The Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy is one of those items that you might hope you never need but are absolutely thrilled to have at the ready just in case. It weighs just 9.6 ounces, packs down small, and delivers waterproof/protective shelter for emergency situations. The bivy has 84' x 36' in-use dimensions so you hunker safely inside it with or without a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Its lightweight 30D Pertex Shield 2.5L nylon fabric is durable, breathable, and completely waterproof.
The Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy is one of those items that you might hope you never need but are absolutely thrilled to have at the ready just in case. It weighs just 9.6 ounces, packs down small, and delivers waterproof/protective shelter for emergency situations. The bivy has 84' x 36' in-use dimensions so you hunker safely inside it with or without a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Its lightweight 30D Pertex Shield 2.5L nylon fabric is durable, breathable, and completely waterproof.
in 2 offers
The lowest price for Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy right now is $249.95 at K2 Base Camp, compared across 2 retailers.
The all-time low was $127.47 on 24 Sept 2024 — today's price is 96% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 7 Oct 2026.
Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy
The Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy is one of those items that you might hope you never need but are absolutely thrilled to have at the ready just in case. It weighs just 9.6 ounces, packs down small, and delivers waterproof/protective shelter for emergency situations. The bivy has 84' x 36' in-use dimensions so you hunker safely inside it with or without a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Its lightweight 30D Pertex Shield 2.5L nylon fabric is durable, breathable, and completely waterproof.
The Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy is one of those items that you might hope you never need but are absolutely thrilled to have at the ready just in case. It weighs just 9.6 ounces, packs down small, and delivers waterproof/protective shelter for emergency situations. The bivy has 84' x 36' in-use dimensions so you hunker safely inside it with or without a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Its lightweight 30D Pertex Shield 2.5L nylon fabric is durable, breathable, and completely waterproof.
Last updated at 07/10/2026 02:31:45
Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy - Paprika
Free delivery between Fri – Mon
Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy Paprika One Size
Delivery between 8–20 Oct $28.64
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
Used on a backpacking trip up in the Rockies, and I will use it again. Worked great for what it is. Packed up really small. The boys I were with slept under a tarp we setup for them, and I slept in this, stayed warm and dry. Would love to have a half zipper on it, but at the price I got it for and that its technically an emergency bivy, its fantastic.
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
My friend and I bought these as an option when we want to drop some weight for a trip. It is so small and light! It said that it would turn a 3 season bag into a 4, and it's true! I am always cold, and I was blown away byhow well it insulates. No condensation and dampness, just cozy and dry. It's also roomy enough for all your sleep gear, and a small dog in my case.Would definitely recommend to a friend!Nice work OR!
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
Wonderfully light weight. I've used it for tarp/bivy combo in warm spring weather. There was the "sensation" of condensation in the bag, but little actual condensation. I did not close the bivy completely but used it as a cover for my sleeping bag.
| Groundsheet Water Resistance | Protects you from ground water and rain spray |
| Top Use Cases | Emergency |
| Waterproof Rating | Waterproof |
| Trail Weight | Can save weight (by leaving pole behind), 14% lighter than last season's Helium Bivy |
| Packed Weight | 448 g |
Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy - Paprika
Free delivery between Fri – Mon
Outdoor Research Helium Emergency Bivy Paprika One Size
Delivery between 8–20 Oct $28.64
Used on a backpacking trip up in the Rockies, and I will use it again. Worked great for what it is. Packed up really small. The boys I were with slept under a tarp we setup for them, and I slept in this, stayed warm and dry. Would love to have a half zipper on it, but at the price I got it for and that its technically an emergency bivy, its fantastic.
My friend and I bought these as an option when we want to drop some weight for a trip. It is so small and light! It said that it would turn a 3 season bag into a 4, and it's true! I am always cold, and I was blown away byhow well it insulates. No condensation and dampness, just cozy and dry. It's also roomy enough for all your sleep gear, and a small dog in my case.Would definitely recommend to a friend!Nice work OR!
Wonderfully light weight. I've used it for tarp/bivy combo in warm spring weather. There was the "sensation" of condensation in the bag, but little actual condensation. I did not close the bivy completely but used it as a cover for my sleeping bag.
I bought this as both an emergency bivy for fast and light climbs as well as to mitigate the condensation issue I have had in my single-wall mountaineering tent. Keeps my sleeping bag protected from moisture and adds a little warmth while packing down to the size of a soda can!
I have not yet used this bivy sack, But I feel confident it will be awesome for my main reason for purchasing, is mainly to prevent my down bag from the moisture that seems inevitable when tenting in rain or coastal areas.It’s feels very well made, like my MSR tent, only a bit heavier material . Unfortunately i likely won’t be testing it out until next spring.. But Im keeping it!!
This review is premature. I have never slept in this bivy sack and hope never to have to. I purchased this it throw into my back-country ski pack in the event an emergency bivy becomes necessary. The bag doesn't take up much room in the pack and is basically a sack with a draw string on it. Nothing fancy, but it seems like it would be functional. Of course, it wouldn't add much insulation, but it could keep me dry and together with a puffy on my torso, my legs inside the day pack and some tree branches underneath me, it could save my life.
