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The Best Dart Flights
They come in many different shapes, sizes and materials and play an important role in a game of darts. We are of course talking about flights: the part of the dart that sits at the opposite end to the point and impacts how your dart travels through the air.
Whether you’re a beginner who wants to take your game more seriously or a more seasoned player looking to learn more or experiment with their setup, this guide will help you find out everything you need to know about dart flights.
Why Are Dart Flights Important?
To put it simply, without a flight you can’t play darts! They play a crucial role as they stabilise the dart during its trajectory from leaving your hand to entering the dartboard. A flight will help ensure your dart enters the board correctly and sticks in properly too.
In this blog, we will guide you through the different types of dart flights, including the various shapes, weights and textures, and how they can all have an impact on how you play.
A dart flight can also be the perfect way of customising your favourite set of arrows and making them your own, with personalised dart flights a popular choice for players across all levels. You can make your darts truly unique by choosing flights in your preferred colour and adding custom text such as your name or darts nickname.
Symmetry and Shape of Dart Flights
The constant evolution in darts and technology means that there are now a huge range of flights on the market, with plenty of different shapes to choose from. The shape of the flights a player chooses can make a big difference on how their darts travel through the air. Here’s a look in more detail at the various dart flight shapes available:-
Standard (or No. 2) / Shape (or No. 6)
The Standard flight (also known as a No. 2) is by far the most commonly used flight shape. This type of flight is ideal for any player who either has standard darts (around 23g and above) or has a weak/lobbed throw. A standard flight will stabilise the dart in the air more than a slimmer version, such as a pear or slim shaped flight.
The Shape flight (also known as a No. 6) is very similar to the Standard flight but has slightly slanted sides. This slight change makes the dart travel through the air faster, but can reduce stability, and as a result consistency. If you want to adjust the angle your darts stand in the board, then this type of flight could be for you.
Pear, Kite and Fantail Flights
There are several smaller flight options available to players, with the most popular ones being Pear, Kite and Fantail.
Several professional players, past and present, have opted for a pear or kite shaped flight, including Jonny Clayton, Danny Noppert and Ryan Joyce, with many others also preferring to use a slimmer flight.
Generally speaking, the smaller the flight the faster the dart will travel through the air. However, this makes them less forgiving if you throw a bad dart as you will have less control on how they fly. If you tend to throw the dart a bit harder or have lightweight darts (22g and under), then one of these smaller flights may be suitable for your style.
The bonus of using a pear or kite flight is that their smaller size covers less of the dartboard, allowing you to see more of the target you’re aiming for if you’re trying to group three darts into one particular segment.
Slim, DXM and Sigma flights
The Slim, DXM and Sigma flight options are mostly reserved for players who like to ‘stack’ their darts on top of each other. This is a method made famous by the 16-time world champion Phil Taylor, who would throw one dart on to the bottom wire of the treble 20 bed and then try and place his other two darts on top of the first one in a ‘stacking’ motion.
These styles of flights are what helped ‘The Power’ master this skill and 95% of players would not be able to successfully incorporate a slim or sigma flight into their own set of darts. To follow in Phil Taylor’s footsteps and conquer the ‘stacking’ technique, you’ll need to throw straight and get your darts to consistently land ‘flat’ in the board each time. If you are able to do this, then one of these flights would work well with your game.
Arrowhead, V-Wing, Vortex, Mini and Shield flights
There are several other flight options on the market which are less common and come in weird and wonderful shapes. A lot of these flight shapes will offer similar results to other more popular versions, so choosing one of these types would be for purely aesthetic reasons.
Arrowhead and V-Wing flights both have similar properties to the slim and sigma style of flights, whilst the Vortex flight will behave in the air like a flight somewhere between a pear and standard shape flight. A Vortex flight will provide your darts with a lot of stability, but they are also very narrow, which opens up more room on the board’s surface to group your darts together.
Mini flights are a smaller version of a standard flight, but because of their size will act like a slim flight, whilst a Shield flight is similar to a slim flight and will behave in an almost identical way when thrown.
Check out our alternative dart flights collection featuring Sigma and Vortex shaped flights!
Condor flights
Darts manufacturers have created some new innovations to update the traditional flight and stem combination. Condor flights feature an all-in-one unibody flight system with the flight and stem already connected.
