966g / 800 fill-power / -9°C (limit)

What we liked: Premium down fill is high-loft; second venting zip adds versatility; it’s comfortable
What we don’t like: No neck baffle, not particularly light for the price

Overview

The Helium is a premium sleeping bag filled with 566g of 800 fill-power down. It has a ¾-length main zip with anti-snag slider and a shorter ventilation zip. Both the down fill and the bag’s Pertex Quantum fabric are water resistant.

Fit and comfort 

The Helium comes in one size and was slightly long for my 1.76m stature. The narrow footbox and cosy shoulder girth provided a comfortable, thermally efficient fit, but a broad-shouldered person might need a wider bag. The hood drawcord is positioned on the exterior so it doesn’t tickle your face. Absent, though, is a neck baffle, so this bag doesn’t trap air as well as some. The secondary zip allows the top couple of baffles to be folded down for ventilation, or to free your arms. 

Warmth 

The -9°C (limit) rating positions this as a versatile bag that’s warm enough for winter tramping as well as shoulder seasons in the alpine zone. Colder sleepers could consider it for summer alpine trips, too. With extra clothes and an R4.5-plus sleeping mat, I’d be comfortable pushing this bag a few degrees colder, but the lack of a neck baffle means it’s not as cosy as it could be.  

Weight 

This bag is labelled ‘ultralight’ but isn’t the lightest in its class due to its ¾-zip and venting zip.     

Water resistance

The Helium is bivouac-ready, with ExpeDry-treated down coupled with water-resistant fabric. I paired it with a bivvy bag for an alpine night under the stars, and it remained dry and lofty.

Value

It is not the cheapest or lightest in its class, but some will find its fit and feature set ideal.  

Why buy the Helium? 

It’s a warm, comfortable, well-ventilated bag, but those pushing it to its extremes might regret the absence of a neck baffle.  

We recommend for: Trampers wanting a bivouac-ready bag for winter and shoulder-season use.