Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
Get ready for fast-and-light missions with this clamshell-opening Outdoor Research Helium bivy. Its lightweight, durable fabric with Diamond Fuse technology gives it its ultralight prowess.
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- Waterproof/breathable Pertex® Shield fabric is fully seam-taped for protection from the elements
- Diamond Fuse fabric uses yarns with unique diamond-shaped filaments that lock together to create a durable and highly abrasion-resistant fabric
- No-nonsense clamshell opening with 2 internal fly fasteners is sure to handle seasons of adventuring to come
- No-see-um mesh helps keep the bugs out
- Single-pole system allows for quick setup and breakdown
- High-volume toe end
- 2 stake loops; 1 guyline loop
- Reflective logo and trims
- Weighs 15.8 oz. with the pole and 14.5 oz. without
Imported.
View the Outdoor Research Helium Product LineView all Outdoor Research Bivy Sacks| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3 - 4-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Weight | With pole: 15.8 oz.; without pole: 14.5 |
| Packed Size | 3.5 x 12.25 inches |
| Bivy Length | 82 inches |
| Shoulder Width | 26 inches |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria |
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Neither waterproof nor breathable
I took this on a 24 day extended backpacking trip, and wasn't able to try it out beforehand. Super light and easy to set up and break down. Unfortunately, even a light sprinkle left my sleeping bag wet so that I had to set up a tarp shelter to protect the bivy from the rain. On top of that, I had condensation inside every night in the dry High Sierra Mountains even though I slept with it open except for the mesh. I gave it 2 stars because I found it super easy and comfortable for warmth, wind, and bugs.
You Think It's Going to Be Great
I'd love to give this bivy two stars because I generally love OR products, but I can't. It's not waterproof. It doesn't breathe well. And the stake loops are not in helpful locations. Like, if you're gonna have stake loops, at least put enough so the bivy will keep its shape. Every time I've used this bivy, which is somewhere around 15-20 times now, I've woken up at least half drenched from the moisture of my own breathing, even when I used the mesh netting instead of closing the bivy completely. If you're doing a bikepacking race and only plan to sleep for two hours, it's better than the bare ground, but not by much.
Wet, Cold, and Suffocating
Please head this warning: Just returned from 14 days at 10,000' in Wyoming and the nights spent in this bivy were miserable. Woke up suffocated, cold, and dangerously wet. This bivy is not water resistant, let along waterproof, as stated in the description. Morning dew was enough to soak through my down sleeping bag. The nights it did rain, I was wet, cold, and miserable. What previous reviews say about the horrible design are all true- the mosquito netting sags on your face, and you cannot fully zip the rain cover due to lack of ventilation. Lack of guy lines keep the bivy fabric laying directly on your sleeping bag, resulting in wet misery, even on even on dry nights.
Not water resistant
Read the reviews, thought it couldn't be that bad. Five minutes of light rain later and there was water soaked through the top of the bivvy. If you bring a tarp you'll be OK, defeats the purpose for me of bringing a bivvy if I also have to bring other equipment.
lightweight very compactable!
I took this on a four day trip to the mountains, and it was amazing!! Light enough that I could roll it up with my sleeping bag inside and fit them both in my sleeping bag sack! Made for such an easy set up! stayed dry the entire time, not even a drop of condensation I was able to fit my pick down at the bottom off to the side and still had room for my legs to move around! great for star gazing! Would be nice if it had one extra stake loop for the top and bottom to help keep it tight and maybe an extra spot to help keep the flap up higher. It definitely does an amazing job for being a simple system!
Prior military and this bivy slaps
I used a bivy back in the Marines and slept in that with maybe a poncho liner. They can be a bit claustrophobic if you’re not used to sleeping like this. The little pole that keeps the bug net off your face helps a lot and is the biggest differentiator compared to military style bivys. I’ve been using this one for over 10 years and just camping on the ground. I recently moved to Kenya and I’ve been using mine to just sleep right there on the ground in the national parks without issue. If you’re not fussy about a luxurious sleeping experience in a tent, then this bivy is the lightweight solution for you! It can paired with a tarp to keep your pack dry and the high sidewalls keeps any nighttime rain out. I only use the bivy when I’m ready to sleep and don’t need a tent for sitting up and writing in a journal or whatever people imagine they’ll be doing out in the bush. Tho, you can do that too comfortably in this bivy.
Not recommended
Not at all waterproof. The bug net is nice, and it packs down really small which is good for ultralight trips however if there is any chance of rain this bivy will not protect you. I was caught 50 miles from the nearest trailhead when it started raining overnight with temps dropping to around 30 degrees. My sleeping bag got soaked due to water getting in through the bivy.
Not waterproof as advertised
This bivy is not waterproof. I was in a two hour rainstorm in the backcountry and about an hour into the storm the bivy started leaking. My down sleeping bag was getting wet and I was lucky the rain only lasted a short while otherwise I would have been in real trouble trying to stay warm at night. Do not recommend this bivy.
Condensation
I agree with many of the reviews here, condensation in this bivy is a huge problem. I’m lucky enough I haven’t been rained on while sleeping in it, so I can’t attest to the waterproofness, but that’s irrelevant if if you get soaked regardless if it’s raining or not. So if you buy it just plan a way to dry it out and your sleeping bag before packing up the next day. Or just don’t buy it.
I keep beating my head against the wall with this bag
Several bikepacking adventures. Most recent was the Arizona trail 800. The bag is super light weight and compact. It just seems to have zero ability to keep me dry when it rains - it holds the rain inside really well though! I like to use it for condensation from the outside elements - that is about the limit of it's waterproof ability. I have tried to love this thing because I coveted one for so long. The honest truth is this though- this is not a shelter - it is simply a bag cover for a little warmth and morning dew protection and maybe some bug protection - if you can deal with the poorly designed droopy mesh section - it will lay on your face.
