Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket

Product Information

Pretty hand in a field, obviously. But see the cuff? It’s elastic on the bottom half, and nothing on the top half. The hole size is generally too big for me (and for most), so water gets in there easily. A hook and loop closure here is more common, and works way better. The Helium Bivy from Outdoor Research is a top selling bivy with a good reputation hitting the mid price point for bivy bags. It weighs in at just over 500g with the bag and pole included, or you can take that down to around 450 without the pole. The Outdoor Research Helium II rain shell is light, decently comfortable, and sheds rain and snow in a pinch. If you’re looking for an ultralight shell that won’t bankrupt you, this is the place to start. These are about as comfortable as rain pants come. The Helium material has the tiniest bit of stretch to it that is helpful if you’re hiking uphill. For the price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable pair that’s so light. The elastic waistband is great when you need to pull them on in a hurry. Assuming you want to keep your saddle-to-hood position consistent (the place you spend most of your time when riding a road bike), switching to this bar allowed me to lop off a not-insignificant 20mm off my stem length.

A hooped bivvy is a sort of halfway house (halfway tent?), comprising a single layer of breathable fabric with the portion above your head held aloft by a pole. You can actually find a bunch of garments that are made using the same technology, including the Helium Wind Hoodie, which we featured in our Outdoor 100 product guide last year. The bag doesn’t come with pegs and thus they’re not included in the weight. Unlike some other hooped bivvies, the Helium doesn’t stand up without pegs so really does need to be pegged out so you should factor those into your calculations (N.B. it’s quite common for manufacturers to exclude pegs in their total weights so this isn’t too scandalous). Update: We tested the Helium II in 2016, and beyond colorway updates, it remains the same. It’s a core piece of gear for Outdoor Research, and remains one of our favorites! Outdoor Research Helium II Specifications Award-winning for its ultralight prowess, updated with our most durable lightweight Helium fabric with Diamond Fuse technology. This clamshell opening bivy is ideal for fast and light missions. The tapered shape of the Helium Bivy works best with tapered shape sleeping pads with narrower dimensions at the foot, ideally 19” or narrower.

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Pertex Shield + is a 2.5-layer membrane that focuses on breathability and comfort. Even in the snow. Durability

The Helium’s design is pretty standard: slightly tougher material on the floor (Hydroseal) and a thinner waterproof material on top (Pertex Shield+). It has a zipped opening at one end with separate retractable waterproof and mosiquito net hoods. There are hoops for three pegs at the head, two at the feet and none on the sides. The sleeve for the hoop is opened by velcro at one end and sealed at the other, meaning you save a bit of weight by not having metal eyelets. It has a very thin plastic pole which would worry you if it were in a tent but is fine for a bivvy. The hood on the Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0 is of special note because it features an internal elastic band designed to ride directly on the forehead and turned out to be comfortable and effective, maintaining top-notch peripheral vision. I’ve only managed to get out for one (cold) night in the Helium but I’m already a total convert to hooped bivvys. Like my choice of cotton bar tape, I am a self-confessed fashion victim and haven’t ridden with mitts in years because I think they look super dorky.They provide protection against unpredictable weather conditions and the elements of nature. Gaiters protect lower legs and ankles and stop stones and water from entering your boots, they’re crucial when navigating challenging terrain. I like the fit a lot. The medium is true-to-size, as I wear mediums regularly. The cut is close but not slim, what Outdoor Research calls “Standard”. I could wear appropriate midlayers under the Helium II and still be comfortable in the high-20s (just below freezing). Style The number one feature of the Helium Bivy is its weight: 510g. That’s decent for any bivvy bag and remarkable for a hooped one. Helium Bivy weight vs other hooped bivvies: Bivvy Read the full Outdoor Research Helium Pants review below, and see where they rank on our guide to the Best Rain Pants! Outdoor Research Helium Pants Specifications The Infinite Guarantee: Outdoor Research gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product