Nordisk Lofoten 1 ULW vs Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
Two shelters, measured against each other on the figures that decide whether they work on a bike.
The short answer
The Lofoten 1 ULW takes pole length, floor space and vestibule space; the Helium Bivy takes price. On a bike the pole set usually decides it before the rest do.
Assembled from the differences below rather than written over them. Every figure is a published measurement or computed from one — nobody here has used either one.
Where they differ
5 of the 7 things we can measure come out differently.
Folded pole length
91mm shorter on the Lofoten 1 ULWThe length of the pole set broken down, which is what decides whether it goes across your bars. Almost no maker publishes it, which is why this comparison is hard to find anywhere else. The verdict beside each is for drop bars.
Construction
Lofoten 1 ULW is double wall, Helium Bivy is singleA double wall puts a gap between you and the condensation; a single wall saves the weight of the second layer and puts the condensation on the inside of your shelter. Which is right depends on where you sleep, not on which is better.
Floor area
0.39m² more floor in the Lofoten 1 ULWInner length by inner width as published. On a bike trip the floor also has to take whatever you brought inside off the bike, so a few centimetres is not nothing.
Vestibules
1 more on the Lofoten 1 ULWWhere wet kit and panniers go. On a bike trip it is also where the bags off your bike spend the night, which is more volume than a hiker brings.
Price
$370 between themAs we hold it. Shelter prices move more than most gear, so check before you commit.
Side by side
Including the rows where they are level.
| Nordisk Lofoten 1 ULW | Outdoor Research Helium Bivy | |
|---|---|---|
| Folded pole length | 220mm — fits drop bars | 311mm — fits drop bars |
| Pole figure source | Packed bag length, used as a proxy | Packed bag length, used as a proxy |
| Minimum weight | 490g | 511g |
| Construction | double wall | single wall |
| Floor area | 220 × 85cm — 1.87m² | 208 × 71cm — 1.48m² |
| Vestibules | 1 | 0 |
| Price | $620 | $250 |