Windsocks can be inflated or non-inflatable depending on your needs, with inflatable ones being more popular because they are easier to transport and store than other types. They are used to give wind direction and to give wind speed. Windsocks are so named because they’re meant to show the direction of wind, as well as its speed.

In line with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) specifications, windsocks may be orange, yellow, or white and may not have any logos or lettering. The most useful windsocks for determining wind speed are those with stripes of alternating colors, such as orange and white, or lines at set intervals.

Nylon windsocks are the most common, so are knitted polyester, vinyl, and canvas. There are also lots of companies that use a mix of synthetic and natural fabrics to create windsocks as well.