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Why We Like The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy is ideal for moving fast through alpine terrain and wilderness expanses without excess weight slowing us down. Don't let its minimalist design fool you into thinking it's lacking weatherproof performance or functional features. The Helium Bivy offers total waterproofing and maximum breathability with its Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse 2.5-layer membrane, TPU floor lamination, and fully taped construction. We stay pleasantly dry when we're camping out in widely variable conditions, all without soaking in a steam room of built-up perspiration during humid summer months.
The Helium features a clamshell design that promotes a restful night's sleep with a Delrin Single-Pole system acting as a stabilizing structure for the bivy itself. The hood unzips during pleasant weather for extra ventilation and impressive stargazing potential. No-See-Um mesh lining keeps biting insects from eating you alive when you're sleeping with the hood unzipped. Other key features include dedicated straps for attaching your sleeping pad, an internal mesh pocket, and stake-down points for securing this bivy in nasty weather.
Details
- Ultralight bivy offers shelter in variable mountain conditions
- Clamshell design with Delrin Single-Pole System
- Waterproof Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse membrane and fully sealed seams
- TPU laminated floor prevents moisture and potential odor buildup
- Ventilated hood unzips with No-Se-Um mesh release hot air and moisture
- Sleeping pad straps secure a comfortable platform for rest
- Internal mesh pocket to stash overnight essentials
- Item #ODR00G2
- Material
- [membrane/laminate] Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse (2.5-layer), [upper] 30D nylon ripstop, [floor] 40D nylon with TPU lamination, [hood lining] no-see-em mesh
- Poles
- yes
- Pole Attachment
- sleeves
- Seams
- fully sealed
- Interior Height
- 19.75in
- Floor Dimensions
- 82 x 26-19in
- Packed Size
- 12.25 x 3.5in
- Trail Weight
- [with pole] 15.8oz, [without pole] 14.5oz
- Activity
- ultralight backpacking, mountaineering
- Manufacturer Warranty
- lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
4 based on 37 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageMay 1, 2024
Great quick/light option
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
- Height:
- 5' 10"
- Weight:
- 170
I’ve used this bivouac on a handful of excursions so far. It’s very versatile, sets up quickly, light weight, and the arch space over the face is a great comfort touch.
April 29, 2024
Have had several, will buy another
This product is great and works really well for solo camping. The biggest problem I have with the Helium Bivy is that the zippers fail easily.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
April 4, 2024
Owned for 10+ yrs & used 100+ times
This is my 3rd OR bivy; I had to return 2 because netting caught in zipper really bad and caused sever rips in netting. However, OR replaced them with NO hassle. The 3rd one I've had for many years and altogether, I've used the OR bivy at least 100 times. In the summer, when you first get in it can feel hot, but after 10 mins it adjusts. I've also been in downpours and was always dry. I have a Big Agnes too and hate it; I'm always getting wet when it rains. Highly recommend OR Bivy.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
February 9, 2024
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.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
January 30, 2024
Didn't get beyond the living room test
I was unable to try this out in the wild, as I had to return it due to the small guy line attachment point breaking while trying it out in my living room, but for what it's worth here's my review nonetheless. Overall, it appeared to be well constructed and packed down to a small and light size. However the small guy line loop was just not designed well or mine was defective. I also found the rain hood too fussy to tie up with the two retaining straps so that the rain hood would stay open nicely. It worked, but it was not ideal and could use a better system to keep it open. You may want to bring a binder clip or clothespin. I'm 6' 3" and fit well inside. I can't comment on the ventilation outdoors, but just zipping it mostly up, leaving about 8" open while in a house did get a little muggy. It's a waterproof bivy, so it comes with the territory. I may wait for an Ascentshell to go on sale and see if that works better.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
January 22, 2024
Mosquito Netting Poorly Designed
- Familiarity:
- I returned this product before using it
- Size Bought:
- reg
- Height:
- 6' 2"
- Weight:
- 175
This is my first time disappointed with a product from OR. To crawl into the Bivy you have to climb over the mosquito netting. There is no mechanism to tie the netting back or protect it from your body as you crawl into the Bivy. I expected the netting to attach towards the top of the bivy so that your body did not brush on top of it crawling into it. I expect the netting to rip very quickly.
January 6, 2024
Great Bivvy
I've used the Helium Bivvy a few times, most recently on a backpacking trip. It is not only lightweight and compressible but also has the creature comfort of a lightweight hoop. The fabric breathes exceptionally well. I camped next to a river and it still breathed well enough to keep me dry! I got sprinkled on in a previous trip and it kept the rain out as well. I'll be curious how the material holds up, but time will tell and I know OR's got my back.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
December 30, 2023
Can't believe this gets positive reviews at all
This thing neither protects from the rain nor allows a person to shut it entirely without suffocating. People who give this positive ratings must not actually need it to work. At best it provides a bit of protection against the wind and a few degrees of warmth that is immediately countered by the condensation built up on everything. Sleeping without it and a good Gortex bag is way better, or with a minimal tent that will actually protect from the rain and allow you to change out of your wet clothes without soaking the dry ones. I now understand the guy who scratched his first week of Tour Divide with one of these and came back the next year with an ultralight tent and owned it.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
December 16, 2023
The Helium Bivy replaced my tent
The Helium Bivy is a great product. Extremely packable and light and replaces my tent in most 3 season conditions. Smooth zippers. If you're looking for a sign to buy this, this is it. When it's raining/humid it can get a bit hot inside but it's well worth it for the waterproofing and warmth retention.
Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com
October 21, 2023
Beware: NOT waterproof!
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
We went on a trip to climb in the High Sierra in September. Bivy was brand new for my boyfriend. Rain started our first evening at 12k feet. Within a few hours, water had penetrated the fabric and was soaking his sleeping bag and all clothing inside. We bailed the next morning when we got a short break in the weather to pack up. This could have been a life or death experience, as temps were down in the teens. I have the OR Interstellar bivy (yellow bivy in photo) and I stayed dry during the entire ordeal. We noticed the fabric is much thicker on mine. Spend the extra money on a 4-season for rain protection.
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