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Dart flights are one of those things that lots of players overlook, but they make a bigger difference than most people realise.
The shape, size, and material of your flights all affect how your dart travels through the air and how it lands in the board. Getting the best dart flights can tighten up your groupings and reduce bounce-outs.
This guide covers the main flight types, what each one does, and how to choose the right flights for your throw.
What Do the Best Dart Flights Actually Do?
Flights create drag behind the dart as it travels through the air. This drag stabilises the dart and keeps it flying nose-first toward the board.
Without a flight, the dart would tumble and land at random angles, not great for hitting that treble 20 and of course, here at Throw For 180, that’s all we’re interested in!
The size and shape of the flight determines how much drag is created. More drag means more stability but a slightly slower dart. Less drag means a faster, flatter trajectory with less natural correction in the air.
Flight Shapes: The Main Types
The different shapes on the market are key to know about and understand in order to get the best dart flights for your game, here’s our run down of them.
Standard Flights
Standard flights are the largest and most common shape. They create the most drag, which makes them the most forgiving, the extra drag stabilises the dart and helps it correct any slight wobble in the throw.
Standard flights are ideal for heavier darts (20g+), slower throws, and beginners, so are the best dart flights for most people. Most professional players use standard flights, and there’s a good reason for that.
Slim Flights
Slim flights are narrower and longer than standard flights, creating less drag. They suit players with a faster, more powerful throw who don’t need the dart correcting itself mid-air.
Slim flights also help with dart grouping because they take up less room in the board, it’s easier to get three darts close together without the flights clipping each other.
Pear Flights
Pear flights sit between standard and slim, slightly smaller than standard but with a rounder shape.
They’re a good middle-ground option and are popular with players who want a bit less drag than standard without going all the way to slim. Worth experimenting with if standard flights feel too draggy for your throw.
Kite Flights
Kite flights have a distinctive pointed top and wider body. They create significant drag and are good for players who throw with a high arc.
Less common than the other shapes but a solid choice for specific throwing styles.
Fantail Flights
Fantail flights are a more unusual shape with a flared, fan-like design.
They tend to be used by players who want very high drag and a steeply descending dart trajectory. Niche, but worth knowing about.
Flight Materials
Standard polyester: The most common material, affordable, widely available, and good enough for most players. They crease and tear over time with regular use.
Thick polyester (HD or heavy duty): Thicker than standard, these last longer and hold their shape better. A step up worth taking if you’re practising regularly.
Nylon: Very durable and hold their shape well. More expensive but last significantly longer than standard polyester.
Dimpled flights: These have a dimpled surface similar to a golf ball, which reduces drag slightly and can give a more consistent flight path. Popular with some experienced players.
Which Flights Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple guide based on your throwing style:
- Beginner or slower throw: Standard shape, standard or heavy duty polyester
- Medium throw speed, average weight darts: Standard or pear shape, heavy duty polyester
- Fast throw, lighter darts: Slim or pear shape, nylon or heavy duty polyester
- Grouping issues (flights clipping each other): Try slim flights to give more room
Top Flight Brands to Look For
Winmau, Red Dragon, Unicorn, and Harrows all make excellent flights at very reasonable prices.
A set of flights costs next to nothing, usually £1–£5 for a pack of three sets, so it’s worth experimenting. Try a few shapes and see what changes your groupings before deciding on what are the best dart flights for you.
Best Dart Flights: Final Thoughts
Flights are cheap, easy to change, and have a real impact on how your darts fly. If you’ve never experimented beyond whatever came in the box, it’s absolutely worth trying a couple of different shapes.
Standard is always a safe starting point but don’t be afraid to explore.
For more gear help, check out our full range of darts buying guides. And if you want to see what flights the pros are using, our pro player setup guides have all the details.