PLATYPUS QUICKDRAW REVIEW HOW TO
PLATYPUS QUICKDRAW REVIEW FULL

I mention this because most backpacking filters boast meeting EPA standards…. More specifically they point out that the EPA does not approve or test filters or register them based on their ability to remove parasites. Then I came across another interesting resource from the CDC helping us interpret the terminology used on water filter packaging.

That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t remove Giardia, but doesn’t instill warm fuzzies in me about it either. I guess that’s cool, but a little disappointing that Giardia and Cryptosporidium weren’t specifically included in the tests. coli, enterococcus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. According the fact sheet from the Katadyn Group, the BeFree was only tested to remove E. Other things can compromise your filter like letting it freeze, especially when it’s wet, or physical damage like a far drop or being crushed under significant weight.Īlways carry an alternate form of water treatment like chemical drops or tabs as a backup to water filters, in case your filter reaches the end of its life in the middle of a backpacking trip!ĭoes the Katadyn BeFree filter remove Giardia and viruses?Īfter doing a little digging on whether or not the Katadyn BeFree water filter effectively removes or kills Giardia, I have found some interesting tidbits and no definitive answers. Some hikers report needing to replace the filter after every extended 14+ day trip, which is more often than you might think! Once you notice that the filter is getting harder to use or squeeze water out of, it’s probably time to replace it. The flow rate will start to seriously diminish as the filter ages or it starts to become clogged with particles or buildup from less than ideal water sources. The Katadyn BeFree filters say they last up to 1,000 liters, depending on the water quality. This question isn’t as straightforward as it seems and we’ve heard mixed results. How long do Katadyn BeFree water filters last?

To clean the Katadyn BeFree filter, fill the soft water bottle with clean water, attach the filter and vigorously shake and swish it around. Obviously, you’ll still have to clean your filter sometimes, but you can do yourself a favor and prevent clogs and buildup by using the clearest water sources possible or filtering out debris with a bandana or other cloth when filling up your soft water bottle, so that fewer particles end up in the filter itself. We did this by holding the BeFree soft water bottle more sideways than directly over our clean, drinking Nalgenes.Īs with most things in the backpacking world, prevention is key. Be careful not to let stream water from the outside of the soft water bottle run into your clean water bottle. Open the small cap cover and squeeze the water into your designated clean water bottle, cook pot or your mouth. Simply fill up the soft water bottle with the potentially contaminated water that you want to filter, then screw on the filter itself to the top of the soft water bottle. Or at least let it soak in water for a couple of minutes on the trail before trying to squeeze water through it (it will go much more smoothly, I promise.) Try it out at home with some tap water first just to get a feel for it and thoroughly wet the filter right before a trip. Luckily, the Katadyn BeFree filter is very easy to use and doesn’t leave too much room for user error.

PLATYPUS QUICKDRAW REVIEW HOW TO

How to use the Katadyn BeFree water filter

PLATYPUS QUICKDRAW REVIEW FULL

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Platypus quickdraw review