We have used the cheap stripy beach type with wooden poles successfully for several years without a problem. We have 2 which we may use to break wind or create a barrier depending on circumstances.
We have never found the poles leave big holes. The small holes that do remain very quickly disappear when I have used them on my lawn so I see no reason to believe a vacated pitch is any different.
Of course, windbreaks can also be very useful on hot days to catch the breeze...if there is any!
I once bought a very cheap windbreak off ebay. The material was a good strong tarp but the wooden poles were so thin they wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes. I replaced them with metal garden stakes from a garden centre, knocking them in with a lump hammer, and nothing shifted them. Like others have said though, when I changed my tent the colour didn't match so I stopped using it.
I now have a neutral/grey coloured one which should go with any coloured tent.
I made our windbreak out of snow-camo' netting and metal fencing spikes..(a couple of photos still in Gallery)....it only stands about 3' high but it's enough for a shelter for stoves and enough to provide some privacy, without shouting "Get Off My Land!"
Some friends have one of the sectional pole windbreaks(of the type discussed already)..and they seem to spend most of their time tending to and resetting all the bl**dy guy lines..?! .that is, when they're not tripping over 'em!
agree a windbreak should be used to break wind - no pun intended - use our beach style wooden pole to cook behind protected from wind but eat out in the open to be sociable. do use guys on it to make it more stable.
like the idea of two small ones to add flexiblity
still oh wants an Outwell to match the tent - arh!!
There's quite a large amount of information here to digest and I will have a good look at everyone's advice over the weekend.
I have only started camping a couple of years back, our first tent was destroyed on its first weekend due to a combo of high winds and not enough knowledge.
Thanks for all for spending the time to pass on your knowledge and helping with the learning curve
By the way I'am not looking for a wind break to be unsociable or mark my territory.... My four year old will keep any one at a safe distance.
Quote: Originally posted by murphybrown on 02/2/2014
I've got a Vango one, bought it to match the tent, without thinking too much about how it would perform or ease of use. Would i have another one, NO !! , most useless bit of kit i've ever bought, difficult to put up, and difficult to keep up. No matter how the guy ropes are positioned, the wind will always come from a different direction.
Too much hassle and they make a campsite look like a bad day at butline at best, and a gypsy encampment at worst. If you want privacy, don't go camping, if you want to stay out of the wind, don't go camping.
camping is about being in the outdoors and fresh air (wind) and being part of your surroundings, not barracading yourself in, in a "this is my patch, Get orf my land" type of way.
Rant over.
Sorry, but I like to camp and have my privacy. What's wrong with that? It's no one else's business if I want to just relax with my OH surely. I say hello, maybe a brief chat at the water/washing up/Loos or whatever and that's it for me thanks. My OH and I like to keep to ourselves really and are not huge mixers. We hardly see each other due to shift work as it is so we should be allowed to have some privacy on our own pitch. Camping isn't all about mixing with other people. Being outdoors together and totally unwinding, relaxing, the beautiful locations, reading, peace and quiet etc are why we go, not to mix with the whole campsite so if I want to sit behind a windbreak that's up to me although I rarely do the choice is mine surely.
I've just invested in a dozen of these babies.... at 3.5m x 2m high.....should be more than enough to go all the way around.... and the colour matches my tent!
Lol. Love it Mucker. Although I must say over our many years of camping there have been one or two occasions where these would have been very useful to barricade other families in. If you get my drift
Quote: Originally posted by murphybrown on 02/2/2014
I've got a Vango one, bought it to match the tent, without thinking too much about how it would perform or ease of use. Would i have another one, NO !! , most useless bit of kit i've ever bought, difficult to put up, and difficult to keep up. No matter how the guy ropes are positioned, the wind will always come from a different direction.
Too much hassle and they make a campsite look like a bad day at butline at best, and a gypsy encampment at worst. If you want privacy, don't go camping, if you want to stay out of the wind, don't go camping.
camping is about being in the outdoors and fresh air (wind) and being part of your surroundings, not barracading yourself in, in a "this is my patch, Get orf my land" type of way.
Rant over.
