freezing so ive replaced them. I'm def going to get a BeFree this season though to try it out, but my Sawyer has never failed me yet.
Its interesting you suggest the silty water is less of a problem in the P.N.W. It really depends on the area. I'm often higher up in the mountains, pulling from water that is direct runoff from glaciers. Glaciers tend to put a lot of silt from ground-up rock in to the water. I have to rinse my BeFree constantly because of that.
I’m new to backpacking. I bought the sawyer filter but had no idea you had to clean them with that thing. I just checked mine and you are right it has the cleaning thing.
Excellent review Darwin,,, Friendly Reminder, prefiltering water sediment with a clean cloth before using Filter, helps to prevent frequent clogs and Filter Water Flow will last longer,,, Cheers,,,
The BeFree is a more lightweight and refined version of an earlier type of on the go water filter which I purchased @10years ago from Katydyn...it was called the Exstream XR. It was perfect for weekend or day hikes where running water was available. I liked this bottle type filter because it filtered both cysts and viruses from the water and also had a carbon filter for taste issues. Nice review by the way...good info.
Hi Darwin! I like your channel, it is very inspiring. I started day hikes last year and plan some longer solo hikes this year(a week or two)). However, in my opinion, at 12:10 you give bad advice. You should shield from freezing all hallow fiber filters, if you only suspect that a wet filter might have been exposed to freezing temperatures, then this filter is not safe and should be disposed of. It is fine to expose a new dry filter to freezing temperatures, there is no water in it that might freeze, but if it had some water in it and then was frozen, irreversible and undetectable damage might have happened. If hiking in freezing temperatures, put the filter in a plastic bag(so your pocket remains dry) and keep it in a pocket close to your body, so you can be sure that the filter has never frozen. Quickly filter your water, and put the filter back in your pocket. After freezing that filter might look fine(no cracks in its body) and it will filter and make muddy water into clear water. It will filter most of the water that goes through it as before, but a percentage of the water with all bacteria in it might go through hallow fiber cracks that formed when the filter was frozen. And it will not filter out 99.99999% of bacteria, but depending on the damage this filter might filter only 99% or maybe 95% of water, but the remaining water will go through the cracks in the filter material unnoticed. You never know how much water along with all bacteria in it passes filter through fiber tube crakcs that are much larger than 0,1 micron. This filter might be somewhat usable if you boil the water, but you can not trust that water is bacteria-free and safe to drink with no additional treatment. Don't take my word for it, please research more about what can happen to these filters after they were exposed to freezing temperatures.
Thanks for a very thorough review. I failed to find the Sawyer sp129 here in Sweden so I went for the 0,6 liter Befree and a HYDRAPAK Flux 1L bottle. Mainly out short trips visiting lakes. I just hope the Befree will cut it because we have loads of pine forests which cause many lakes to be full of humus. And many small creeks are dried out in the summer. And I believe cleaning out humus needs carbon filters which also fix color, odour and bad taste. Something the Hollow Fiber filters doesnt seem to fix like the Beefree and Sawyer. But I will give it a try.
Excellent review, and very much appreciate the fact that different filters work better under different environments, I would not have thought about that! Thank you!
Have been using the BeFree for a few years, and I'm very pleased. Also have the Katadyn Hiker Pro for when the whole family goes out for a trip. Have several different HydraPak bottles that I pair with my BeFree depending on the need for each specific trip. Live in Norway, so for me, the BeFree is perfect!
I like to use the sawyer with 2 cnoc bags and the coupler. If on the move, I can just use one bag and squeeze water through the filter. Or if I’m at camp I can use both bags and effortlessly filter a bunch of water using the sawyer as a gravity filter. It’s very versatile and has worked well for me.
I have both, and a geo press ( by grayl) the grayl is the beat filter I own. ( just know it's expensive and a pound) but like Darwin I adapt my plan to the plan never gotten sick from creek water. I get some crazy looks but I drink Alot of water from streams, springs, seeps, bogs, drain, rivers, ponds, and once a large puddle. Be safe and stay hydrated =)
katadyn does make a 3L "bottle" and gravity system. it's even on sale on rei right now. I love my 1L normal befree. was always at least twice as fast at refilling than friends w/ a sawyer
Ditto! Love my Katadyn 3L gravity system. Plus Katadyn is so much faster at filtering than Sawyer; Plus I’ve had the Sawyer become inoperable in between my hikes while in storage. 👎🏼
Agree! The 3L gravity was fast and worked great with my bladder on my CT thru hike. I had a quick disconnect by my mouthpiece so I never had to remove the bladder to fill it. Plus If I wanted to dry camp between long stretches without water it could serve as a bonus water bladder.
