The gold standard in high flow-rate lightweight filtration

Katadyn Be Free Replacement Filter

My experiences with the Katadyn Be Free Replacement Filter on the AT & climbing 14ers in Colorado have been excellent/reliable (purchased this spare filter to replace one filter that slowed after 2.5 yrs of use). Prior to Spring 2020, I used Sawyer Squeeze for all missions (still great/reliable solution) and started cautiously using the Be Free 1 liter in Spring 2020 after reading multiple positive reviews (I purchased qty 3). Takes less than half the time for me to filter water (a big deal). With other hikers (who have been kind enough to share their experiences in reviews and/or youtube) labeling the Be Free as clogging quicker than the Sawyer Squeeze filter, I orig purchased qty 3 of the 1 liter Be Free's. I originally carried a spare BeFree filter & container just in case. After 720 miles of AT/Colorado hiking Climbing (almost all those miles on one Be Free filter), I have had no issues with the 1 liter flex container (I was skeptical at first). The filter(s) have held up also. I have Qty 3 filters/1 liter containers and have only had to replace one filter in the 2.5 years I have been using BeFree (I really only used one of those qty 3 filters - the other two are materially unused). I have no issue(s) with the BeFree except for one understandable slow down event (visible material in water late at night - I'm confident it would have slowed any filter). Using the Backpackinglight recommended filter maintenance (soaking & backflushes w warm water, citric acid, & Chlorine Dioxide - Micropur or Aquamira) for my BeFree & Sawyer filters - only one of my filters has not been able to maintain new flow rate (I flow test each filter after returning from a hike or climb, after I do the BPL procedure). I love the BeFree (I used to consider water filtering w the Sawyer Squeeze as a longer duration chore that required effort. The BeFree has simplified/shortened that chore where it's not on my mind as much). So now that I'm confident in the BeFree, after many miles of carrying a spare entire filter/container or, just a spare BeFree filter in my accy bag, I have stopped carrying a spare (I've always carried a small qty of Micropur for just in case). In my AT section hiking resupply boxes (eg for my 240 mile section hikes on the AT, where I might have qty 3 resupply boxes), I did go ahead and include a spare BeFree filter in the resupply boxes (haven't had to use yet; I stop back by my resupply points on the way home, picking up the unused items in my resupply boxes). I still have all my Sawyer filters, bags, syringes, but...., haven't used them since Spring 2020. I'm a huge BeFree fan! And with the BPL cleaning/backflush/deposit removal methods (citric acid), my plan is to stick with the BeFree, not carry a spare, replace any filter I use after 2+ years, and have a spare BeFree avail in my resupply boxes (when practical).