Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree: Best Hiking Water Filter Reviewed
If you’re looking for a reliable hiking water filter, here’s my honest take after testing both the Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree on trail. This is based on real hikes, from a 3-day overnight trip to extended back-to-back adventures in Tasmania.
Why Wild Inspired My Hiking Adventure
Before I ever cared about flow rates or filter types, I cared about Wild — the film that made me want to shoulder a pack and walk into the unknown.
Reese Witherspoon, dusty and determined, hauling that oversized pack along the Pacific Crest Trail, completely captured me. I wanted her attitude — that raw, unfiltered freedom, the courage to just go. Reese portrayed Cheryl Strayed so beautifully: flawed, fierce, and real. That movie was the first time I truly saw what overnight hiking could be — uncomfortable, transformative, and a little bit magic.
Now, Cheryl didn’t actually use the Sawyer Squeeze (it didn’t exist when she hiked the PCT in 1995). She filtered water the old-fashioned way — with iodine tablets and grit. But something about the Sawyer still reminds me of that Wild energy. Every time I use it, I feel a little more connected to that spirit of independence — that sense of “figure it out as you go.”
Now here are my honest thoughts when it comes to the Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree on the trail.
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review
Price Range: AUD $69.95 – $79.95
My first backpacking water filter was the Katadyn BeFree, bought on my sister’s advice. I used it on a 3-day overnight hike, and it worked fine at first. But later, when I bought one overseas, it barely worked at all. I tried every suggested cleaning method, but hardly any water would come out. That frustrating experience really shook my confidence in the BeFree.
The BeFree is basically a soft bottle with a filter screwed on top. Simple in concept, but in practice, it has quirks.
The Good Stuff
Packs down tiny — easily fits anywhere in your pack.
Fast flow — scoop and drink, no fiddling.
Travel-friendly — toss it in a suitcase and it takes almost no space.
The Annoying Stuff
Floppy and awkward — can flop out of side pockets.
Filter clogs easily — left unused, the flow slows to a trickle (as I experienced firsthand). No backflush option.
Fragile — one wrong squeeze and it might burst or leak.
Verdict: Works for short hikes or travel, but unreliable for longer trips or dirtier water sources. My personal experience — working fine on a 3-day hike, then failing overseas despite cleaning attempts — confirms this concern.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Review
Price Range: AUD $89.95 – $99.95
The Sawyer Squeeze is small, rugged, and versatile. It can attach to disposable bottles, fit in its pouch, or integrate with hydration setups. I’ve used it on trips up to 8 days without backflushing, and for months back-to-back in Tasmania, and it has never let me down. This is the hiking water filter I reach for every time.
Why I Like It
Reliable — even after days of heavy use, backflushing brings it back to full flow. Perfect for extended trips or muddy water.
Versatile — works with bottles, pouches, or hydration bladders.
Built to last — feels like gear you can trust deep in the backcountry.
What’s Meh
Pouches are fragile and can tear.
Flow decreases if not cleaned regularly, and a backflush syringe is needed.
Only removes bacteria and protozoa — no viruses.
Verdict: More parts, slightly more maintenance, but fully dependable — a true “workhorse” for hikers.
Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree; Which Hiking Water Filter Should You Buy?
I recommend the Sawyer Squeeze. After my frustrating experience with the BeFree — working fine on a 3-day hike, then failing overseas despite cleaning attempts — I wouldn’t trust it. The Sawyer, in contrast, has held up perfectly on long trips, back-to-back hikes, and even extended use in Tasmania. It might cost $10–$20 more, but it’s worth every penny.
Final Thought
Buying hiking gear is funny. Half the time we’re inspired by movies, siblings, or Instagram hikers. The other half is trial and error on trail. Both filters have their place, but the one that makes you feel confident drinking from a sketchy stream? That’s the best water filter for hiking — and for me, that’s the Sawyer Squeeze.
