I’ve only managed to get out for one (cold) night in the Helium but I’m already a total convert to hooped bivvys.

The Infinite Guarantee: Outdoor Research gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the productWe tested the women’s Outdoor Research Helium Pants. They are also offered in a men’s model, and are the exact same except for fit. I do want to note that Outdoor Research includes an Infinity Guarantee on all of its products, which is a lifetime warranty for parts. The company’s reputation for fixes is very high, and if a zipper did fail you could send it in. An industry leading waterproof membrane for breathability. More on waterproof membranes in our Guide. A normal bivvy (short for bivouac) bag is simply a waterproof and windproof bag you slide all of your sleeping gear into. This protects you from inclement weather and is the lightest solution possible, but usually leaves your face exposed.

A modern tent usually comprises an inner and an outer layer (the flysheet) supported by poles. The outermost layer is waterproof and windproof and the inner – with the exception of the waterproof groundsheet – is made of a more breathable fabric. 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. 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.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. Pertex Shield + is a 2.5-layer membrane that focuses on breathability and comfort. Even in the snow. Durability I find the Helium Pants to be wonderfully breathable and had no issues at all with trapped moisture or overheating. I hiked in them and ran in them and was always very satisfied with how they regulated. Waterproofness – 5 Stars

The bivy/bivvy/bivi (however, you prefer) experience is pretty unique in camping terms. You are, as cheesy as it sounds, one with nature. With no doors or walls, like a tent, you are much more exposed to the elements and since a bivy is essentially a waterproof bag to sleep in, what else would you expect? This is certainly not going to be for everyone. On my first ever bivy trip we were wild camping in the Lake District with work, where two of us were using bivy bags with tarps. On the second night only one of us was!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). Jesting aside, the last set of mitts I had caused more problems than they solved, with the big chunky gel pads in the palm causing numbness on long rides. With that in mind, I’m really interested to see whether these will see me regularly be-gloved in the summer months once again.