I would think the 3L befree + 2 1L smart water bottles would be a great setup? allows for a large water carry when needed and easy and fast to fill the smartwater bottles with the 3l bag
Nice. Felt like this was a very thorough comparison "for your" needs as a hiker. I learned something about different environments and styles of hiking as well. "I have to say I'm not a seasoned thru hiker". "I'm always looking for a no nonsense view on gear". "This was a nice straight to the point upload". In which I like. Thanks Darwin for the insight and knowledge sharing. "Water is important". ✌️👍
I use the Be Free with the adapter that comes with the gravity kit to convert the filter to an inline filter. I clip a universal hose end 9not sure if that is what the hose end is called) onto the adapter and this has worked well until just recently when the adapter is for some reason not clicking as well and is keeping the water from flowing, even though the filter itself is flowing. I tried the Squeeze, but it clogged after very little use, even in Oregon where my water sources are relatively clean. Thank you for your videos and experience.
I hear you man. I think they are both solid options. Im in Florida mostly, so I carry a 1L Hydra, a 2L Vecto(both dirty), a 4L MSR reservoir(clean), and both filters. Water is too important in this enviro, and since im solo 90% of the time, not willing to risk having to cut a trip short because i stopped being able to process it. Definitely worth the extra weight/space, for what I do at least(and i definitely dont do what you do ;o) ). mmmmmmmmmm water Gotta say i do think the Sawyer claim of a M gallons is kinda nonsense. Im sure it is true in some incredibly specific context, but ive also had them slow to a painful trickle(even with proper maint) after
You as well as one other person do such great helpful videos. I lean to the b free just because of the bigger opening. I my need to pay more attention. I have just in the past two years gotten back on the trail after many many years. I’m an absolute newbie, I had no idea how much I did not know. Things like this video has really helped. I’ve realized that I am an ultra light packer for no real reason only because it always helps to die out less quickly on the trail. But a true thank you for the continuing education. That I really needed.
I have used both. I live in the east where the water isn't as "clear". I've had two BeFree's and both have had major flow issues after being out just a short time. I've had better luck so far with the Squeeze. Now at first I just loved the BeFree and would use it in less silty water for sure.
I have the BeFree. When I started backpacking in 2018 there were not selling the sawyer squeeze in the stores where I live in Canada. So far I really like it 🙂
From my research the Sawyer is better for overall if doing a thruhike as it doesn't clog up as much. Katadyn seems great if shorter trips and if your careful with water sources etc
Hi Darwin, long time watcher first time commenter. Thanks for all your videos, been watching for a while. I am headed out next month for my first thru hike on the AT.
My Squeeze stopped working after being put in storage for a few months. Yes it was back flushed with clean water before being put in storage. There are several videos out there of the squeeze stopping working.
This happens to me at the start of every spring when I first get my filter out from storage. I usually add hot water to my bottle and leave the filter open and upside down to 'soak' overnight and that seems to do the trick to bring it back to life. Then the next day I'll flush it through a couple times and its good for the rest of the season.
I bought the befree and it’s awesome. Can’t comment on the other brand. I’m sure it’s good to, but the befree is amazingly awesome and simple. I highly recommend based on personal experience.
I love the Sawyer and I use it the lazy way. I carry a couple of smart water bottles and just screw the filter onto the one I'm drinking from. A lot of people are worried about breaking off the filter carrying it on their pack because it sticks up so high. I'm clumsy and haven't done that yet. I have a bias against the BeFree so I haven't tried it yet. I don't like bladders and that probably goes right back to my laziness. I'm tempted though. Love the videos man, keep up the great work!
This helped a lot in making a clear decision on what to buy for my first overnight hike a 14-day hike on the AT in the Shenandoah Mts. Nice job man! Thanks.
You wound up coming to the conclusion I did after using both a lot, but I'm just a bit more strict. The BeFree is my go-to for traveling and light day hikes. If I need to take a shelter with me, the BeFree stays at home and the Sawyer goes in my backpack. It's been tried and true for years now and I know no matter what I encounter, it will keep me in safe drinking water.
Great comparison review! Most focus on stats and leave it at that. So glad you focused on the real world nuances of using these tools in different scenarios. So helpful! Well done!
Not a bad idea. I hadn't thought of that before, but it mimics what municipal membrane filter systems do: backwash for a few minutes every hour of operation with chemical cleanings every few months up to a year, depending on the quality of the water being filtered.
Perfect, thank you. Since I'd be using water filtration mainly in Northern Europe for trips nowhere near approaching PCT like length then the BeFree seems the better choice.
4:45 However, the plunger can have a duel purpose as and important part of the first aid kit where it can be used as an irrigation syringe for treating cuts and laceratioins.
Appreciate you sharing your experiences and breaking down the pros and cons. I have the Sawyer but have been hearing lots (recently) about the Be Free, so I was becoming curious but no one was really explaining the 'why'....
