TREKKING
Product 2018
Femme, Homme, Enfant
The BeFree is a soft flask that filters water. The filter is integrated inside the flask and removes microorganisms, bacteria and protozoa (the plasmodium responsible for malaria). However, the filter does not eradicate viruses.
For most outdoor uses where access to drinking water is not possible this BeFree from Kataydn is a portable solution, lightweight, practical and efficient. It weighs 65g, the flask is soft and compactable when not in use, so you can put it anywhere in a backpack, its weight doesn’t limit its use.
The filter cartridge sits in the neck of the flask and is linked to the cap, which unscrews. The flask is easy to fill thanks to its wide neck (42mm diameter). Once filled you squeeze the bottle gently and water comes out filtered and drinkable: mega- simple. You don’t need any extra sucking force and you get plenty of water.
The other major strong point is that BeFree can also be used to fill another recipient or bottle. It’s fast and safe. You can make about 2L a minute.
Katadyn says you can use one filter for 1000 liters of water (slightly variable depending on the quality of the water). They don’t specify when you know that the ‘1000 liters’ have been used. But before treating 1000 liters of water using a 0,6L bottle, quite a bit of time will need to pass…
We appreciated how easy it was to clean the filter; you fill it with clean water, shake it, then empty or rinse the cartridge in water.
The filter is a membrane of ridged fibers and the flask is made from polyurethane thermoplastic and PVC without BPA.
We tested this flask with water from a river and streams. It is a bit nerve racking to see dirty water in your bottle and then say to yourself you’re going to drink it… You squeeze the flask and water enters your mouth. The taste is ok and the water clarity not bad. We weren’t sick! To check that the cartridge works 100% you can do a water analysis at a laboratory, which we did not do.
Compactable, lightweight, this Katadyn flask now lives in our packs. Perfect for trekking and even trail runners could use it on long runs. The BeFree really does provide freedom and this flask won the FIRST Award hands down.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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