Dart Flights - Everything You Need To Know
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One of the most important parts of any darts setup is dart flights. Believe it or not, the type of dart flight you choose for your setup can help make a difference in how you perform. They're also a great way to show off your own individuality as a player with all the different designs available.
Take a deep dive into everything you need to know about dart flights in this blog, including flight types (traditional paper, molded, one piece systems, and two piece systems), brands, shapes and commonly asked questions.
There are only a few things to consider when looking at the difference between dart flights – the formation, brand (specialty systems) and shapes. To get a better understanding of which dart flights work best with what dart shafts, we encourage you to read up on our in-depth blog detailing everything you need to know about dart shafts.
Let’s start with the formation of dart flights and cover the two main distinctions between how a flight is made, which are Foldable and Molded flights.
The main point of note about foldable dart flights is that well… you must fold them open.
Jokes aside, foldable dart flights are characterized by having 4 sheets glued together in such a way that it forms the shape of a flight we all know. Because the flight is comprised of 4 separate sheets, it makes it susceptible to nicking with some force.
One key benefit to these dart flights is their ability to lay flat. This allows you to carry them in smaller cases or even in your pocket, a feat that might be uncomfortable with a molded flight.
They are also quite simple to manufacture, allowing for a much larger range of designs and shapes. Additionally, foldable dart flights have been on the market much longer than molded dart flights and do not require any “special” or proprietary accessories.
Foldable dart flights work with any shaft that has the standard 4 prong holder. For additional structure and durability, you could also consider using a flight protector. This is a small cap, typically made from nylon or aluminum, that goes on the back (or top) of the flight. It helps to eliminate robin hooding of your flights by deflecting incoming darts while also keeping them square.
Foldable dart flights are offered in a wide variety of thicknesses measured in microns (µm), starting at 75µm and topping off at 180µm. You can find dart flights that are glitter, metallic, dimpled, ridged with a V pattern and just plain – plus any others that we haven't mentioned here.
The point is – there is a large variety for players to play with and find what works best for them.
Dimplex dart flights have small dimples in them to help increase drag and wind resistance. This affects the flight of the dart in the same manner as increasing the size (surface area) of the flight as it helps the flight slow the dart in the air, providing greater lift and reducing side to side instability. Dimplex flights are not recommended for players with a fast, straight throw as they will gain lift and not have a chance to exit the arch of flight before contacting the board.
Some dart flights are available extra thick. The thickness does not affect your throw as much as offering an increased durability (and extended lift) of the flights. Most foldable dart flights are 100 microns in thickness – anything over 120 microns could be considered extra thick.
Although they're easy and simple to use, foldable flights aren't made to be 100% perfect. Here are a few pros and cons of using foldable dart flights:
Note: When you insert a set of dart flights onto your shaft for the first time, reverse fold them open to “square” them off.
It’s a little tricky to describe molded dart flights without getting into the manufacturing process of each different band.
To put it simply, molded dart flights come in their final shape and prefer to stay in that shape. This rigidity helps to ensure that your dart flights remain in constant shape. You may find they are easier to assemble onto a shaft with a cone or socket type opening design, or you can completely forego the need for a shaft with a one-piece system.
Molded dart flights are also designed to reduce or negate the chances of dart deflections and “robin hooding” your shaft.
Currently, there are two types of molded dart flights: two-piece molded flight systems and one-piece molded flight systems. Both achieve a similar effect in reducing bounce outs and robin hoods but vary vastly in their assembly process and parts needed.
The newest innovation in the dart flights market is the introduction of the one-piece molded flight and shaft system. These dart flights completely eliminate the need to buy separate parts for your darts as the flight and shaft are molded into one cohesive piece. Brands like Condor, Target and Shot have all released their own versions of the one-piece molded flight system.
Like traditional foldable dart flights, two-piece molded flight systems require you to assemble both the flight and shaft to your dart, combining the novelty of traditional flights and shafts with the durability of molded flights. Some two-piece molded dart flights do not require you to use a specific type of shaft while some do – it all depends on which brand you're looking at.
Although molded dart flights seem like a genius solution to traditional dart flights and shafts, they are not without their flaws as well. Here are a few pros and cons to molded dart flights:
Note: Most molded flight and shaft systems, including one-piece systems, come with standard 2ba threading so you can use the dart flights with any 2ba threaded dart barrels – which is almost every barrel available on the market.
