Windbreaks

What a windbreak is

A windbreak is a fabric screen held up on upright poles and pegged out in a line or round two or three sides of where you sit. It takes the edge off the wind on a beach or a campsite, gives some privacy and a strip of shade, and stops sand blowing across a picnic. It has no roof. For cover overhead as well, put it beside a sun shelter or under a tarp, so the screen takes the wind and the roof takes the sun or the rain.

Folding screens, viewing windows and other ways to block wind

• A folding windbreak with a viewing window in 65/35 polyester cotton with a waterproof and anti-UV coating. A clear TPU window lets you see out, and the panels zip together, so two or more can be joined into a bigger screen. It comes with ground pegs, wind ropes, support poles and storage pouches. See beach tents.
• A folding privacy screen, large and windproof, in black or khaki, that folds down for the car. See privacy tents.
• A tarp pitched as a windbreak: several tarps can be rigged low and side-on as a wind screen. See tarps and tarp shelters.
• A sun shelter with one closed side gives shade and a wind side in one. See sun shelters.

Where to put it, and how to keep it up

Work out where the wind is coming from before you unpack, then set the windbreak across it, a little upwind of where you will sit. On a beach the wind often comes off the sea, so the screen goes between you and the water. Push or knock each pole well into the ground, keeping the poles upright, and then run the guy ropes out on the side the wind comes from, so they hold the screen against it. Pull the fabric tight between the poles: a slack screen flaps, and a flapping screen works its poles loose.

In soft sand, push the poles deeper and add sand round the base. If the wind gets strong enough to bend the poles, take the screen down. Some campsites have rules about screens round a pitch, so check before you put one up there.

Size and fabric

The windbreak with a window comes in two sizes and in two modes: View mode, with the clear window, and Normal mode, which is solid.

Questions people ask about windbreaks

Will a windbreak work as a privacy screen?

Yes. Choose the solid Normal mode, or the privacy screen. For changing, a pop-up changing tent is better. See changing tents.

Can I use a barbecue behind a windbreak?

One maker describes its windbreak as suitable for barbecues. Keep the barbecue well clear of the fabric, and never take one into a tent.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Sun shelters
• Tarps and tarp shelters
• Beach tents
• Privacy tents
• Tent pegs
• Guy lines
• Guide: Beach tents and sun shelters
• Guide: Fishing and ice-fishing tents