Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Outdoor Research 2019 Helium Bivy
01 / 05
Outdoor Research 2019 Helium Bivy
bookmark_border
Where's the price?
To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
1.5K requests
Product Description
The lightest in Outdoor Research’s line of bivy sacks, the Helium Bivy weighs in at 18 ounces and features a streamlined clamshell design ideal for minimalist solo expeditions. Waterproof and super breathable with Pertex Shield+ fabric on top and a durable 70D nylon floor, the Helium Bivy is ready for many seasons of adventuring Read More
search
close
Sort by: Top Conversations
keyboard_arrow_downAndru
27
Mar 25, 2018
Be warned: this sucks in more ways than it excels.
It's super light and packs small. It has the option of a bugnet over your head so you lie out under the stars without being bitten to death.
Unfortunately there are some really poor design choices. No interior loops and toggles means having the bugnet up will leave the waterproof cover dangling right in your face/neck. There's a small wall around the bottom of the entry but it has neither enough of it's own tension to stay up, nor any way to peg it out, so unless you ram something up against it, there's not enough tension to really keep the bugnet away from your face. Even with something keeping the wall up, I still had to use some clothes pegs to pin the bugnet up to some guylines; and some more clothes pegs to peg the hanging fabric away from my face.
What should be a simple set-up suddenly becomes an effort and a cramped and frustating experience getting things clipped right while you're inside the bivy.
I lost this at the end of a trip. I won't be replacing it.
It's super light and packs small. It has the option of a bugnet over your head so you lie out under the stars without being bitten to death.
Unfortunately there are some really poor design choices. No interior loops and toggles means having the bugnet up will leave the waterproof cover dangling right in your face/neck. There's a small wall around the bottom of the entry but it has neither enough of it's own tension to stay up, nor any way to peg it out, so unless you ram something up against it, there's not enough tension to really keep the bugnet away from your face. Even with something keeping the wall up, I still had to use some clothes pegs to pin the bugnet up to some guylines; and some more clothes pegs to peg the hanging fabric away from my face.
What should be a simple set-up suddenly becomes an effort and a cramped and frustating experience getting things clipped right while you're inside the bivy.
I lost this at the end of a trip. I won't be replacing it.
marchica88
12
Jun 9, 2018
AndruYou did yourself a favor by losing it. It's not waterproof, and I almost froze to death because of this claim. Returned it promptly.
Andru
27
Jun 10, 2018
theres a loop and toggle which is used to tie up the bugnet, but the waterproof cover then dangles inside the bivvy right at neck/chin level, and there’s not enough tension in the bugnet to keep it away from your face. It’s a pretty serious design flaw for something this expensive.
SYSTEM-GLITCH
130
Apr 25, 2017
I get claustrophobic looking at this, and I'm not claustrophobic. What is it like sleeping in something so compact? I suppose being able to look out the window probably alleviates any feeling of claustrophobia?
rowidont
6
Sep 25, 2018
SYSTEM-GLITCHFirst time might be a little rough, but once you're used to it I find it really cozy. Of course read the other reviews about rain, try are not wrong. I stayed dry in the rain, but since you neeeeed to leave the fly open I ended up with a puddle on the floor of my bivy.
SabotenBeer
19
Jul 31, 2019
You've never lived until you've been tea-bagged by a raccoon in the middle of the night.
scope
198
Apr 17, 2017
Having a problem understanding why an ultralight product like this bivy (aren't bivy's the epitome of ultralight?) is listed in "Outdoors" and not "Ultralight", while the Kovea adapter that allows their ultralight stove to be used on the very heavy Coleman cannisters is listed in "Ultralight" - I mean, I know the stove is ultralight, but c'mon. At the very least, it should be listed as both. If there was ever a product to listed in only the Ultralight section, it would be this bivy.