To get into the other aspects of molded dart flights, we need to look at different brand versions. It’s important to have a general understand of the different dart flights manufacturers in our industry. Some brands require that you purchase both their dart flights and shafts as you’ll find some "specialty systems" that are proprietary. This simplifies the buying process, but can limit variety of choices like design/color, shapes, textures, etc.
Here is a quick summary of some flight brands that we carry:
Condor dart flights are a flight and a shaft combo all in one. Like other one-piece molded flight and shaft systems, this reduces the number of parts a player needs. The key selling points of Condor are your flights will never pop off and increased durability, zero robin-hooding.
The Condor Zero Stress flights feature a softer material with increased flexibility in the shaft and flight fins, allowing for tighter grouping and reduced deflections.
The Condor AXE flights are engineered from a more rigid and elastic material, therefore letting the dart flights better retain their shape and provide more flex.
One-piece molded flight and shaft system
Zero Stress Flight System, Axe Flight System
Each system offers a few shapes, colors and design options
While Target also carries traditional dart flights, they've released their own take on the one-piece molded flight and shaft system – the Target K Flex. These molded dart flights include a patented flex system within the shaft that allows the shaft to twist if hit by another incoming dart a feature that is entirely unique to the K Flex.
Originally offered in Shape No.6 in black, white, and clear, the K Flex is expanding its product line with new shapes and colors — most recently the No.2 and blue, green, and red. Target continues to perfect these dart flights with every expansion so everyone can find a K Flex flight for their setup they love.
For a more in-depth look into the Target K Flex flight and shaft system, check out our in-depth product review that details everything you need to know about the K Flex.
We go over all of the features, price, durability, and multiple test shots so you can determine if the K Flex is best suited for you. Just click the button below to watch the review on our Youtube channel!
One-piece molded flight and shaft system
Offered in 9 colors: blue, green, red, black, white, clear, orange, yellow, and pink
Comes in Shape No.6 and Standard No.2
Winmau also debuted their own one-piece molded flight and shaft system – the Winmau Fusion Flight – during their 2024 Product Launch. Like other molded flight systems, the Fusions were made to reduce bounce outs and robin hooding with an advanced polycarbonate material that's more durable than traditional dart flights.
The Winmau Fusions have a slimmer stem and carved out grooves that provide additional flexibility in the shaft portion. This bending allows for the Fusions to move out of the way of incoming darts.
To safely store the Fusion flights, Winmau has also developed a specialty case that can hold one set (three flights) of any molded dart flights including the Fusions. Every case comes with a keychain latch so you can bring your dart flights with you on the go!
One-piece molded flight and shaft system
Offered in 6 colors: black, white, dark grey (smoke), yellow, orange and blue
Only comes in Standard shape
Most recently, Shot has joined the game of one-piece molded flight and shaft systems with their very own Flight Deck system.
The Flight Deck contains an internal carbon rod running through the shaft for added structure and support. In the clear color version, you can clearly see the black rod through the flight material. At the base of the shaft where it screws into the barrel, the entire Flight Deck system can rotate 360 degrees around the carbon rod which helps prevent deflections and bounce outs from incoming darts.
Like other molded dart flight and shaft systems, the edges of the Flight Deck are reinforced with thicker, filleted edges to prevent wear and tear along the wings of the flight.
One-piece molded flight and shaft system
Offered in black, white, clear, red, blue, set of 3 (red, white, blue), orange, pink, green, yellow and purple
Only comes in Standard shape
Released in late 2023, the Cuesoul Rost T19 flights prioritized variety upon their debut to give everyone their ideal one piece flight.
The Rost T19 comes in all colors of the rainbow plus one pro player design, along with three iconic flight shapes. Unlike other one piece flight systems, Cuesoul also offers 6 different stem length options ranging from 24mm all the way to 37mm!
In terms of the construction, Cuesoul ensured that these flights would last through anything. A carbon rod is inserted into the shaft and thread to improve its strength, while the flight fins are reinforced with ribs and extra thick material to avoid the wings getting torn.
One piece molded flight and shaft system
Offered in 8 colors: black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink
Offered in Standard, Shape and Kite with 6 stem length options
The L Style system does not require you to use their proprietary shafts with their dart flights, but it is recommended. You must certainly only use nylon or plastic shafts with these flights as they are too thick to use with aluminum shafts. L Style offers a few different types of molded dart flights.