@@funnybusiness7840 lol, you think Dan is the only one in history to review these water filters in a head up comparison?? 🤣🤣 99% of hiking content has been done before and its just up to the content maker to show the info again in a interesting manner
@@DarwinOnthetrail Ignore Ignore Ignore the trolls - Also, thanks for ALL the videos you produce. I'm gearing up and learning for hopefully my first thru-hike (the Mid State Trail in PA) and your channel has been completely invaluable!
I have both. I love my squeeze! I also Loved my Be Free for the first 3 trips and then it failed on me. Not to mention the cap broke off right away. On a trip up Whitney, it just stopped working. I tried all the things and the flow rate was literally a drip. Luckily, I was able to summit with enough water after spending a long time filtering. My squeeze never let me down. I just back flush after every trip, sleep with it when it's cold and bring an extra plastic ring. I really wanted to love my Be Free. Maybe I'll try it one more time, but I've never had my squeeze fail me.
My Bee Free was like clogged when I wanted to use it on my last trip, even if it's nearly new. I had to work for 10 minutes to make the water flow through it again. That made me wonder if I can really trust it...
That was the best comparison I’ve seen yet. I exclusively use the Sawyer mini. As a fly fisherman I am always in the river so leaning over and dipping the mini in the water has been a major selling point for me and as you mentioned it can also be used in line on a hydration bladder. I guess like other gear it’s pretty much mission specific.
As I was listening to this, I started thinking "why not both"?... I like the idea of a bladder with a camel back and inline filter on my pack for day hikes. And then you said the same... both it is.
Definitely the Sawyer squeeze. Be free is nice. I do have the Katadyne hiker pro pump which I have never used on the trail, only car camping near a water source. The Sawyer squeeze has never failed me. It's no problem sleeping with it in my sleeping bag when it's cold. I agree, if you can afford, have both. If you can't, go Sawyer.
I always used a coffee filter w a rubber band on my sweetwater and PUR(now katadyn) filters on the inlet side as a pre filter to keep the mesh screens cleaner on the unit. Always worked flawlessly. Has ony tried this on the befree to reduce the clogging?
You inspired me Darwin! I completely changed my life! Got hiking and have dropped 80 pounds since July! Absolutely love your channel and I 100% my sawyer squeeze! Keep it up my friend! Ordered my protect public lands pin!
@Mi Tewell tf? You got problems
Daaaaaang! Now it's my turn to get into shape
That's great! Bet that feels good!
Good job. I hope you continue to thrive!
"Which would I choose? Both." Nailed it.
Spoilers 😂
😂
I have a hearing problem and really like that you are articulate when you are talking, much easier to follow. Greetings from Sweden 🙂
Darwin's video production is top notch and he does a great job articulating. That's just a couple of reasons why Darwin is probably the best at what he does with his TH-cam channel.
This debate is how I met my girlfriend. No really, we were both solo backpacking and filling up at the same stream. I was using the Befree and she used the squeeze and we started chatting about what we thought of them. After 2 years she now uses the Befree too
True but Sawyer will always be my first love 😂
Then she should dump you!!! Real men don't have to filter water in the wilderness. We native Americans don't get sick from water......
@@michaelvoorhees5978 Animals dump near streams and rivers.
Not that men moaning about contracting Giardia isn't super attractive and manly.
Native Americans had the sense to boil water in clay pots with heated rocks. Modern wisdom a thing we call science, proves a water filter is quicker and more efficient......
@@michaelvoorhees5978 Oder Frauen....
😅
Not only would I use both, I would carry both. Even for an ultralight hiker, 2 ounces is a small price to pay for constant access to clean water, regardless of the source.
carrying two water filters is not Ultralight
Wearing two boots isn't ultralight either. But I prefer not to limp.
Ultralight babies
@@Life0fBri Drinking water isn't ultralight.
@@___xyz___ wearing boots isn't ultralight. Get yourself some trail runners or Crocs or barefoot sandals
I have used the sawyer for several years now. To mitigate the fragility I use a thin high-density foam wrap secured with gorilla tape. This has the added advantage of insulating the filter as well. My current one has survived many a drop and never frozen despite winter camping in the UK. Not perfect but a major improvement.
Modifying your kit is essential, too many people fear this and end up paying absurd prices. Look at your backpack or webbing. Get a speedy stitcher. Modify it how you want it. People will instead buy thousand dollar packs when a $50 yum cha one will suffice with some webbing and forethought to mod it.
Now theres an idea
Since they are so light and inexpensive I actually bring both. Each has its advantages and I ALWAYS want a backup for water filtration.
My husband and I carry the Sawyer squeeze and use the sports cap hack to backflush and then backflush properly at home in between trips. We are weekend warrior types though. We also always carry a couple iodine tablets as backup just in case.
The small blue coupling collar is the greatest addition to the squeeze. it allows me to screw the filter onto the end of any Smartwater bottle so I don't spill any water when I'm filtering. When I'm done, I just flip the set up over and backflush ~50mL of water every time I use it, I haven't had it clog on me yet. I've never used a befree, but It looks like that is a standard threaded sports cap on the end so I could probably do the same thing as well. It's an extra step that some find cumbersome, but I prefer having two different dirty/clean water reservoirs while on the trail.
Love How you have these three word endings to statements always said in a particular cadence. “In your pack”. “On the trail” are my favs.
So helpful, especially for someone just getting started! Straight forward and not loaded with a lot of references that one wouldn’t understand if they’re just beginning or not in your particular hiking environments.
As someone who has used both, this is the best comparison video I have seen yet. Kudos.
Started with a Squeeze for over 2900 miles, switched to a BeFree this year for another 2000 miles. Never switching back! BeFree forever!!!!
I've used both, but I prefer the BeFree for alot of the same reasons that you mentioned. I've had mine for over a year now and it has slowed down, but I was able to clean it with a little vinegar and the flow rate is back. Thanks for your review.
I respect your opinion as much as any other hiker on YT. You are very thorough and unbiased with your reviews. Thanks!!
Another variable to consider for some people is sharability. For two people hiking together the sawyer is more sharable since you use it to fill your drinking bottle but you drink straight from befree.
Awesome vid man, I love hearing your thoughts and experiences on gear. Hike on.
Sawyer for me. It works great and I don't see any reason to buy something new. Very well done video Darwin, your experiences are very good for us to learn from.
if you were to actually use the Be Free, I imagine you would surprised and then say "why didnt I try this sooner?!" its so much better than the Squeeze! no joke.
I love them both. I spent so many years with a Katadyn Hiker Pro without knowing there were alternatives. Once I got the Squeeze and a BeeFree, never looked back.
Hmmm, what a wrong with hiker pro?
I used the Be free alone on a 50 mile ultra light trail running trip in Escalante. We traveled over sand and trails and plateaus and relied on this alone. It did excellent. However it got plugged up a bit from the nasty water we drank out of.
Hey Darwin! Just wanted to leave a little comment of appreciation for your videos. I have been kept away from my active hobbies like backpacking and such for a year and a half due to multiple surgeries. Watching your videos lets me live vicariously through you and helps ease my trail withdrawal. I've spent a lot of time reworking my gear since I really couldn't do anything else, so I am very excited to get back out there this summer and get back to doing what I love. And I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your videos and how much they helped me through these last 20 months. You're awesome man!
Pretty cool seeing this video come up on my feed. I got hired by Sawyer right when the squeeze filter came out. They hired me to run their water department. I enjoyed designing the Manufacturing process for the squeeze and then years later the mini. I no longer work for them but still have their filters in my hurricane kit.
I was searching for videos like this a couple months ago. Thanks for making it!
No problem! Hope it helps!
I've used the BeFree on backpacking and bikepacking trips and absolutely love it! I did have issues puncturing the .6Liter bladder/bottle it came with, so after my 2nd one, I upgraded to the 2L aftermarket bladder, which is made from a thicker, more durable material.
You can take off the drinking tip of the Be Free filter and put the blue ring from Sawyer on the thread to make a gravity filter into any normal size bottle or bag. I use a Cnoc 2 liter as my dirty water bag with the Be Free in it and a Platypus 2 liter as my filtered water bag. I also use the sawyer quick release adapter to send water straight into my pack water bladder without ever taking it out. You can buy the replacement Be Free filter without the bag for much cheaper and get the better Cnoc bag. 😉 When you think about the amount of litters they last, it really isn't an issue because they both last forever. I actually carry a Sawyer Mini as a backup since 2 ounces is worth the insurance.
Super tip!
Hi, I’d love to be able to see a quick video on this !!
Make of video of this please
Seemingly a very fair and comprehensive evaluation. Thanks.
For me, my go to has been the Grayl Purifier Water Filter Cup that rides with me in an insulated case on my belt. Fill up the outside cup with the source water, insert the inside cup (with the filter on the bottom) and push down on the inner cup until all the water is forced through the filter into the inside cup (as fast as 8 seconds). Available with 3 different grades of filter depending on what part of the world you might be travelling in. In North America , the middle, green cartridge apparently is fine enough to filter out whatever we might encounter here. Certainly a little heavier / bulkier than the 2 systems described in this video, but very easy-to-use and dependable. Filter approved for 350 pushes, 250 liters. Very ideal for day hiking in particular. And certainly one should travel with some sort of dependable backup for such a crucial piece of gear, even if just water purification tablets.
I just bought the katadyne today after a lot of reading and thinking about the pros and cons. Katadyne won on beeing the easiest to clean and since it's gonna be a sort of backup option, I don't really need the millions and millions of liters. A 1000 liters are gonna last years for me. But is nice knowing you can get water without having to walk several kilometers back and forth. My main concern is to find good sources of water to filter, since I live in a highly agricultural country (Denmark).