Sorry, but I like to camp and have my privacy. What's wrong with that? It's no one else's business if I want to just relax with my OH surely. I say hello, maybe a brief chat at the water/washing up/Loos or whatever and that's it for me thanks. My OH and I like to keep to ourselves really and are not huge mixers. We hardly see each other due to shift work as it is so we should be allowed to have some privacy on our own pitch. Camping isn't all about mixing with other people. Being outdoors together and totally unwinding, relaxing, the beautiful locations, reading, peace and quiet etc are why we go, not to mix with the whole campsite so if I want to sit behind a windbreak that's up to me although I rarely do the choice is mine surely.
I would say that privacy is on various levels for various people. To some a good morning while washing up is enough for them, for others it's about saying hi to everyone and anyone who looks in the direction.
What i would say to the people who have a barrackaded look about their tent and pitch is that, we all need help from time to time.
On a campsite that can mean help holding down a tent on a windy day to getting a push with the car, when it's stuck on a wet field. Help can be hard to come by when a person has spent the last week or so, barrackaded behind a windbreak, not wishing or willing to be part of the camping community.
As a case in point. I was camping in France a few years ago, during the usual "just arrived walk around tour of the site", i came across a fellow britisher setting up their caravan. I waved, morning, got a look the burned a hole through my skull and head back down. Come the end of our stay, i was on my way to the showers and came across said britisher with his caravan stuck at a difficult position and spinning wheels, No offer of help was given. I'm not vindictive, but it takes nothing to say hi to a fellow camper, even if it's just incase you may need their help.
I totally agree murphybrown, I would offer to help anyone. I would also like to say that there is a huge difference in liking a bit of prvacy and being terribly rude. I would never blank anyone who said hello. I just don't want too much familiarity.
Camping once in Dorset my OH and I were just sitting down to a glass of wine and some snacky bits, when the man from the caravan opposite (who we had been polite to...good morning etc) promptly sat down announcing 'Ah pringles...my favourite and helped himself' and stayed for ages. We were gobsmacked. I would never dream of doing such a thing.
I'm with you both (Murphybrown and Helen). Or more accurately, probably somewhere in between.
I'm quite happy to go all weekend virtually not speaking to anyone (often though, that's because there's nobody else actually there!!), but will always acknowledge and return the usual nods and "Good mornings", of course. But what I don't want to know, is how Ethel's bunions are playing her up, or how well little billy is doing at school! I don't want to know where you work, or even why! I would, however, be grateful if someone pointed out I had guyed my tent wrong, or picked up my be-felled windbreak, that collapsed whilst we were out for the day. I'd even be happy to help/advise if anyone requested it... or even if I just think they really ought to be requesting it!! In fact, I have done so, on a couple of occasions.
I too though, would almost certainly have walked on by, and not offered to help the ignoramus in France, and I too would have been gobsmacked at the Pringle prat (although in all probability, too two-faced to have said something.... until he'd gone!! )
There's been a few "Campers from hell" stories on here since I joined up, and in all honesty, each time we come home from yet another wonderful camp, I give thanks for not actually having come across any of them to date.(Touch wood... fingers crossed!!)
Possibly due to my extremely kind and wise looking face, probably even due to "the sort of sites" we go to... but almost certainly, it's down to luck, and I know that maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day soon, I will come face to face with those very same camping neighbours from hell... and I haven't a clue how I'll react!!
There was a brief discussion on them last year... nobody seemed to get too excited.
Did anyone go for one in the end? Any comments... good, bad, or ugly??
EDIT:
OOPS... No idea why the pic didn't reappear? Sorry!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Advice on which wind break to buy
I say hello, maybe a brief chat at the water/washing up/Loos or whatever and that's it for me thanks. My OH and I like to keep to ourselves really and are not huge mixers. We hardly see each other due to shift work as it is so we should be allowed to have some privacy on our own pitch. Camping isn't all about mixing with other people. Being outdoors together and totally unwinding, relaxing, the beautiful locations, reading, peace and quiet etc are why we go, not to mix with the whole campsite so if I want to sit behind a windbreak that's up to me although I rarely do the choice is mine surely.
I would never dream of doing such a thing. 
)
