Why wind is such a problem for mics
Microphones are sensitive to rapid air movement across the capsule, which registers as a low rumbling sound that can overwhelm speech entirely — even a light breeze causes this indoors near a fan or outdoors.
Foam windscreens: the everyday option
A foam cover handles light-to-moderate wind and clips or slides directly onto most clip-on and handheld mics — the simplest, cheapest fix for casual outdoor filming.
Fur covers (\”dead cats\”): for stronger wind
The fuzzy fur-style covers handle noticeably stronger wind than foam alone, which is why they\’re standard on professional outdoor shoots and news gathering equipment.
Matching the windscreen to your mic type
Lavalier mics need a small foam bud sized to fit; larger shotgun or handheld mics need a properly sized cover — an ill-fitting windscreen won\’t seal properly and loses most of its effectiveness.