L Style's Pro Dart Flights series has a hole pre-punched for use with a cap. The cap locks into the flight while compressing the shaft for a tighter fit and prevent robin-hooding. The EZ Dart Flights do not require a cap as they are pre-molded into the flight. They slide over a traditional 4-prong nylon or plastic shaft. This flight also provides for a bit less rigidity and thereby potentially less flight deflection.
The Soft Dart Flights also require a cap to lock onto the shafts and provide for a lot of flex. They are almost as flexible as foldable dart flights. You can find within the L Style line different shapes as well as different microns and ridged dart flights. Depending on the shaft you use, you would be able to make these dart flights spinning or locked flights.
Most L Style dart flights require a cap to lock the flight onto the shaft — the L Style Pro Rings for molded flights. There are also Shell Lock Rings to secure foldable flights onto your dart shaft, functioning similarly to regular metal dart rings.
To learn more about these L Style dart shaft accessories, check out our Dart Shafts blog where we go in-depth on everything you need to know about dart shafts, including accessories.
Two-piece molded flight and shaft system
Does not require proprietary shafts (but is recommended)
Pro Dart Flights Series, EZ Dart Flights Series, Soft Dart Flights Series
Fit Flight offers three different type of dart flights: original, Air and Pro. The original material is a stiffer, more durable blend of plastic that may cause dart deflections. The Air material is a softer blend of plastic that helps prevent dart deflections, but can be damaged easier than the original. The Pro flight is a thinner flight designed for flexibility, but has a reinforced grid texture to provide for durability and strength.
The Fit Flight system uses a proprietary snap on locking system to assemble the flight to the shaft, currently offered in 11 different shapes in both Air and original material with a wide range of colors. The unique Pro system offers players the chance to dial in their throw with three different basic shapes of dart flights and six different sizes within each shape range.
The Fit Flight system offers eight different lengths for proprietary shafts in plastic, aluminum, carbon and titanium. You can make your flight either spinning or locked depending on the shaft you purchase.
Two-piece molded flight and shaft system
Requires proprietary shafts
Original Dart Flights Series, Air Dart Flights Series, Pro Dart Flights Series
8 Flight systems have a unique design intended to eliminate the irritating problem with some molded dart flights – the dreadful flight “pop off”. Once the dart flights are screwed onto these shafts, it is very difficult to pull them off.
The dart flights are made of a medium-soft plastic which provides flex while generally preventing ripping and nicking from incoming darts.
Currently, the 8 Flight system offers four shapes and basic colors with a few prints, although we know there is more to come for this line. The proprietary threaded shaft is offered in five different lengths while the colors are limited, but again, more to come.
Although this system doesn’t look like it could spin, it does. The shaft you purchase will determine if your flight will spin or stay locked.
Two-piece molded flight and shaft system
Requires proprietary shafts
Offers four flight shapes and basic colors
The Harrows Clic dart system offers a molded flight made from a uniquely soft material with a lot of flex. Clic offers a reinforced edge around the flight to help maintain shape and prevent ripping, similar to other molded dart flights. The base of the flight stretches over the shaft and snaps into a groove, thus locking the flight in place.
While Clic dart flights are offered in a variety of colors, it is only offered in one shape – Standard. The shafts come in 2 shapes: Slim, a thin tapered shaft with high flexibility, and Normal, a thicker more rigid shaft. Both are available in 3 lengths and a variety of colors to match the dart flights.
If you want to prevent the Clic system from spinning the flight, you can add an o ring at the top near the flight.
Two-piece molded flight and shaft system
Requires proprietary shafts
Offers only one shape (Standard) and a variety of colors
Robson Plus Flight is a very user-friendly flight. The opening for the shaft has a cross which cinches down into the shaft and pushes the shaft prongs open. The tapered cone design of the opening compresses the shafts which eliminates robin-hooding, tightens the flight onto the shaft and prevents flight “pop offs”.
This thin molded flight material, designed for aerodynamics, is also rigid with an elastic flex. These dart flights do not require special shafts; however, we recommend only using 4 prong non-metal shafts. Plus Flight offers five shapes in a variety of colors and prints.
The dart flights will spin or lock depending on the plastic or nylon shaft you provide.
Two-piece molded flight and shaft system
Does not require proprietary shafts
Offers simple shapes and colors
Dynastar is the original – the granddaddy – of the molded dart flights market. These dart flights lock onto their proprietary shafts using a “locking ring” inside the flight that snaps onto a grooved thin pin on the shaft. The original idea behind the Dynastar system was to offer a longer lasting flight material and a zero-robin hooding shaft and flight system. These flights spin on the shaft (unless you pinch them at the locking ring).
