How to choose the best darts flights (for all levels) 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 blog will help you find out everything you need to know about dart flights. We will guide you through the different types of dart flights, including the various shapes, weights and textures, and how they have an impact on how you play. What are the best flights for darts? This article will guide you in: What is a darts flight? Why are darts flights important? Choosing the best dart flights: Symmetry and shape Choosing the best dart flight thickness How much should dart flights weigh? Darts flight texture: Dimples vs no dimples How dart flights impact your throw What dart flights do the pros use? The best dart flights for any budget The best value dart flights for beginners The best dart flights for intermediate players Protecting your dart flights What is a darts flight? The flight is an essential part of the dart as they are what helps the dart to fly through the air and reach the dartboard. As the diagram above shows, the flight simply slots into the end of the shaft and when in place will keep the dart stable whilst in motion. Flights come in many different shapes and designs, as well as various thicknesses and materials, to suit the individual preferences of each player. The most popular dart flight shapes are standard (No. 2) and shape (No. 6), but there are many other sizes available such as pear, kite and slim to cater for different players. 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. A dart flight can also be the perfect way of customising your favourite set of arrows and making them your own. You can make your darts truly unique with personalised dart flights by choosing flights in your preferred colour and adding custom text such as your name or darts nickname. Choosing the best dart flights: Symmetry and shape The constant evolution in darts and technology means that there is 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 in how their darts travel through the air. The best dart flight shape will vary from player to player as everyone has their own unique style. Some players will prefer using kite dart flights and others might find the best dart flights for their game are a standard shape. Here’s a look in more detail at the various dart flight shapes available:- Standard flights / Shape darts flights Standard flight Also known as a No. 2 flight The most commonly used flight shape Ideal choice of flight for players who use standard darts (around 23g and above) or has a weak/lobbed throw Will help to stabilise the dart in the air more than a slimmer flight (eg. Pear flight) Shape flight Also known as a No. 6 flight Very similar to a Standard flight but has slightly slanted sides Travels through the air faster, but can reduce stability and as a result your consistency Could be the flight for you if you want to adjust the angle your darts stand in the board Pear, Kite and Fantail dart flights Pear, Kite and Fantail flights These are some of the most popular smaller flight options Used by several professional players, including Jonny Clayton, Danny Noppert and Ryan Joyce Smaller flights travel through the air faster, but can be less forgiving if you throw a bad dart as you will have less control on how they fly The smaller flight size covers less of the target. This helps when trying to group darts together Top Tip: 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. Slim, DXM and Sigma dart flights Slim, DXM and Sigma flights These flights are mostly used by players who like to ‘stack’ their darts on top of each other ‘Stacking’ method made famous by the 16-time world champion Phil Taylor Taylor 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 Very few players would be able to successfully use a Slim or Sigma flight with their own darts Top Tip: You’ll need a straight throw to use these flights so that the darts consistently land ‘flat’ in the board each time Arrowhead, V-Wing, Vortex, Mini and Shield dart flights Arrowhead and V-Wing flights Both these flights have similar properties to the Slim and Sigma style of flights Vortex flights These will behave in the air like something between standard and pear shaped dart flights A Vortex flight provides a lot of stability, but are also very narrow, which opens up more room to group your darts together Mini flights A smaller version of a standard flight Their smaller size will make the flight act like a slim flight Shield flights Similar to a slim flight and will behave in an almost identical way Check out our alternative dart flights collection featuring Sigma and Vortex shaped flights! Moulded dart flights A popular recent addition to the dart flights market has been the emergence of moulded dart flights. These flights are made from thicker materials and are designed to be more durable whilst also maintaining a perfect 90 degree angle during play. Moulded flights come in various shapes including the popular standard (no. 2) and shape (no. 6) sizes, and are the flight of choice for several professionals such as Jose De Sousa and Ryan Searle. Mission Force 90 dart flights Mission Force 90 is the brand new all-in-one flight and shaft system from Mission Darts Made from high grade composite material to keep a perfect 90-degree angle every time Includes smooth edges to help reduce deflections and promote a more precise trajectory Condor dart flights Condor flight Condor flights are one of the most popular all in one dart flights on the market The flight and shaft are fused together as one piece which makes it easier to get your darts ready to use These flights are lighter in weight than a normal flight and shaft put together, so it can influence how the dart behaves These flights tend to be more effective with heavier darts, but they can also be used with any weight of dart A Condor flight is very hardwearing and will last a lot longer than a normal style of flight Cosmo and Clic dart flights Cosmo flights Uses a ‘push-in’ system where you put the shaft inside the flight and lock it in, instead of putting the flight inside the shaft This system makes it less likely for the flight and shaft to come apart during play Top Tip: Cosmo flights only work with Cosmo shafts, so if you go with this option then you will also have to commit to the whole Cosmo flight and shaft system. Clic flights Similar to the Cosmo flight system as the flight ‘pushes’ onto the shaft and locks in place The main difference between the two is that the Clic flight is a little heavier, so is the ideal choice if you prefer a bit of extra weight towards the rear of the dart Robson dart flights Robson flights One of the most innovative flights on the market An ingenious system as these solid dart flights unlike a Condor or Cosmo flight, have no shaft involved, just a flight These flights will fit on any four-pronged dart shaft, including nylon and alloy shafts These flights weigh slightly more than the average flight, so will give you extra weight at the rear of the dart The edges are reinforced for extra durability The flight slots over the shaft to protect them and increase the longevity of the shaft Choosing the best dart flight thickness When choosing the best dart flights, the thickness of the flight is surprisingly important. Flight thickness is measured in ‘microns’, with the thinnest being 75 microns and the thickest option generally 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 Polymers benefits from being durable and allows darts to slide past each other smoothly, helping you to group your darts together closely. The Mission Alliance Union Jack Flights are a favourite of ours from the Darts Corner range, with these flights being made from an extremely durable 150 micron plastic material. Hard plastic polymers cannot be repaired easily, so once they rip or are damaged you will need to replace them. A Soft Plastic Polymers flight 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 by hand. Flights made of Nylon are a popular choice for players as they are amongst the most durable flights on the market. The Designa Longlife Flights is one of our best-selling nylon flights, it features interwoven reinforcement fibres to enhance strength and durability. 