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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Better portable water filter. Katadyn Befree or MSR Trailshot
 
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Birdknowsbest
09/23/2017 10:31PM
 
I currently have the Platypus 4 liter system for at camp. It works amazing for 4-8 people. Never had an issue.

I am looking for a portable water filtering solution.

I dont want a Steri-pen due to using batteries and not having something to filter out sediment etc.

I want something to use while paddling, fishing, portaging etc.

I have narrowed my options to the Katadyn Befree or MSR Trailshot Microfilter.

I like that both have built in filters which are easily cleanable. I wish the hose was a little bit longer on the MSR but I could deal with it. I know Butthead has used the MSR and likes it I believe. I also think the MSR would be better for streams etc.

I love the flow rate of the BeFree and either would be good I think to fill up each person in the canoes water bottle. Just curious if anyone here has an opinion on either.

MSR Trailshot

Katadyn BeFree

Thanks
 
butthead
09/24/2017 10:22PM
 
" I wish the hose was a little bit longer on the MSR but I could deal with it. I know Butthead has used the MSR and likes it I believe."


I did change to a 5 foot piece of tube, specifically to use seated in a canoe.


butthead
 
barracuda
09/24/2017 08:14AM
 
quote NotSoFast: "Haven't tried either of those models. Last year I bought a Sawyer Mini, quit using my Platypus gravity system. I now simply dip an old, one-liter tonic water bottle in the lake, screw on the filter and drink. Doesn't get much more portable than that.



Others, I believe, have added hoses to use their mini as a gravity system.



That being said, if you like the MSR, it's pretty easy to replace the stock tubing with whatever length you want."



+1


I use a sawyer mini mainly as a gravity filter, occasionally as squeeze filter, would be reluctant to buy a filter that does not back flush.
 
Birdknowsbest
09/24/2017 04:58PM
 
I have a Sawyer mini as well. The flow is too slow for me and too much of a pain to fill the bag it comes with.


Do both the models I mentioned above protect against giardia?
 
jfinn
09/25/2017 12:25AM
 
I have a mini and the Befree. I prefer the Befree for easy and fast on the go filtration. Flow rate is great and all you do us unscrew and fill, screw back on. I have used the Befree to fill other bottles and it is good at that as well.



The mini is versatile and you can use it on other bottles, convert to a gravity and so on. If you want to mess with that, it is an option and certainly a very cost effective one. Durability I would give to the mini as my Befree did develop some pin holes (replaced by REI)



John

 
NotSoFast
09/24/2017 06:53AM
 
Haven't tried either of those models. Last year I bought a Sawyer Mini, quit using my Platypus gravity system. I now simply dip an old, one-liter tonic water bottle in the lake, screw on the filter and drink. Doesn't get much more portable than that.


Others, I believe, have added hoses to use their mini as a gravity system.


That being said, if you like the MSR, it's pretty easy to replace the stock tubing with whatever length you want.
 
butthead
09/26/2017 12:25PM
 
" I would just squeeze into someones water bottle if they needed clean water on the go."


That is why I changed to the Trailshot, fast and simple to use and filled partners bottles on the water. It takes just seconds in camp to pull the pre-filter and set up for gravity use. Seconds to revert to hand pump carry use.


butthead
 
Blatz
09/24/2017 04:25PM
 
I've used the Befree and it works great. Great flow and can be back flowed
 
tg
09/24/2017 10:13PM
 
quote Birdknowsbest: "I have a Sawyer mini as well. The flow is too slow for me and too much of a pain to fill the bag it comes with.



Do both the models I mentioned above protect against giardia? "

Yes-both protect against giardia. I have the BeFree and love it. It squishes down to nothing. And the flow of water is quite good.


tg
 
Birdknowsbest
09/24/2017 10:30PM
 
quote butthead: "" I wish the hose was a little bit longer on the MSR but I could deal with it. I know Butthead has used the MSR and likes it I believe."



I did change to a 5 foot piece of tube, specifically to use seated in a canoe.



butthead"



Ive seen some YouTube videos on the MSR. It seems the squeeze is pretty easy to do.


I guess the MSR would be better for multiple ppl on the move but the Katadyn I would just squeeze into someones water bottle if they needed clean water on the go.