The medium-soft material is designed to allow less dart deflection off the flight; however, depending on your groupings, you can still rip or nick these dart flights. The proprietary shafts are available with an aluminum or nylon base. Dynastar is the only manufacturer that has produced a shaft to work with Bottelsen’s GT darts (specialty threading).
Footnote: Our founder, John Baxter, was one of the first players sponsored by Dynastar when he threw professionally.
Dart flights are offered in a wide array of shapes with different shapes coming and going by various manufactures. While we have tried to list all the shapes below, there is bound to be one or two mini dart flights or a discontinued flight that didn’t make our list.
The key difference between all of these sizes is the surface area. As a rule of thumb, the softer you throw (if you lob), then you want a flight with the most surface area. The same can be said with the opposite in that if your throws are fast and straight then you should consider using dart flights with less surface area. Phil Taylor is a perfect example of a fast throw, small flight.
STANDARDThe largest flight giving the most lift and is the most stable in flight, but tends to be slower. |
SHAPESlightly smaller than Standard thus being a little faster with a little less lift, while being just as stable. |
PEARFaster than kite, but less stable, it provides greater lift than say a slim or fantail and is more stable than those as well. |
SLIMOne of the smallest sized dart flights, offering a lot of speed with little lift. |
SUPER SHAPESmaller than a shape, but not as small as a slim, this flight offers speed and about as much lift as a kite, while being very stable more like standard. |
ROCKETA shape sized flight with a tapered end that lets it come off the hand faster and smoother than a traditional shape, but does become a little less stable as a result. |
KITEMeant for a smooth medium speed thrower, this flight offers great lift and stability with less resistance than a shape sized flight, so it is faster than the shape. |
ASTRAFaster than a f-shape or fantail, but less stable as well. It offers more stability than a slim while giving the speed near a slim size. Great for a faster thrower, who doesn’t have nearly any arch to their throw. |
FANTAILFaster and less stable than a kite, but gives quite a bit more lift than a slim or astra, the fantail is similar to a pear, but a smidge faster. |
W SHAPESomewhere between a fantail and a pear in shape it offers greater lift than an astra, but is nearly as fast. |
SUPER KITEExtremely fast, little to no stability, but has greater lift than a slim with the speed of a slim. |
BULLETMore lift and stability than a super kite. The bullet has great speed with decent stability. It also offers more lift for a smooth throw at fast speeds. Works well with heavier darts than a smaller flight would with a same weight dart due to the increase in lift and stability. |
SKULLNot common in play, but looks cool, right? The skull offers lift similar to a shape, but is faster like a pear. |
VORTEXSlimmer than a kite, and the cut out in the tail end of the flight, offers less lift than a kite, and more speed. Good for faster throwers. |
HEARTLooks cool, but is not common in play. A bit more lift than a kite while offering better looks than the traditional kite. |
V-WINGThe V-Wing (also known as bee) flight is a very fast, but stable flight normal paired with a micro shaft of extra short, on small barrels, which don’t weigh much. Not a lot of stability, but good speed, and more lift than a pear, probably similar in lift to a fantail. |
BUTTERFLYLooks pretty, and gives a good amount of lift, similar to a shape, but a bit faster off the hand. |
ARROWHEADVery similar to a V-Wing, but is a more stable due to the increased surface area. Between a super kite and a traditional kite in size, and feel. |
VAPOR SThe signature flight of Phil “The Power” Taylor. These dart flights demand good follow through for success, but are incredibly accurate if you can control them. More lift than previously small sizes, the Vapor S gives you tight grouping from your best forms and a mess when you lose focus. |
VAPORA similar design to Edge flight, but with a more consistent pattern of throws due the consistency of the shape. It will require great follow through to be used correctly. |
EDGEDesigned by Phil Taylor after he watched a documentary about submarines, the design is for smooth flight in the air, with little blocking your next dart from hitting the much needed third triple! |
There are plenty of dart flight accessories to choose from when caring for your dart flights, from cases to attachments that prevent wear and tear. Try out these neat accessories for an upgraded experience:
Dart flight cases serve to protect your dart flights. Just like regular dart cases that can hold an entire set of your darts for safekeeping, dart flight cases can hold up to three or more flights depending on which type of flight you have.
Cases for molded dart flights usually only hold up to three, or a full set, of dart flights. Only a few brands sell dart flight cases for molded dart flights; specifically, the brands that also carry their own line of specialty one-piece or two-piece systems.