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! Darts flight texture: Dimples vs no dimples Dimples on a flight can have a big impact on 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 without dimples. A dimpled flight could be the best dart flight material for players who use heavier darts. They 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. Designa Raw 75 Dimplex Flights are an example of a flight with a dimple texture. 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 stabilize its path during flight. How darts flights impact your throw The flights you decide to use will have an impact on the trajectory of the dart and the angle it lands in the dartboard. The angle of entry will be different depending on the flights you use, but in general the bigger the flight then the more your darts will stand upright in the board. A standard flight will give you more control on the arc that your dart takes when travelling in the air, acting like a parachute to keep the height of the dart as it reaches the end of the arc and reaches the board. The benefit of this is it will help prevent your darts from dropping low, so will help promote better scoring when aiming for the treble 20 segment. What do different dart flights do? Watch the video below to find out more about how the different dart flights change how the dart flies through the air. What dart flights do the 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 percentage 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. What flights do pro dart players use? The 2024 Premier League champion Luke Littler uses a shape flight with his darts. These flights are a very similar shape to the standard flight, but are different in that they have slightly slanted sides to them. This small difference makes the dart travel faster through the air and will also adjust the angle which the darts stand in the board. Find out more about Littler’s darts setup in our ‘How To Play Darts Like Luke Littler’ blog. 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. The best dart flights for any budget Now that we have hopefully answered all your questions on what are the best dart flights and what is the best dart flight shape, it’s time to look at choosing the right flight for your budget. A set of darts flights is relatively inexpensive, but there are premium flight options made of more quality materials which come at a higher price. 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, such as our bulk flight packs. Make a big saving when buying multiple sets of flights! 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! Ruthless R4X Dart Flights are amongst the best dart flights for beginners and more experienced players. These 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, a Ruthless flight will keep your darts kit simple and stylish! The best dart flights 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, including standard, pear and kite. This selection gives players the opportunity to try something different from their usual setup. The Unicorn Super Maestro DXM Dart Flights allows you to test out a unique flight shape with your darts. Discover your best dart flights at Mission Precision An exclusive to Darts Corner, discover the best dart flights for you with a Mission Precision Fitting – the ultimate experience for darts fans! This is a one-to-one session hosted by an ex-PDC professional, who will use his expertise to help you find out the best darts for you, including the flight and shaft setup that most suits your own style. During this one-hour session you will get to try out lots of different darts, from a range of more than 200 sets of premium Mission darts, along with a wide selection of flights and shafts. A Mission Precision Fitting will benefit players who are struggling to identify the best dart flights for their playing style. Personalise your darts flights Make your darts setup truly unique with a set of personalised dart flights from Darts Corner. Custom dart flights can help you to express your individuality as you can have the words of your choice printed on the flights, like a meaningful word or phrase, your darts nickname or a person’s name/special date that inspires you. Choose from a range of flights in different colours, shapes and fonts to really stand out from the crowd. Personalised flights make for a great gift for a darts enthusiast, especially when matched with something from our personalised dart shafts and personalised darts collections! Protecting your dart flights There are several accessories you can add to your favourite set of darts to help care for your flights and increase their longevity. Darts Corner carries a top-quality range of flight protectors that when added to your darts will help keep your flights in their best shape for longer. A flight protector fits onto 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 come in an assortment of different colours. 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. Pick up a dart flight punch for an even tighter grip between the flights and shafts of your darts. Use the flight punch to create a slot into the tip of each flight, where the darts ring sits to help give a stronger hold when inserted into the shaft. Choose the best dart flight with Darts Corner There is plenty to think about when it comes to choosing the best dart flights. A dart flight, whilst small in stature, plays a crucial role in how a dart travels in the air and lands 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. The Darts Corner blog has plenty of other useful guides to help you on your darts journey. Check out the ‘How To Choose Darts For Beginners’ and ‘How To Find The Perfect Darts For You’ blogs for more insight on picking a set of darts to use. Read the ‘Dart Barrels And Material’ blog for a closer look at all of the dart barrel options available. Alex Moss is a content creator for Darts Corner and the co-host of the Weekly Dartscast podcast. Alex co-founded the Weekly Dartscast in 2017 and has helped produce 350+ episodes of the podcast, with their list of previous guests on the show a who’s who in the world of darts. Alex also writes content for the Darts Corner blog, including the weekly darts news round-ups and how-to guides.
