In archery, the choice of fletching (feathers) for arrows can be quite complex, although it might seem straightforward at first. There are several qualities to consider in order to find the ideal feather for your needs:
Profiles and Sizes (low profile and long feather, low profile and short feather, high profile and short feather…)
The profile of the feather is often distinguished by its use. For shorter shooting distances, both the profile and length need to be higher to stabilize the arrow more quickly. In contrast, for longer distances, a feather with a shorter profile and length might be preferred. For a traditional archery shot at 18 meters, a 5” natural feather might be effective. For a 60-meter shot with a compound bow, a 2” AAE Plastifletch Max feather with a low profile can be used for later stabilization, less wind influence, and reduced air friction.
Materials (Natural or Synthetic)
Materials (Natural or Synthetic)Feathers, depending on the bow or purpose, can be either natural bird feathers or synthetic materials such as plastic or high-quality synthetics.
For traditional bows, natural feathers are recommended because when passing through the bow’s window, they bend and don’t tend to deflect the arrow. If artificial feathers are used, they don’t bend as natural feathers do, which may cause deflections when the feather hits the bow’s window or arrow rest.
On the other hand, synthetic feathers generally require an arrow rest, whether for a recurve bow or a compound bow, where a drop-away or whisker biscuit rest is used.
Shapes (Parabolic, Shield, and Banana)
Shapes (Parabolic, Shield, and Banana)There is no consensus among archers about the best variations of feather shapes, whether parabolic, shield, or banana.
This decision typically comes after an archer has experimented with different materials, sizes, and shapes. It also depends on factors like shooting distance, tube diameter, bow power, and others.
Material Hardness (Rigid or Soft)
Material Hardness (Rigid or Soft)This applies to synthetic feathers. Depending on the material’s rigidity, it can be used with bows of higher or lower power. The more powerful the bow, the stiffer the feather for better stabilization. For a recurve bow, softer feathers can be used, as the lower power and speed cause less vibration in flight compared to high-powered compound bows. For example, the Bohning Blazer 2” feathers are a great option for bow hunting, offering precision and durability due to their stiffness and profile.
Types of Feathers in Archery Based on Fletching
Feathers are not just for decoration. They help stabilize the arrow, making it fly as straight as possible. The size of the feathers depends on the arrow’s caliber. Larger feathers provide more stabilization, but they also create more drag from wind resistance (like a sail on a boat) and increase the arrow’s weight and friction at the back.
Another factor to consider is the fletching style, as it partly influences the arrow’s flight.
By Fletching Type:
* **Straight Fletching** (slightly spins in flight)
* **Offset Fletching** (moderately spins in flight)
* **Helical Fletching** (strongly spins in flight)
By Number of Feathers:
3 Feathers:
This is the most common option for all archers. Traditionally, arrows come with three feathers, providing normal arrow stabilization. Longer feathers stabilize the arrow earlier.
4 Feathers:
Increasing the number of feathers enhances the arrow’s stabilization during flight but also increases air drag.
6 Feathers:
This fletching style is rare but offers high stabilization, even with shorter feathers, though it also increases air drag, causing the arrow to decelerate more quickly.
Ask at Your Club or Consult Experienced Archers
Although it can be complex at first, it’s recommended to consult with your coach or an experienced archer.
You’ll hear many opinions, but what is most recommended is to experiment on your own and try what works best for you.
It’s also very important to correctly determine how much stabilization your arrow needs, and for this, you can calculate the F.O.C (Front Of Center).
Types of Feathers in Archery Available in Stores
Bearpaw Natural Feather 5″ RW
Natural turkey feather with unique natural colors and patterns. The 5-inch long feather is typically used for arrows shot with higher-powered bows. It stabilizes arrows quickly and reliably. The feather shape is parabolic.
Features:
- Shape: Parabolic
- Length: 5″
- Color Pattern: Barracked
Bohning Impulse 4″ Feather for Recurve Bow
This feather is the result of over 2 years of research in aerodynamics and material engineering. The Impulse feather has a super-low profile, is lightweight, and highly durable. Its low profile reduces the chances of it hitting the arrow rest by 14%. Tests show that when it does contact the rest, it deflects less than other similar feathers.
Features:
- Recommended for recurve bows.
- Low profile for better resistance against strong crosswinds and unpredictable weather.
- New revolutionary lightweight composite material.
- Designed specifically for recurve archers but has also become popular among compound bow archers.
- Made from a material 50% lighter than standard Bohning materials.
- Super-low profile offering better release and wind resistance.
- Height: 0.3” (0.762 cm), Length: 3”, Weight: 5 grains.
XS Wings Spin Vane RH
XS-Wings feathers are high-performance, created by Benjamin Sitar, the owner of Xs-Wings, and his father Vlado Sitar, a former world-class archer with 30 years of experience. Unlike other feathers, these are developed both functionally and in terms of durability thanks to the material used. Easy to mount.
Features:
- Available in various sizes, colors, and stiffness to match any archer and bow.
- Durable material: resists bending and damage.
- Shield-shaped profile design.
- Easy to mount.
- Anchoring tape and adhesive strips included.
AAE Plastifletch Max 2″ Shield Feather
AAE Plastifletch Max features a perfect base width for excellent grip and fit on the tube. It’s designed with a thinner .018″ section for added lightness and flexibility. The feather’s vertical section is thicker for greater rigidity and durability. The vanes channel the air vortex, stabilizing the arrow more efficiently.
Features:
- New “Elastimax” material provides hardness, durability, and grip.
- Low-profile shield-shaped 2-inch feather.
- Excellent memory and durability.
- Length: 2”, Profile: 0.34”, Weight: 3.1 grains.
- Highly durable with excellent shape memory and grip.
Bohning Blazer 2″ Parabolic Feather
The Blazer artificial feather, with its unique design, immediately begins to direct and correct, making it a favorite among bowhunters and precision shooters worldwide. The combination of the steep leading edge angle and material stiffness allows air to flow over the vane in a way that creates lift. This leaves the tip of each feather undisturbed in the air, similar to the aerodynamics of cars. The airflow from the precise leading edge angle helps the feather act like a rudder, providing flatter trajectories at longer distances.
Features:
- Highly popular design, widely used in professional archery.
- Common choice for 3D archery, crossbows, and wide-tip arrows.
- Material and shape combination creates lift for flatter trajectories at longer distances.