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 Topic: Windbreak, what do you have?
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03/6/2016 at 9:01pm
Location: Derby.
Outfit: T6 Hi-Top & Karsten
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"Knowing what we know now"... We'd only use one to protect a cooker from wind.
Prefer the guyed type, as you can get the top edge as taut as the bottom, so still, calm, and quiet! Do it right, and the guys are on the outside, so no intrusion on your space, and next to no trip hazards.
July 2012... our very first set up... Brand new tent with matching perimeter fencing... erm, I mean windbreak  ...
By our very next camp, in the September, we'd already decided to upgrade the tent, and also worked out that a tarp could shield our basic kitchen from both wind and rain, whilst keeping a clear view in front of our tent/sitting area...
My love of tarps grew, at the same rate as my hatred of windbreaks. It was June '13 before we needed to put it up again, due to being a little exposed to a full frontal breeze, and needing to keep the gas cooker alight...
Don't panic... you're not the only ones to think that looks gross! I can only apologise if that picture offends anybody! 
As soon as we got home, I was straight onto my PA to sort me out with something a little more suitable!
By the July (2013), we'd at least got a beige polycotton one. Not an exact match of course, as tent and windbreak were different brands, but even when all soaking wet, it was a vast improvement in both looks and quality...
Since then, we've used it once as protection for a family group sitting area in October '13...
Despite continuing with a tarp as an overhead kitchen shelter, we've not used a windbreak since. That's over 2.5 years of "all year round camping"!
Admittedly, we don't always have a cooker set up, and we've since changed tents again, and now have awnings for when we do, so I suspect we may never ("never say never"!) use one again.
As nice as our polycotton windbreak is, I'm happy to leave it abandoned in the car boot, "in case of emergencies only"!
Is it obvious I'm not a fan!
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2025: 12 nights and counting...
2024: 43 nights
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: 24 nights
2019: 50 nights
2018: 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
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05/6/2016 at 10:08pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: None Entered
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Outwell Windscreen Lux - not made anymore but a really great idea to have a curved design, wind just zooms around. Pig to put up though but always in our trailer just in case!
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2018 & so it begins.
April - please, just one weekend!
May - Who knows....
June - Tristram, Polzeath 10 nights
August - Dartmouth Regatta 4 nights
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06/6/2016 at 12:09am
Location: Middlesex
Outfit: Cabanon Tents
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Quote: Originally posted by Hairywol on 05/6/2016
I think there are two issues with windbreaks:
1 - Do you want them for shelter (breaking wind??), or for privacy?
2 - Hammer-in versions versus peg-out-with guys versions.
On the first issue, if it's for privacy I wouldn't bother. When you see pitches completely enclosed by windbreaks, it tells you enough about the campers to be grateful they've imprisoned themselves - so long as it's not with a ghetto-blaster. Keeping the breeze of you/your stove is fine.
On the second I'm for the hammer-in type: tents and awnings have plenty of guys to trip over without more on the windbreak. They also tend to be cheaper, but go for sturdy ones like Blue Diamond with stout poles.
Any camper with a tarp however is on the side of the angels as far as I'm concerned, I think they rock!
'When you see pitches completely enclosed by windbreaks. It tells you enough about the campers to be grateful they've imprisoned themselves'
I dont that's a very nice thing to say really. Some people enclose themselves behind windbreaks to avoid the sort of people you may be implying are behind the windbreaks. That's been my reason for putting them up anyway 😠
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06/6/2016 at 10:34am
Location: Middlesex
Outfit: Cabanon Tents
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That should say I don't think that's a very nice thing to say....too much wine. lol
Helen
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06/6/2016 at 11:36am
Location: Derby.
Outfit: T6 Hi-Top & Karsten
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Quote: Originally posted by Skiiddy on 05/6/2016
Outwell Windscreen Lux - not made anymore but a really great idea to have a curved design, wind just zooms around. Pig to put up though but always in our trailer just in case!
For those not aware, word on the street is that curved is best/strongest. Obviously Skiiddy has a purpose made curve on theirs, but even the bog standard ones should be set up to form a shallow C shape.
Double guy each of the end poles, then pull the intermediate poles outwards to form that C shape. All the intermediate guys then need to be on the outside of the curve, to pull that shape, but also to keep the inside of the curve guyline free.
My last photo above shows the theory, although not an ideal pic of it (Any guys in there are either attached to tent or tarp, not the actual windbreak!).
Also for those not aware... those seaside/beach type windbreaks are so bloody annoying in the slightest breeze, literally keeping me awake all night as they sound like a thousand crisp packets just feet from my very sleepy head!! Not helped by the knock in type poles (no guy lines) so the top of the windbreak material can never be taut, hence the permanent rustling!! (I use the term "material" loosely... or very loosely, in this case!)
In case you're wondering, no I didn't complain to the neighbours who owned it (and pitched it so close to my bedroom)... But I did take it down the next day, and advise my D-I-L never to use it again when camping next to us!!
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2025: 12 nights and counting...
2024: 43 nights
2023: 47 nights
2022: 40 nights
2021: 30 nights
2020: 24 nights
2019: 50 nights
2018: 30 nights
2017: 34 nights
2016: 32 nights
2015: 38 nights
2014: 34 nights
2013: 36 nights
From July 2012: 23 nights
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would love a lovely bright flowery one..but cant convince him we need one...yet..
) now I'm a 5 year plus complete Blue Diamond convert especially as you can replace the poles
