Pepper Spray: Is Wind Blowback a Major Concern?

Pepper Spray Pattern: Stream vs. Cone

Most pepper spray used for personal protection is dispensed in one of two patterns, either a stream or a cone.

A stream pattern is a concentrated stream that has a farther reach than a cone pattern. The disadvantage is that pepper spray only covers a small area of the target. A stream pattern is less susceptible to wind blowback as opposed to a cone pattern.

A cone pattern will project pepper spray to a wider area of the target. The disadvantage is that the pepper spray will travel a shorter distance and be more susceptible to blowback, when compared to a stream pattern.

The good news is that most manufacturers pattern their sprays in a hybrid between the stream and cone. The result is a small cone that has decent range, adequate  coverage of the target area and reduced risk of wind blowback.