Katadyn Group Names Mario Kalpou Brand Ambassador

 "Man Eats Wild" host and award-winning chef partners with Katadyn, AlpineAire, Trek'n Eat and Optimus—gear built for peak performance in unforgiving conditions

KEMPTTHAL, Switzerland, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Katadyn Group, a global leader in sustainable hydration, nutrition, and cooking solutions, announces Mario Kalpou as a company brand ambassador. Best known as the host of Man Eats Wild, Kalpou brings decades of real-world outdoor experience to his new role as a brand ambassador of Katadyn, AlpineAire Foods, and Optimus.

Kalpou recently added Katadyn Group gear to his survival essentials, with the BeFree AC Microfilter quickly becoming a standout. "When I'm in the wild, I need gear I can count on," Kalpou said. "The BeFree AC Microfilter delivers clean, great-tasting water—even when the source isn't ideal—which helps me stay hydrated and focused. It gives me peace of mind where failure isn't an option."

As part of the partnership, Kalpou will also use the Optimus Crux Lite stove and meals from AlpineAire and Trek'n Eat—testing performance and flavor in the field—and will provide direct feedback to Katadyn's product teams.

BeFree AC Microfilter: Clean, safe water anywhere

The BeFree AC Microfilter builds on Katadyn's best-selling BeFree design, adding activated carbon to improve taste while maintaining trusted microfiltration performance. Its two-stage system removes bacteria, protozoa, microplastics, chlorine and odors for clean, safe, great-tasting water.

Available in 1.0-liter and 0.5-liter sizes, the collapsible flask design packs down small and delivers up to 2 liters per minute—ideal for minimalist setups and endurance activity. The EZ-Clean Membrane™ allows for easy maintenance: just shake or swish to remove debris.

"Mario undertakes the kind of adventures our gear is built for," said Brook Hopper, director of marketing for Katadyn Group North America. "He brings authenticity, grit and a deep appreciation for reliable, sustainable tools—qualities that reflect our values and our legacy of Swiss precision."

The BeFree AC is available now. To find Katadyn products at REI, MEC and other select retailers, visit katadyn.locally.com.

Katadyn Group will exhibit at the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance (GOA) Trade Show, June 9–12 in Reno, Nevada, Booth T59, and at Switchback Spring, June 17–18 in Nashville, Tennessee, Booth 547.

About Mario Kalpou

Australian-born Mario Kalpou grew up between city and countryside—his father a farmer, his mother a waitress at the Wentworth Hotel, where his grandfather once worked as a world-class chef. After running several award-winning restaurants, Kalpou left urban life for rural New Zealand, where he opened an extreme-adventure lodge and became a professional guide. This experience inspired his television series Man Eats Wild, now airing internationally, which explores the intersection of wilderness survival and wild food culture.

About Katadyn Group

Katadyn Group is a global leader in sustainable hydration, nutrition, and cooking solutions, driven by its purpose: sustaining life no matter where. Serving the outdoor, marine, tactical, disaster readiness, and humanitarian aid industries, the company develops innovative products designed for the most challenging environments.

Its portfolio includes trusted brands such as Katadyn, Trek'n Eat, AlpineAire Foods, Optimus, and Spectra Watermakers, providing advanced water purification systems, freeze-dried meals, and portable cooking gear. Headquartered in Switzerland, Katadyn Group operates globally with manufacturing facilities in Europe and the U.S., employing more than 220 people worldwide. Learn more at katadyngroup.com.

Media Contact:
Brook Hopper
805-340-5034
[email protected] 

SOURCE Katadyn Group