Meanwhile, traditional paper flights can be stored in bulk. There aren't many options on the market for traditional dart flight cases, but the ones available make it much more convenient to keep your paper flights all in one place.
One foolproof way of keeping your traditional dart flights secured on your dart shafts is by punching a hole into the flight with a dart flight punch. You would then insert a dart ring into the punched hole and slide the ring and the flight onto your dart shaft. This method ensures that the flight is snug onto the shaft with the ring gripping tightly onto the fins of the flight and the prongs of the shaft.
Not all dart shafts can be fitted with punched flights, like shafts with metal flight holders and molded dart flights, so make sure your favorite shafts can support punched flights before trying this out.
Dart flight protectors are another dart flight accessory meant to prevent your traditional flights from being damaged. These metal accessories attach to the rear or top of the dart flight (the side that is not in the shaft) and act as a barrier to protect from robin hoods and incoming dart points.
Another benefit of dart flight protectors is that it helps keep your dart flights spread, maintaining that perfect 90-degree angle between each fin of your flight. This provides a smoother flight trajectory for your dart.
The best size is the size that works best for YOU. As you can see, there are many different shapes and shapes that offer similar, but slightly different results. What do you use? Find a shape that works for you and tweak your throw from there. Remember, the smaller the flight, the faster and straighter trajectory to the board. The bigger the flight, the more arc trajectory and the dart will slow down as a result. Some players gain control over their darts when the dart slows down.
First, for clarification, it is not the dart flights that spin but the shafts. Second, spinning does not help with your throw or trajectory – only the dart/flight deflection of the second and third dart coming in to land a score. With this in mind, do you use a spinning shaft? This depends on how tight your groupings are and if you are experiencing a lot of deflection from your dart flights. If you have tight groupings and darts deflecting into a different pie after striking a flight, then the answer is yes – you would most likely benefit from spinning shafts.
Thicker dart flights such as 150 micron or 180 micron for folding dart flights are going to be a sturdier flight; otherwise, consider a molded flight that suits your budget and your throw.
Just like a golf ball, the dimples give the dart flights more lift.
The key is experimentation here. Start with a flight that appears to work and experiment with similar shapes to perfect your throw. Always remember the shaft/flight combination that works with one barrel may not always work with a different (shorter or longer) barrel. You may have to adjust shaft length and flight size accordingly. Again, if you want a faster, straighter dart, use a smaller flight. If you want your trajectory to arc and to slow your dart go up in flight size.
Note: Your shaft length can also affect this trajectory.
No, spinning shafts do not help you throw more accurately. As stated previously, the use of spinning shafts is to aid in less dart/flight deflection.
If you are using non-metal shafts with folding dart flights, switch to metal shafts. The prongs hold tighter and do not flex (like nylon or plastic material). You can even pinch metal shafts to hold the dart flights better. If you are using nylon or plastic shafts and won’t give them up with foldable dart flights, consider using stem rings or spring rings to pull in and tighten the prongs of the shaft. If you are using pre-molded flights, try a system like 8 Flight that screws on to the shafts, or Condor which are one-piece and can’t come off.
With folding dart flights you can use flight protectors to help keep the flights from splitting. If you are playing steel tip, you can use Trident 180 guards or Condor guards since most barrels have a precise 90 degree angle where the point is pressed in, which causes the most shredding of dart flights or cracking of pre-molded dart flights.
Also, if you are using steel tip darts, you could also try tapered points like Target Storm Points (all types), Voks Tornado Points, Red Dragon Specialist Points or the Harrows Apex Points. These tapered points like the tridents or guards allow the front of the dart to glide over the dart flights instead of smashing the edge causing less damage over the life of the flights.
Many pro players use a Standard (No. 2) or a Shape (No.6). However, in the United States the two most popular shapes that we sell are Slim and Shape (No. 6). Standard, Pear and Kite shapes follow those 2 in popularity. Remember, the best flight is the flight that flies best for you!
No, you should not fold or bend your molded dart flights. Forcing the flight out of shape may damage the fins of the flight and make it unusable unless you bend it back into its original shape. We recommend buying a special case intended for molded dart flights to store your flights.
No, you do not need to fold or bend your molded dart flights if you're using L Style dart rings. Pro Flights already have a pre-punched hole where you gently push the Pro Ring into place. There will be enough space to push it in without bending the flight.
To learn more about the L Style dart rings, read our Dart Shafts blog (coming soon) for additional information on dart ring accessories.