Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Weighing in at only 18 oz., this is the lightest weight bivy available from Outdoor Research. With a classic clamshell design, it's waterproof, breathable and ready for many seasons of adventures.
Shop newer version- Light and supple Pertex® Shield+ 2.5-layer ripstop nylon fabric with fully taped seams creates a waterproof, windproof and highly breathable barrier against the elements
- Waterproof, 70-denier nylon floor features an anti-fungal coating to cut the funk
- Shockcorded Delrin® overhead pole, high-volume toe end and removable no-see-um mesh netting at the opening add comfort to this minimalist shelter
- Features 5 stake loops, 1 guyline loop, sleeping pad straps and a small internal mesh pocket
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 1-person |
| Weight | 1 lb. 2 oz. |
| Packed Size | 4 x 15 inches |
| Bivy Length | 84 inches |
| Shoulder Width | 26 inches |
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I'm happy with it
I've used this bivy over twelve nights on a few separate trips. As others have mentioned it's lightweight and easy to setup. The zipper is smooth and the bag compresses down pretty small. It seems to be holding up great, I haven't noticed any unusual wear and tear. So far I've only needed to brush off some trail dust. Moisture can be an issue, but a manageable one. I found that if I left the entry partially unzipped and propped open, the inside stayed mostly dry even in rain and snow. If it's clear I leave the pole out and roll down the entry so it's completely open.
Great little Bivy
I've used this bivy a few dozens times now in all conditions. You really cannot beat how simple and light this thing is! It has kept me dry in hail, snow, and rain. Worst conditions were -5F at 14,000 feet but never had a problem! For those who are talking about condensation issues: use one or two lightweight stakes at the bottom, one or two at the top, and a guyline from the top of the pole. This keeps the bivy open so it can breath, and keeps intense winds from slapping the material all over. I rarely get condensation when I do this - only a small amount on the most humid days (or if I have to close it for a rough rainstorm).
Well made, good fabrics, some design issues
The fabric is soft and breathable and still waterproof. I slept right in the danger temp zone next to a river after a week of hard rain and I was fine, sleeping with the bug net closed only. I did have a guy line keeping the pole from flopping down. My only issue is the bizzare flap thats in your face without a tie up in bug mode. I think they made it so your head could be out but your body would be inside but all it does is reduce ventilation and collect condensation. Very odd. The zipper issues were fine but the flap just doesn't make sense. Still, I'll not likely bring a full tent with me ever again. It works well and disappears in your bag.
Hot and Cold
This shelter is super light and easy to set up. I was surprised at home much head room I did have. However, there were some drawbacks. It is very breathable, except where the seams are taped and condensation collects. This didn't significantly alter the performance of my down sleeping bag but I did wake up a few time to wetness. Also, wind can be an issue with the single-wall design (probably like all bivy's though) as the as that means you're likely to have wall flapping around on you- combine that with moisture on the seams means problems. I haven't tried other bivy's so I can't say the problems are inherent in this one alone, but definitely think about getting a bivy versus a light tent
Poor Rain-Fly and Bug-Net Zipper Design.
Going to add my 2 cents about the "Flap" that some of the other reviews have mentioned. The rain-fly and bug-net is one piece. When the rain-fly is down it's not much of an issue. But if you want to open it up to have some ventilation or use only the bug-net it creates a sag in the rain-fly that sits right on your face. If you bush it down it becomes a curtain that separates your head from your body and traps in all the heat and moisture.I suppose the other option would be to not use the pole; however, the issue with this would be then the bug-net sits on your face and essentially offering no protection. I tested it in my living room and I can say that the design is a deal breaker I will be returning it to REI.
Condensation Nightmare
I recently took this bivy out on a 4 day bicycle touring trip through the Texas hill country with the first night at Enchanted Rock. It had stormed the previous night, leaving the ground damp, but not soaked by the time we arrived. Within minutes of being inside the bivy in my sleeping bag and liner, I was experiencing condensation issues. The weather for the closest town said it was 41 out with a dew point of 40. We showed 36 degrees at the campsite. I ended up having to place my sleeping bag on the concrete picnic table platform just to try and sleep without moisture. Worst experience with a piece of equipment ever. Returned it immediately upon coming home.
did not preform well in the rockies
Easy set up. Decent design. I did like the extra elbow room and the bevy didn't touch my face at all. Problem was my down sleeping bag was covered in frost. It looked more like snow. I would not of been able to stay out another night nor would I trust it in the future if my bag gets covered in moisture each night. I set up camp at about 12,000ft. In the Colorado Rockies. Slept great all night and woke up to water droplets hitting my face and after getting out of the bivy and pulling out my sleeping back I was surprised to see it covered in what looked like snow. Weather was about 35-40 degrees and not a cloud in the sky.
Well made and has usable features
I have used this 3 time in various conditions from 2,000 ASL desert around 15*F up to 10,000+ ASL in wind and t-storms with temps in the high 30's/low 40's. The first night I encountered a very heavy dew around 3-4am and had closed the zipper all the way. When I woke up the top of my down bag was soaked with condensation. So condensation can be an issue unless you're careful to vent it properly. I leave about 6 inches of the zipper unzipped. One thing that seems to help is whenever I wake up at night, I push the top up as high as I can to draw in fresh air and then, when it drops, push out the moisturized air inside. So far, that has prevented any kind of significant condensation build up. The zippers are very smooth and switching from completely open, to bug screen deployed, to rain hood closed is very easy. The stitching is high quality and the fabric is exactly the right combination of durability and lightness. Packs up small too. Another thing I like is the size, I'm 5'9" with very broad shoulders and it seems pretty roomy. I can easily fit my 35l pack inside but I have scoot down until my toes, at full extension are almost touching the bottom and my head is almost touching the pack. I use a 2" thick 25" wide pad. I use this primarily with my light-weight hiking gear set up.
Superlight and does what it's supposed to
Bivys aren't for everyone-- they're claustrophobic for some and there's no room inside for your pack (although I found enough room for my hiking shoes and an extra layer) but overall I think this is a really good value. Kept me warm and dry in the rain and snow in the Grand Canyon on a recent R2R2R hike. In fact it works better in snow than rain-- condensation can become an issue on the inside of the bag during a long rain. But either way it does the job at a really good price and weight. One word of caution-- you really do need to keep the clamshell open about 8-10 inches for ventilation. The fabric is really airtight especially when wet or frost-covered. I was getting short of breath before I figured out it wasn't the altitude but the bag itself that wasn't allowing enough O2 to get inside.
Almost Unusable
Got this for its light weight and simplicity. Took it out for two nights of cool dry North Cascade October weather. First night was a little above freezing, second a little below. Even leaving the fly all the way open and head out I got soaked both nights. There's something seriously wrong with this design. Also the bug screen is almost useless because you can't get it tensioned enough to stay off your face - even with stakes and guy line(s). And the fly droops down on your neck. I ended up using some clips to hold the fly off me and to increase the ventilation. No matter, I got soaked anyway. Oh, also it weighs in at 18.5oz but when you add stakes, guy line and a few little clips it's closer to 23oz. Knowing I'd never use it again I returned it to the store.