BeFree Water filter and Prefilter

Shown below is a 2L CNOC bladder, a BeFree water filter by Katadyn, and a prefilter.

We got the chance to test this and other water filters and purifiers on a spring hike in Grand Gulch in southern Utah. The BeeFree fits in any 42 mm thread bladder, but once you add the prefilter to it only certain bladders will fit the combined filter and prefilter. Those filters are the CNOC 2/3L, Katadyn 0.6 and 1.0 L bladders. The prefilter filters down to 1 micron, and whatever it captures is prevented from going into (and clogging) the filter. The BeFree filters down to 0.1 microns. By comparison Giardia cysts are about 7-10 microns in size. The Katadyns Hiker Pro filters down to 0.2 microns, and the Sawyer Squeeze filters down to 0.1 microns. The BeFree, prefilter and CNOC bladder is shown in operation below, positioned as a gravity filter. The BeFree filter costs $26.80, and the CNOC 2L bladder is $22.90.

On the last day of our 4 day hike we had a water emergency, because the water source we were counting on was dry. We hiked 3.5 miles in the desert sun on 3-4 cups of water each. We were looking forward of a water tank we had heard about at the trailhead. When we got there it turned out to be a cow pond, complete with cows. That is the worst water I’ve ever drunk, but it was life saving. Next time I’d advise taking two of the prefilters, or more. They are very light, and can be washed out and reused. Shown below is the prefilter after the 4 day trip, and some really bad water.

The BeeFree filter cartridge is $26.80, the prefilter is , and CNOC bladder is$22.90.