Happily-Me
38
Aug 25, 2017
scopeWhy not reduce the confusion and have them listed in both categories. It keeps things humming along.
marchica88
12
Jun 9, 2018
NOT WATERPROOF. You have to leave a portion of it unzipped if you are closing it up completely or you will suffocate. Bought this once from REI and took it to the Smokies. It rained and after a short period it was raining inside the bivy. Soaked me completely. Use with a tarp if you have the chance of getting rained on. Also the netting rests on your face. Buyer beware.
sethd513
14
Apr 13, 2017
I have a helium bivy. My cousin and I went out on a -10 degree night and he was In the advanced bivy. We had to zip up as the snow was flying. In the am my bag was frosted up bad. His nothing. I couldn't do multiple harsh nights in the helium in winter.
DannyMilks
4557
Apr 13, 2017
sethd513Thanks for the review and comparison of the two bivy sacks, Seth. Your conclusion sounds about right - that the ultralight helium bivy is not suited for snpw and severe cold. For that you'd need to step up to the Alpine Bivy or a winter tent. That's probably true of any Ultralight shelter. Thanks!
sethd513
14
Apr 13, 2017
DannyMilksI totally agree. In the warm weather I feel as though the material will open up better with the helium and allow for more breathability. At 18oz you won't even feel it or see it in your pack
djpr
304
Aug 24, 2017
I've been tossing up about getting on the drop for either this or the alpine bivy for times when I am walking tracks with huts that I may need to sleep in my own shelter from time to time, when the huts are full.
Condensation sounds like it can be an issue in any closed bivy, with that in mind does anyone have recommendations as to which bag would be the better one to purchase?
I occassionally camp in low alpine areas but not in the winter/the snow.
Condensation sounds like it can be an issue in any closed bivy, with that in mind does anyone have recommendations as to which bag would be the better one to purchase?
I occassionally camp in low alpine areas but not in the winter/the snow.
Mebaru
76
Nov 21, 2017
djprCondensation is inevitable. You will need tarp to tackle it. Good read on the topic - https://40yearsofwalking.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/the-bivy-condensation-conundrum/
A community member
Nov 21, 2017
MebaruYes, good point - my intention is to get a bivy for splash/wind protection under a tarp - so a air permeable fabric is the way to go it seems.
i do not think that this bivy is made from an air permeable textile - pertex do make one, but this isn't it.
OM357
44
Jan 18, 2017
I have the Alpine bivy sack and have used it for years @ high country camping. It has help up well and has kept my nice and warm. This last year during elk hunting it got down to 15 degrees at night and i slept through the night without any problem. yes condensation is a thing even with the alpine but it's pretty minor.
EricWinter
8
Nov 23, 2015
ok weird random question i know im a rare exception ,im 6'11 so im 83 inches tall this is 84 am i too tall for this?
DannyMilks
4557
Nov 23, 2015
EricWinterYes, @EricWinter, you are definitely too tall for this bivy. Given your height, you'll have no room for your sleeping bag to loft at your feet and head. I do not know of any bivy sack on the market that would fit you, so your only option is to have a custom one made. I would suggest Borah Gear.
andrew_bc
9
Nov 15, 2015
FYI to Canadian 'droppers: even at the fully discounted price, with shipping, this is virtually the exact same off-the-shelf price as offered at MEC (after currency exchange). So a great deal for US 'droppers, but Canadians would be better served just buying from MEC (plus their 100% return guarantee).
Codysheep
3
Nov 15, 2015
The dampness is due to your breath which condensates on the inside walls. The best cure for this is getting a bivy that has mesh over your face and not fully closed like this one. Odds are you will have a tarp over you anyway so rain wont get in the mesh.
JerkyKen
136
Oct 10, 2016
If you are going to add a tarp you might as well get a single occupant, single wall tent for more ventilation and livable space for the same if not less weight. If you go with a large enough tarp, say 8x10 you don't need a bivy.
Showing 36 of 82
Recent Activity
Related Products
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop