They might not look important, but darts flights are one of the most important fixtures on a dart and they have a much bigger impact on your performance than you might realise. Without one, a dart cannot fly, and the shape, size, and construction of your flights will all have a different effect on the speed and trajectory of your throw.
With all this in mind, how can you possibly know where to start when researching the best flights for you? Right here of course! Join us as we explore everything you need to know about these important features with our beginner’s guide.
What are darts flights?
If you were to ask a non-player to describe a dart, the flight is probably the first thing that they would mention. After the sharp tip they are likely the most recognisable part of a dart, but they will look different for everyone as their appearance varies.
Whilst they come in different shapes and designs, thickness and materials, some things always stay the same, and that is that you can’t play darts without a flight! They attach to the shaft of a dart and stabilise the entire structure as it flies through the air towards the dartboard and sticks there. If you were to try throwing a dart without a flight in place it would simply fall to the ground, so a reliable set of dart flights should be the very first accessory that you buy when putting together your first set of darts.
What types are available?
The right flight for your darts will vary depending upon your throwing style, stance, and your own preferences. The slightest variations can make a big difference to how the dart travels through the air, so let’s take a look at the various dart flight types available before exploring how they impact your game:
Standard: The most commonly used type, and a great option for beginners, standard flights have a large surface area and travel slowly in the air to stabilise the dart.
Slim: These options are often the same length as a standard flight but have a slimmer body to move quickly through the air. A straight throw is needed to use these flights as they are easily affected by any change in conditions and must move hard and fast through the air to hit the board.
Kite: Just as slim flights have a slimmer body than a standard one, kite flights have a larger surface area that offers a stable flight – often at the expense of speed.
Pear: With a ‘pear shape’ (wide top and narrow bottom), pear flights have a quick, direct flight trajectory with less stability but much more speed per throw.
Vapor: Similar in shape to a kite flight, but with a smaller, streamlined shape, these flights offer extra lift, great flight stability and a lightning quick throw.
How do they impact my game?
As a general rule, the larger the surface area of a flight, the more stable your throw will be. However, this does potentially mean that you are sacrificing speed for the sake of stability, so if you throw soft and steady then a flight with a larger surface area is a good choice for you. Similarly, if your throws are often fast and straight, then your best bet is a smaller flight.
Aside from this, there are a range of other factors that can impact your performance, including:
- Experience: If you’re new to darts, standard darts flights are always the advisable option to begin with.
- Length: Just as larger flights increase drag and provide more lift, longer flights will also increase air resistance and cause a flight to arc more, whilst shorter flights are often faster.
- Micron: The term “micron” measures a dart flights’ durability and higher micron flights are stronger and last longer than lower micron flights. Standard flights are 100 micron, but regular players should opt for higher micron flights for improved stability.
How can I look after my new darts flights?
Once you’ve found the perfect set for you that suits your throwing technique, reflects your preferences as a player, and is easy to spot on the board, it’s important to keep them in good condition so they are always ready for a game.
This starts with storing them safely between matches. Most darts cases have enough space to store flights alongside the darts and stems, but there are also several makes available that have separate compartments for flights. These soft-feel, scratch-resistant options are the best choice when it comes to making sure the flights don’t get crushed, and the outside casing and elastic straps keep the accessories safe and stop them from moving around.
Flights also often fall off, but if this happens often enough then they can quickly become damaged from the impact of hitting the floor, so make sure you:
- Check the stem is not damaged or bent before throwing the dart.
- Check the flight is pushed down into the stem properly and is securely held in place.
- Use a shaft ring or flight protector to lock it into place and protect it whilst playing. While these protectors will eventually need to be replaced, they will prolong the life of your flights and mean you have to replace them less often.
UK delivery on darts flights
Want to get started with some standard flights or experiment with a few different types to find the ones that best suit your technique?
Double Top Darts has got you covered with a range of flights from leading brands, available in all the shapes, sizes, materials and lengths you need, so click here to explore their full range of dart flights.