But thank you for a thorough video and confirming, that I probably made the right choice for me.
Happy hiking from Denmark
In my personal experiences:
Sawyer Squeeze - Froze in the Mid-20s, white the BeFree worked perfectly fine
Katadyn BeFree - with mine, and 2 others - I found that you are able to "taste" the water you are filtering a lot more than the Sawyer Squeeze.
I wonder if the higher flow rate of the BeFree is because it may be less fine than the Sawyer; that would explain why you taste the water more with the BeFree
Excellent review Darwin! Not as prolific a hiker as you, but feel you definitely hit the right points for 99% of the hikers out there. I am also happy that this day/weekend hiker/camper reached the same conclusions as you. After much research and other filters, I too have both and switch back and forth! Day trips, out fishing or riding my e-bike its Katadyn. Everything else its my squeeze system. Oh, and one last thing. You may have been a bit harsh on the durability and cleaning issues budroe. Drop the Katadyn on a rock and its plastic will also break. And unless you are gone for 2 weeks or more filtering very dirty water, you won't have to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze and the squeeze can last a lifetime.
Hi Darwin, I'm pushing for 2021 thru hike of the AT
You and Dixie have been major inspiration for me
Several pieces of my gear are based on yours, so thank you for teaching me
I hope to meet you some day
I picked Sawyer sqeeeze for it's versatility
OH YEAH! Hope your having a great prep period!
It's 2022. Did you do it?
It's 2024. Did you complete the AT? If you did, please give a review of what filtration you used and what advice would you give for a future AT hiker?
Darwin - Wanted to give you a shout out from Arizona Trail Steward Passage 18b of the Arizona Trail for I noticed the quick shot inserted of Mud Spring within Reavis Canyon. So, I recently just switched over to squeeze about 8 months ago and compared to the msr hand pump by far quicker and gets you back on the trail faster. Also wanted to say appreciate what you been doing helping with various projects for the Arizona Trail Association.
Get a 10 ml leur lock syringe and save on space, also good for aspirating wounds. You should be carrying one anyway in your med kit, a 10 or a 20. 50 ml is overkill unless you want to be able to perform suction and in field surgery.
I also have both and use them for different times / places. The BeFree is perfect for backpacking and day hiking in the PNW! The Squeeze is amazing for thru-hiking and expeditions!
While shopping for a filter it was a toss up between the Sawyer and the Katadyn, until I started digging a little deeper. The three main reasons I ended up with the Sawyer are, #1 filter life - the Sawyer smokes the BeFree, with the prices being very comparable. So that’s a win in the value department.
#2 - I read way too many reviews mentioning failures of the bag that comes with the BeFree. (To be fair, the bags that come with the Sawyer Squeeze are notorious for failing too). Maybe I’ll call this one a draw?
Which brings me to reason #3 - versatility. If the bag on the BeFree does fail I’m screwed, plain and simple. With the Sawyer, even if the included bag were to fail, I can go literally anywhere and find a bottle it will screw on to. Another win for the Sawyer.
Per your 3rd reason - according to the video of Robert Hammenrudh - the Hydrapack Flux Bottle, Plug 'n Play Cap & Filter-adapter are the best solution to use with the Sawyer.
For me the Be Free is the one. I started trying it out early last year and have never looked back! I liked the Squeeze, but it is limited and the performance was never what I considered to be all that great due to clogging and stuff. The Be Free has some serious flow performance, and is super easy to clean the filaments when it starts slowing down. I have used the same one for nearly a full year now and it is still flowing stronger than the Squeeze ever did.
Same. I have had constant problems with the Sawyer. Much happier now that I switched to the BeFree
Im going into my fourth year of doing backcountry trail work full time, my sawyers have never clogged once and i use them every single day, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day i rely on it for my water for 5 months out of my work year. The only reason i've needed to replace mine is from having it out in my car when its dropped below freezing so ive replaced them. I'm def going to get a BeFree this season though to try it out, but my Sawyer has never failed me yet.
Its interesting you suggest the silty water is less of a problem in the P.N.W. It really depends on the area. I'm often higher up in the mountains, pulling from water that is direct runoff from glaciers. Glaciers tend to put a lot of silt from ground-up rock in to the water. I have to rinse my BeFree constantly because of that.
I’m new to backpacking. I bought the sawyer filter but had no idea you had to clean them with that thing. I just checked mine and you are right it has the cleaning thing.
MSR trailshot is the best filter I've seen. Just so versatile.