This option is lighter in weight than a normal flight and stem, so can influence how the dart behaves. As the Condor flight is extremely flexible, they tend to be more effective with heavier darts, but can be used with any weight.
A Condor flight is also very hardwearing and will last a lot longer than a normal style of flight.
Cosmo and Clic flights
The Cosmo flight system is made up of two parts like the traditional flight and stem setup, but uses a ‘push-in’ system. Instead of putting the flight inside the stem, you put the stem inside the flights and lock it in.
With a traditional flight and stem it can be frustrating if they come apart during play. There is nothing worse than having to break concentration during a game to fiddle about putting a flight back in a stem. This is less likely to happen with Cosmo flights.
It is worth noting that Cosmo flights will only work with Cosmo stems, so if you opt for this option then you will also have to commit to the whole Cosmo flight and stem system!
The Harrows Clic flight is similar to the Cosmo flight system, as the flight ‘pushes’ onto the stem and locks in place. The main difference between the two is that the Harrows Clic version is a little heavier, so if you like a bit of extra weight towards the rear of the dart these are ideal.
Robson flights
The Robson flight is one of our most innovative flights on sale. This system is ingenious. Unlike the other solid dart flights, such as Condor and Cosmo, there is no stem involved, it’s just a flight!
These flights have been made to fit on any four-pronged dart shaft, including nylon and alloy stems. The Robson flight itself weighs a bit more than the average dart flight, so that needs to be taken into consideration as you’ll have extra weight at the rear of the dart.
The edges on Robson flights are reinforced for extra durability, and because they slot over the stem they also protect them and increase their longevity too!
Dart Flight Thickness
The thickness of a flight is surprisingly important to your darts setup. Flights are measured in ‘microns’, with the thinnest being 75 microns and the most commonly available thickest option being 150 microns. There are some flights that go as high as 300 microns, but these are rare and are not used very often by players.
A 75 micron flight (also known as a poly flight) is usually cheap and very lightweight. Players tend to choose these flights because they are typically more flexible and are also very inexpensive, meaning you can replace them at a small cost.
A 100 micron flight is the preferred choice for the more serious darts player. These flights tend to cost a little more than a 75 micron flight, but are much more durable and higher quality. The difference in weight and feel between the 75 and 100 micron flights is surprising. The weight and thickness of a 100 micron flight can make a dart travel flatter in the air, due to there being more air resistance than with a 75 micron flight.
150 micron flights are extremely tough and will withstand a lot of wear and tear. A drawback to these flights is that because they are so hardwearing it can cause subsequent darts to deflect off them, rather than entering the board.
How Much Should Dart Flights Weigh?
The materials used for your dart flights will be a factor in how much they weigh. The most popular materials used to create flights include plastic polymers, nylon and hard foil. Each will have an impact on how your darts travel through the air. The weight and thickness of the flights you choose will affect the trajectory of your dart, so it is important to consider the different material options when making a decision.
A flight made of Hard Plastic Polymersbenefits from being durable and allows darts to slide past each other smoothly, helping you to group your darts together closely. Hard plastic polymers cannot be repaired easily, so once they rip or are damaged you will need to replace them.
A Soft Plastic Polymersflight is similar to one made of hard plastic polymers but is significantly less brittle. This type of flight will tear or bend a lot more easily, but the softer plastic means you can heal any small dents or imperfections that may occur during play.
Flights made of Nylonare a popular choice for players as they are amongst the most durable flights on the market. The interwoven reinforcement fibres that are added to the fabric makes a nylon flight very strong and durable.
A Feather flight is a real nod back to the old days and will add a touch of nostalgia and old-world charm to your darts. Feather flights for darts are rarely seen nowadays but are still a worthwhile option as they offer stability in the air and are made from the finest feathers, giving you a truly authentic darting experience!
Texture: Dimples or No Dimples?
A dart flight with dimples can also affect how a dart behaves. These are flights that have been embossed with a pattern of small dimples across the entire surface. A dimpled flight will provide additional drag to your darts and they tend to be a little sturdier than a flight with no dimples.
Players who use heavier darts are most likely to benefit from using flights with dimples, as the flights will help to reduce any wobbles during its trajectory to the board. Using dimpled flights with a lighter dart will most likely lead to you throwing your darts harder. This is because the dimpling effect on the flights makes the dart drop earlier than usual whilst in the air.
