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Outdoor Research
Helium Bivy

3.787878787878788 out of 5 stars
33 Reviews

Out of Stock

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Why We Like The Helium Bivy

Tipping the scales at just barely over a pound, the Helium Bivy is what we grab to move fast through alpine terrain and wilderness expanses without excess weight slowing us down. The Helium Bivy offers total waterproofing and maximum breathability with its Pertex Shield+ 2.5-layer membrane, TPU floor lamination, and fully taped construction. Ultimately, this means you stay pleasantly dry when you're camping out in widely variable conditions, all without soaking in a sauna during humid summer months.


Details

  • Ultralight bivy boasts phenomenal weather protection for backpacking
  • Pertex Shield + is reliably waterproof and comfortably breathable
  • Clamshell opening is easy to get in and provides plenty of space
  • Delrin single-pole system with two stake loops and one guy line loop
  • Internal straps for sleeping pads
  • Item #ODRZ8NC
Material
[membrane/laminate] Pertex Shield+ (2.5-layer), [upper] 30D nylon ripstop, [floor] 40D nylon with TPU lamination, [hood lining] no-see-um mesh
Poles
1
Pole Attachment
Delrin single-pole system
Ventilation
no-see-um mesh
Seams
fully sealed
Interior Height
19.5in
Floor Dimensions
26 x 87 x 20in
Floor Space
82 x 26 - 19in
Packed Size
12.25 x 3.5in
Trail Weight
15.8oz
Packed Weight
16.8oz
Activity
backpacking
Manufacturer Warranty
lifetime

Overall Rating

4 based on 33 ratings

Review Summary

1 Stars - 4 reviews
2 Stars - 3 reviews
3 Stars - 4 reviews
4 Stars - 7 reviews
5 Stars - 15 reviews

What do you think about this product?

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2 out of 5 stars

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.

SunDog
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

3 out of 5 stars

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.

Neal
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

5 out of 5 stars

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.

Joseph
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

1 out of 5 stars

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.

rwxrob
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

5 out of 5 stars

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.

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Max B
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

4 out of 5 stars

September 5, 2023

Alpine luxury. Would recommend

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Worked great for me on Mt Baker. Winds were howling but inside I was snug as a bug. Only thing that bothered me was the fabric hit my face sometimes in heavy gusts.

Kevin
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

4 out of 5 stars

August 11, 2023

Solid Bivy

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Simple, lightweight, easy to set up. For a solo trip it's nice knowing you have good protection from the rain without having to carry a full tent. My only qualm with it so far is that the system for "rolling up" the rain fly when you want to only use the mosquito net is not very good. It has a tendency to flop in your face. I found ways to work around it, but a little better design would have been nice here. But overall, it has served me well, so far!

Chris
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

3 out of 5 stars

July 27, 2023

Design error

This bivvy has a design error that arises from the pole that has been added. When using the flyscreen, the cover cannot be tucked away properly. It has 2 clips that are very ineffective. If the fly was zipped to the base of the cover, instead of to the end of the cover, the problem would have been avoided ... the cover would have been able to have been folded back over the bag. When needed, it could be folded forward, over the flyscreen, and zipped to the top of the floor. I owned the earlier version of the bag, which was fine ... til the waterproofing failed.

Dradb
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

5 out of 5 stars

July 23, 2023

Best OR purchase yet

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Best bivy you can buy. The archway is a gamechanger and the mosquito net is the only thing holding my sanity together, even at night the bugs have been relentless from our big spring runoff here in the Sawtooth Mountains.

Max
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com

5 out of 5 stars

July 9, 2023

Best bivy sack I've ever used

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Incredibly light, especially considering that it has a pole that keeps it from feeling like a body bag.

Misha
outdoorresearch.com

Originally reviewed on outdoorresearch.com