Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree vs Platypus Quickdraw – GWC Mag

How to Choose Between Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree vs Platypus Quickdraw

When shopping for a backpacking water filter, most hikers should immediately eliminate all other filter options from consideration and choose between the aforementioned Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree vs Platypus Quickdraw. We repeat that you should avoid pump filters and gravity filters, because they’re too slow and inefficient to use on the go, forcing you to carry more water weight in your pack.

Exceptions to the above recommendations may include scenarios involving group base camping (in which case a gravity filter or chemicals may be justified), and for environmental conditions which requires alternative or additional water treatment. During winter, when temps never rise above freezing, it is inadvisable to carry this type of filter. If water freezes and expands inside the hollow fiber membrane, it will become damaged and fail to remove bacteria, protozoa, gunk, etc.

So once you have narrowed in on choosing between Sawyer Squeeze vs Katadyn BeFree vs Platypus Quickdraw, the next step is determining how you plan to use your filter, which will inform your ultimate purchase decision. performance within this group of three is quite flat and which you should choose may come down to personal preference or simply whichever you can find on sale when it’s time to buy. Once each filter has been used a few times and entered midlife, they all have a similar flow rate, though perhaps Sawyer is still slightly slower.

For most people, combining a Sawyer Squeeze with a 1L Smartwater bottle is the most efficient, reliable, and longest lasting system. If you aren’t sure which to choose, just go with that.

If you lack the shoulder mobility to reach back into your side pocket while wearing your pack, we strongly recommend choosing the .6L Katadyn BeFree and pairing it with a shoulder strap mounted holster. This is the most efficient system in terms of on-the-go drinking, and also provides the ergonomic benefit of balancing out how the weight of your supplies are carried.

Lastly, the QuickDraw. Choose QuickDraw if you plan to frequently store your filter in a pocket or a ditty sack because the bottom end cap prevents water from dripping out. This can be relevant in cold conditions, when you need to keep it stored against your body to pass heat and prevent it from freezing. The bladder is also great in cold weather, as you can dip into a lake or creek without getting your hands wet and cold. QuickDraw is our preferred pick for cold weather.