Harrows Silika Flights are an example of a flight with a dimple texture. Similar to sandpaper, the surface of the flight is coarse which helps to increase its surface area. As a result, these flights will reduce the speed of the dart during flight and stabilise its path during flight.
How Your Flight Impacts Your Throw
The flights you choose will have an impact on how your dart is thrown. For example, if James Wade and Adrian Lewis were using the same dart, they would want it to act in different ways. Wade tends to get his darts ‘flat’ in the board whilst Lewis has his darts ‘sticking up’.
So if Wade had a 150 micron flight it would not overly affect the way his darts fly and land in the board. However, if Lewis used the same 150 micron flight his darts would start flying differently and land flatter in the board.
The Best Value Dart Flights For Beginners
A beginner should be looking for a flight that offers the best value. Darts Corner stocks thousands of different flights at various price points, including a huge variety of affordable options.
Designa Poly Plain Original Flights are a popular choice for newcomers to darts. These flights are available at a low price and in a range of different colours, so you can choose the colour that suits you the best. At 75 microns, the Designa Original Flights are on the lighter side of the scale, so will tend not to last as long as thicker flights, but you can buy spare sets at a very low price so you’ll never be out of replacement flights for your darts!
Amazon Standard Shape Plain Flights are amongst the best dart flights for beginners and also more experienced players too. Amazon flights are made of 100 microns and offer the perfect combination of quality, affordability and style. Available in a range of colours, including black, white, red and blue, an Amazon flight will keep your darts kit simple and stylish!
Which Darts Flights Are Best For Intermediate Players?
Flights come in many different shapes and sizes, and players at all levels should take some time to consider all the options available. Experienced players looking to experiment with their throwing style might want to try out one of our flight research packs, so you can test out lots of different flights to find out what works best for you.
The Unicorn Dart Flights range is one of our best-selling collections at Darts Corner, with a wealth of options available in terms of shapes and sizes, from standard and big wing to pear and kite. This selection gives players the opportunity to try something different from their usual setup. Unicorn Ultrafly Big Wing Origins Flights allow you to test out a bigger shaped flight and pay homage to the Unicorn brand, with 1937 – the year Unicorn was founded – printed in large silver text on the flights.
What Dart Flights Do Pros Use?
The dart flights the professionals use will vary from player to player depending on their own preferences and playing styles. Most of the top players use a traditional standard (no. 2) or shape (no. 6) flight, but there is a growing trend of players trying out different shape flights to find an extra per cent in their game. There are several examples of high-profile players experimenting with their flights and the changes having a positive impact on their game.
The 2020 Grand Slam of Darts champion Jose De Sousa uses his Condor signature flights which have been designed to improve the accuracy and stability of the dart in-flight. The Condor flight and stem all-in-one system is made from a durable polymer and helped De Sousa throw an incredible 81 180s during the 2021 Premier League Darts season.
Former Players Championship winner Ryan Joyce opts for his signature Mission pear flights which perfectly suit his own 21g Mission darts. A pear shaped flight tends to work better with a lighter dart (22g or below) and Joyce has found that his darts now travel faster through the air and the smaller shaped flights cover less of the target.
Watch the video below for some tips from PDC professional player Alan Soutar on choosing a dart flight.
Increasing Dart Flight Longevity
There are several accessories you can add to your darts to help care for your flights and increase their longevity. Darts Corner carries a top-quality range of flight protectors that will help keep your flights in their best shape for longer. A flight protector fits on to the end of your flight to protect them from any damage from other darts. Mission F-Protect Flight Protectors are a leading choice in our collection and also come in an assortment of different colours to match the colour of your flights.
Our darts springs and rings collection offer a wise investment to care for your dart flights. The Designa Springs are a popular example of a dart spring which slots on to your stem and then helps keep your flight nice and secure, significantly reducing the chances of the flight falling out during play and being damaged.
You’re On Your Way To Finding The Perfect Dart Flight For You
There is plenty to think about when it comes to choosing the perfect dart flights. A dart flight, whilst small in stature, plays a crucial role in how a dart travels in the air and where it will eventually land in the dartboard.
When it comes to picking your flights, remember that there is no such thing as the best darts flight. It is all about personal preference and what will suit your own throwing style. The professionals use a mixed range of flight variations, which illustrates that not one flight suits everyone. The flight you use will depend on your individual style and preferences.