I really like having a long lasting emergency bivvy sack that I can pop in to the bottom of my pack. It makes me feel better that I can help someone be more comfortable if they've had an accident. I also intend to use it for bivvies on multi peak traverses where weight is so crucial.
Last week, I took my new OR Helium Emergency Bivy out for its inaugural backpack, to North Matthieu Lake in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range. I'm a big fan of OR and this bivy didn't let me down. Night time temperatures were in the 20s and there was 3-5 inches of snow on the ground, at the campsite. I wanted something that was light and packable. At 9.6 ounces and packing down to the size of a beer can, it didn't let me down. I like to use a bivy sack inside the tent. It will add warmth in the winter, but also has advantages the rest of the year. The key to a good bivy is breathability. Aluminized bivys are becoming popular, but I question the extent of their breathability. OR uses their Helium Pertex which is very breathable. In warm weather you want to release ... MoreLast week, I took my new OR Helium Emergency Bivy out for its inaugural backpack, to North Matthieu Lake in Oregon's Cascade Mountain Range. I'm a big fan of OR and this bivy didn't let me down. Night time temperatures were in the 20s and there was 3-5 inches of snow on the ground, at the campsite. I wanted something that was light and packable. At 9.6 ounces and packing down to the size of a beer can, it didn't let me down. I like to use a bivy sack inside the tent. It will add warmth in the winter, but also has advantages the rest of the year. The key to a good bivy is breathability. Aluminized bivys are becoming popular, but I question the extent of their breathability. OR uses their Helium Pertex which is very breathable. In warm weather you want to release moisture from sweaty heat. In winter, you want to release moisture from condensation. In no event do you want to wake up in a wet sleeping bag because your bivy bag didn't breathe. Another reason to use a bivy bag inside of a tent is to protect your bag from condensation dripping off the tent ceiling. In the summer, you may have camped too close to a lake. In winter, your breath may have condensed on the tent ceiling and walls. The last thing you want is a bag that became soaked from water drops dripping off the inside of the tent. The bivy worked. My bag was dry, it held my pad and air mattress in place, and helped my 15 degree bag stay warm in temperatures approaching it's lower comfort rating. Although it's not a huge big deal, and it might add a little weight and bulk, but, I would suggest an option so as to be able to partially open the side of the bivy. Currently, the bivy has only a drawstring top entrance. Overall, another great OR product.
Small and very lightweight - perfect for throwing in the bottom of a bag when going out doors as a just-in-case.I brought it along on a weekend trip out to an old cabin in the woods last October. Snow started falling part way through the hike in, and as dusk arrived, I was very glad to have the bivy in case I didn't make it to the cabin and needed to stay out that night. I ended up making it to the cabin, and used the bivy to protect and keep my air pad and sleeping bag clean on the dirty cabin floor. Additionally, the bivy kept me significantly warmer in the teen temperatures (I needed to shed my puffy in the night).The material is very thin, but appears to be pretty durable. It has taped seams, and I would trust it for a light rain, but definitely not a ... MoreSmall and very lightweight - perfect for throwing in the bottom of a bag when going out doors as a just-in-case.I brought it along on a weekend trip out to an old cabin in the woods last October. Snow started falling part way through the hike in, and as dusk arrived, I was very glad to have the bivy in case I didn't make it to the cabin and needed to stay out that night. I ended up making it to the cabin, and used the bivy to protect and keep my air pad and sleeping bag clean on the dirty cabin floor. Additionally, the bivy kept me significantly warmer in the teen temperatures (I needed to shed my puffy in the night).The material is very thin, but appears to be pretty durable. It has taped seams, and I would trust it for a light rain, but definitely not a downpour.The shape is just a rectangle with a drawstring top. Simple enough, but I wish it had more of a mummy bag design with a hood to help keep the sleeping pad tucked inside without the drawstring needing to be completely closed.Additionally, I got this on sale, and probably wouldn't pay full price. It's just expensive for basically a Tyvek fabric stitched closed on 3 sides.Happy with the purchase and would recommend to anyone looking for a small and light backup outer layer
This bivy should only be used for emergencies: do not buy this product expecting it to be adequate for regular use. In particular, this bivy is NOT waterproof at all. You are highly likely to wake up in a puddle. This has been the unfortunate experience for not only me, but for three other friends who bought the same product. If you want and expect your bivy to keep you dry, look at the Alpine bivy instead, i.e. a product that uses GoreTex.
| Groundsheet Water Resistance | Protects you from ground water and rain spray |
| Top Use Cases | Emergency |
| Waterproof Rating | Waterproof |
| Trail Weight | Can save weight (by leaving pole behind), 14% lighter than last season's Helium Bivy |
| Packed Weight | 448 g |