Excellent review Darwin,,, Friendly Reminder, prefiltering water sediment with a clean cloth before using Filter, helps to prevent frequent clogs and Filter Water Flow will last longer,,, Cheers,,,
The BeFree is a more lightweight and refined version of an earlier type of on the go water filter which I purchased @10years ago from Katydyn...it was called the Exstream XR. It was perfect for weekend or day hikes where running water was available. I liked this bottle type filter because it filtered both cysts and viruses from the water and also had a carbon filter for taste issues. Nice review by the way...good info.
LOTS of value in this video. You gave us the Pro's and the Con's and then let us decide. I feel empowered to make a better decision. Thank You!
Hi Darwin! I like your channel, it is very inspiring. I started day hikes last year and plan some longer solo hikes this year(a week or two)).
However, in my opinion, at 12:10 you give bad advice.
You should shield from freezing all hallow fiber filters, if you only suspect that a wet filter might have been exposed to freezing temperatures, then this filter is not safe and should be disposed of. It is fine to expose a new dry filter to freezing temperatures, there is no water in it that might freeze, but if it had some water in it and then was frozen, irreversible and undetectable damage might have happened. If hiking in freezing temperatures, put the filter in a plastic bag(so your pocket remains dry) and keep it in a pocket close to your body, so you can be sure that the filter has never frozen. Quickly filter your water, and put the filter back in your pocket.
After freezing that filter might look fine(no cracks in its body) and it will filter and make muddy water into clear water. It will filter most of the water that goes through it as before, but a percentage of the water with all bacteria in it might go through hallow fiber cracks that formed when the filter was frozen. And it will not filter out 99.99999% of bacteria, but depending on the damage this filter might filter only 99% or maybe 95% of water, but the remaining water will go through the cracks in the filter material unnoticed. You never know how much water along with all bacteria in it passes filter through fiber tube crakcs that are much larger than 0,1 micron. This filter might be somewhat usable if you boil the water, but you can not trust that water is bacteria-free and safe to drink with no additional treatment.
Don't take my word for it, please research more about what can happen to these filters after they were exposed to freezing temperatures.
Thanks for a very thorough review. I failed to find the Sawyer sp129 here in Sweden so I went for the 0,6 liter Befree and a HYDRAPAK Flux 1L bottle. Mainly out short trips visiting lakes. I just hope the Befree will cut it because we have loads of pine forests which cause many lakes to be full of humus. And many small creeks are dried out in the summer. And I believe cleaning out humus needs carbon filters which also fix color, odour and bad taste. Something the Hollow Fiber filters doesnt seem to fix like the Beefree and Sawyer. But I will give it a try.
Loved this video! Can't wait for the rain jacket comparison. Thank you for taking the time to do these 🤩
Yes indeed! That would be a great topic with Darwin’s experience.
Excellent review, and very much appreciate the fact that different filters work better under different environments, I would not have thought about that! Thank you!
Have been using the BeFree for a few years, and I'm very pleased. Also have the Katadyn Hiker Pro for when the whole family goes out for a trip. Have several different HydraPak bottles that I pair with my BeFree depending on the need for each specific trip. Live in Norway, so for me, the BeFree is perfect!
Mine clogged up after a while.
Could not rejuvenate.
I like to use the sawyer with 2 cnoc bags and the coupler. If on the move, I can just use one bag and squeeze water through the filter. Or if I’m at camp I can use both bags and effortlessly filter a bunch of water using the sawyer as a gravity filter. It’s very versatile and has worked well for me.
I have both, and a geo press ( by grayl) the grayl is the beat filter I own. ( just know it's expensive and a pound) but like Darwin I adapt my plan to the plan never gotten sick from creek water. I get some crazy looks but I drink Alot of water from streams, springs, seeps, bogs, drain, rivers, ponds, and once a large puddle. Be safe and stay hydrated =)
Excellent review. I actually just ordered the BeFree yesterday before I saw this but I think it confirms I made the right choice for what I want.
Very helpful... Thank you... I'm not using it for hicking, but for my Europe trip... because water is soooo expensive
i just purchased the Bee Free Katadyn and found it more versatile for my hiking on the east coast. thanks,
katadyn does make a 3L "bottle" and gravity system. it's even on sale on rei right now. I love my 1L normal befree. was always at least twice as fast at refilling than friends w/ a sawyer
Ditto! Love my Katadyn 3L gravity system. Plus Katadyn is so much faster at filtering than Sawyer; Plus I’ve had the Sawyer become inoperable in between my hikes while in storage. 👎🏼
Agree! The 3L gravity was fast and worked great with my bladder on my CT thru hike. I had a quick disconnect by my mouthpiece so I never had to remove the bladder to fill it. Plus If I wanted to dry camp between long stretches without water it could serve as a bonus water bladder.
I would think the 3L befree + 2 1L smart water bottles would be a great setup? allows for a large water carry when needed and easy and fast to fill the smartwater bottles with the 3l bag
Nice. Felt like this was a very thorough comparison "for your" needs as a hiker. I learned something about different environments and styles of hiking as well. "I have to say I'm not a seasoned thru hiker". "I'm always looking for a no nonsense view on gear". "This was a nice straight to the point upload". In which I like. Thanks Darwin for the insight and knowledge sharing. "Water is important". ✌️👍
I use the Be Free with the adapter that comes with the gravity kit to convert the filter to an inline filter. I clip a universal hose end 9not sure if that is what the hose end is called) onto the adapter and this has worked well until just recently when the adapter is for some reason not clicking as well and is keeping the water from flowing, even though the filter itself is flowing. I tried the Squeeze, but it clogged after very little use, even in Oregon where my water sources are relatively clean. Thank you for your videos and experience.
I hear you man. I think they are both solid options.
Im in Florida mostly, so I carry a 1L Hydra, a 2L Vecto(both dirty), a 4L MSR reservoir(clean), and both filters. Water is too important in this enviro, and since im solo 90% of the time, not willing to risk having to cut a trip short because i stopped being able to process it. Definitely worth the extra weight/space, for what I do at least(and i definitely dont do what you do ;o) ).
mmmmmmmmmm water
Gotta say i do think the Sawyer claim of a M gallons is kinda nonsense. Im sure it is true in some incredibly specific context, but ive also had them slow to a painful trickle(even with proper maint) after
You as well as one other person do such great helpful videos. I lean to the b free just because of the bigger opening. I my need to pay more attention.
I have just in the past two years gotten back on the trail after many many years.
I’m an absolute newbie, I had no idea how much I did not know. Things like this video has really helped. I’ve realized that I am an ultra light packer for no real reason only because it always helps to die out less quickly on the trail.
But a true thank you for the continuing education. That I really needed.
Well said. I have a be free .6L. Only because I paddle backcountry and “fairly” clean water is abundant.
Good advice about the water in AZ, about to start a winter thru hike on the AZT next week.
Thank you so much for this comparison! Very informative and easy to watch.
You are so welcome! 🤙
Great review Darwin. There's so many reviews of these two filters out there, but this is basically the best summary of all of them.
I have used both. I live in the east where the water isn't as "clear". I've had two BeFree's and both have had major flow issues after being out just a short time. I've had better luck so far with the Squeeze. Now at first I just loved the BeFree and would use it in less silty water for sure.
I have the BeFree. When I started backpacking in 2018 there were not selling the sawyer squeeze in the stores where I live in Canada. So far I really like it 🙂
Best backpacking channel on TH-cam. Thanks Darwin!
WOW! THANKS!
From my research the Sawyer is better for overall if doing a thruhike as it doesn't clog up as much. Katadyn seems great if shorter trips and if your careful with water sources etc
Well this was the best comparison video between the two I’ve ever seen!
You can filter the water first with the Sawyer Squeeze, into the Katadyn BeFree bladder then drink it from there so it's double-filtered!
Excellent video really helped me decide. Thru hiking the Colorado trail seems the Katadyn is the one.
Great video Darwin. Non biased and honest. Glad you are back making videos. 👍
Hi Darwin, long time watcher first time commenter. Thanks for all your videos, been watching for a while. I am headed out next month for my first thru hike on the AT.
My Squeeze stopped working after being put in storage for a few months. Yes it was back flushed with clean water before being put in storage. There are several videos out there of the squeeze stopping working.
This happens to me at the start of every spring when I first get my filter out from storage. I usually add hot water to my bottle and leave the filter open and upside down to 'soak' overnight and that seems to do the trick to bring it back to life. Then the next day I'll flush it through a couple times and its good for the rest of the season.
@@anthonyd9984 Hot water, that makes me think there is a valve that sticks when in storage. The hot water allows the plastic valve to move.
I bought the befree and it’s awesome. Can’t comment on the other brand. I’m sure it’s good to, but the befree is amazingly awesome and simple. I highly recommend based on personal experience.
Thank you for explaining why! And the pros and cons. Great info!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🤙
I love the Sawyer and I use it the lazy way. I carry a couple of smart water bottles and just screw the filter onto the one I'm drinking from. A lot of people are worried about breaking off the filter carrying it on their pack because it sticks up so high. I'm clumsy and haven't done that yet. I have a bias against the BeFree so I haven't tried it yet. I don't like bladders and that probably goes right back to my laziness. I'm tempted though. Love the videos man, keep up the great work!
This helped a lot in making a clear decision on what to buy for my first overnight hike a 14-day hike on the AT in the Shenandoah Mts. Nice job man! Thanks.
You wound up coming to the conclusion I did after using both a lot, but I'm just a bit more strict. The BeFree is my go-to for traveling and light day hikes. If I need to take a shelter with me, the BeFree stays at home and the Sawyer goes in my backpack. It's been tried and true for years now and I know no matter what I encounter, it will keep me in safe drinking water.
Great comparison review! Most focus on stats and leave it at that. So glad you focused on the real world nuances of using these tools in different scenarios. So helpful! Well done!
Great comparison video
Thanks! Glad you dug it! 🤙
I use that coupler with my squeeze and do just a little back flush every time I use it.
A big +1
Not a bad idea. I hadn't thought of that before, but it mimics what municipal membrane filter systems do: backwash for a few minutes every hour of operation with chemical cleanings every few months up to a year, depending on the quality of the water being filtered.
I agree with your review. All valid points. Exactly the way I explain it to our Members here at REI SoHo. And yes, I do own them both myself 👍🏽
Perfect, thank you. Since I'd be using water filtration mainly in Northern Europe for trips nowhere near approaching PCT like length then the BeFree seems the better choice.
best advice on TH-cam. 2 is 1 and 1 is none
Sounds like Ill get a Katadyn as a beginning then get the sawyer as I work my way up. Thanks for the vid.
This feels like a really good, unbiased, video.
I have a Sawyer Mini Squeeze and I really like it. Never tried a Katadyn BeFree.
4:45 However, the plunger can have a duel purpose as and important part of the first aid kit where it can be used as an irrigation syringe for treating cuts and laceratioins.
I’m trying to decide right now. Great info. I’m leaning towards the katadyne for its convenience though. Thanks.
My BeFree bag fell apart and the filter cap doesn't fit any standard bottle sizes. Disappointing. I use the Sawyer now. Happy again.
Thanks for a very informative video comparison. Hikers and Backpackers should always follow the moto two is one, one is none. Always carry both.
Appreciate you sharing your experiences and breaking down the pros and cons. I have the Sawyer but have been hearing lots (recently) about the Be Free, so I was becoming curious but no one was really explaining the 'why'....
dude what I was literally thinking about this today, I have both of them in my cart and couldn't decide. This is super useful!
Glad I could help!
@@funnybusiness7840 lol, you think Dan is the only one in history to review these water filters in a head up comparison?? 🤣🤣 99% of hiking content has been done before and its just up to the content maker to show the info again in a interesting manner
@@funnybusiness7840 Becker's a hack & doesn't even hike. :))
@@funnybusiness7840 Wait... What? What was stolen, from who?
@@DarwinOnthetrail Ignore Ignore Ignore the trolls - Also, thanks for ALL the videos you produce. I'm gearing up and learning for hopefully my first thru-hike (the Mid State Trail in PA) and your channel has been completely invaluable!
I have both. I love my squeeze! I also Loved my Be Free for the first 3 trips and then it failed on me. Not to mention the cap broke off right away. On a trip up Whitney, it just stopped working. I tried all the things and the flow rate was literally a drip. Luckily, I was able to summit with enough water after spending a long time filtering.
My squeeze never let me down. I just back flush after every trip, sleep with it when it's cold and bring an extra plastic ring. I really wanted to love my Be Free. Maybe I'll try it one more time, but I've never had my squeeze fail me.
My Bee Free was like clogged when I wanted to use it on my last trip, even if it's nearly new. I had to work for 10 minutes to make the water flow through it again. That made me wonder if I can really trust it...
I love videos like these!! Also, every time I see your intro I get so excited that Oregon is featured. :)
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for turning me onto the Hydroblue a couple of years ago. Works better than a Sawyer IMO.
That was the best comparison I’ve seen yet. I exclusively use the Sawyer mini. As a fly fisherman I am always in the river so leaning over and dipping the mini in the water has been a major selling point for me and as you mentioned it can also be used in line on a hydration bladder. I guess like other gear it’s pretty much mission specific.
As I was listening to this, I started thinking "why not both"?...
I like the idea of a bladder with a camel back and inline filter on my pack for day hikes.
And then you said the same... both it is.
Thanks, your video was clear and made my deciion easy. As I'm only backpinging for smaller periods I will go for the BeFree, it makes total sense.
Thank you, Darwin! I've been considering these two options and your insights and information were very helpful!
Definitely the Sawyer squeeze. Be free is nice. I do have the Katadyne hiker pro pump which I have never used on the trail, only car camping near a water source. The Sawyer squeeze has never failed me. It's no problem sleeping with it in my sleeping bag when it's cold. I agree, if you can afford, have both. If you can't, go Sawyer.
I picked up a BeeFree with the CNOC Bag. Works great for me being a weekend warrior in Michigan.
Just starting to hike/backpack. I'm going to get the Sawyer, now. I hike more in dusty areas.
I have both. I tend to lean towards the squeeze because it has a smaller filter size(micron)
I always used a coffee filter w a rubber band on my sweetwater and PUR(now katadyn) filters on the inlet side as a pre filter to keep the mesh screens cleaner on the unit. Always worked flawlessly. Has ony tried this on the befree to reduce the clogging?