Dart flights are often overlooked however they are one of the most important elements in your game. There are many options that can impact the way that you play whether that be the shape and size of the flight or the material that the flight is made from. Without these on your darts they would simply fall straight to the floor before reaching the dartboard, so they are imperative to the game. Given their importance, it is a good idea to always keep them well looked after and fresh and to replace them whenever they have a lot of scuffs and damage on them to ensure your darts are performing at the optimum level and always looking the best
How to keep your Darts flights from falling off
Dart flights usually fall of due to a couple main reasons one of the key reasons is due to increased snagging during play, when the end of the dart flight gets frayed they proturde and clip other dart flights which leads to them coming out of the stem.
It can also occur if the stem is damaged, so the flight isn’t properly sitting in the slot it’s meant to. The most common time that they will fall out is when they are getting grouped together on the board as they may be colliding with each other upon landing.
A couple good ideas to prevent dart flights from falling out or getting damaged would be.
• Use flight protectors to help prevent splitting at the top of the flight
• Make sure you use good quality flights
• Check the flight is seated in the dart stem correctly
• Check points for any damaged edges that could cause tears if contacting the flight
• Have a look at springs and rings which help hold flights more securely.
• Look at integrated flight and shaft systems as they are secured as one to the dart
Integrated dart flight and shaft systems
You could also try switching over from original Dart Flights to the newer integrated slight and shaft systems that have been taking over the game at all levels. Products such as K-flex, Nitro, Solo and Fusion are all extremely useful as they combine the flight and the stem into one moulded piece of equipment that screws into the dart which means it is securely attached and unlikely to come out unless unscrewed. Intergrated Dart flights have seen a massive surge in use since Luke Littler burst on the scene and brought them into the main stream.
Traditional Flights Vs Integrated flight systems.
The traditional dart flight system allows players to customize stem and flight separately which allows players to mix and match the length, shape and material to help create the players exact preferred setup. They are usually a lot cheaper than buying an integrated flight system but as a trade of they are a lot more likely to get damaged with a large amount of use.
On the other hand, integrated flights tend to be more expensive than buying a traditional set up but given their moulded together design they will not be falling out when colliding with each other like traditional flights have been known to do. They may have less customization possibilities than the traditional set up, but they will keep their shape throughout their timespan attached to your dart. Whether you like the customization and flexibility of the traditional set up or the durability of the integrated systems, both perform to the highest level in your set up.
How To Attach Your Dart Flights
If you are just beginning in the sport and are not sure how to attach the flight, then this section is for you! It can be daunting at first but the more you play the more you will get used to it and eventually it will become second nature to you.
For those with a traditional dart flights set up simply,
• Take the old flight out that you are replacing
• Open out your new flight so it is square
• Locate the slots in the end of the stem and push the flight in
• Replace the flight protectors to keep the flight in place
And then you are ready to play
For the integrated dart flight system, it is a bit different but just as easy!
• Remove any existing stem by unscrewing it from your dart
• Take your integrated system and screw that into the dart barrel
• Ensure that it is lined up properly while being screwed in
And there you go you’re ready to play.
How often should Dart flights be replaced?
Your dart flights lifespan totally depends on the amount of time you spend using them and the type of flights that they are. For a traditional dart flight set up it will be a bit shorter due to the damage that can occur while using them or if they have lost their shape due to impacts with the floor during play while integrated dart flights can last a considerable amount longer due to their durability.
Realistically you should always just keep an eye on your set up particularly your dart flights and make sure to replace when there are significant signs of wear on the products which may be impacting your level of play.
Here at Double Top Darts Shop we’re passionate about helping players find the perfect darting setup for their game. Whether you are looking for a traditional flight setup, an integrated setup or just advice on getting the perfect equipment for you and your game, our team is always happy to help. You can learn more about our shop and our story on the about us section of our website or get in touch if you have any questions or queries.
Sam Jackson
Sam Jackson is a member of the content team at Double Top Dart Shop, and runs our social media accounts. He has over 100,000 followers across the social platforms creating engaging darts content, sharing the latest product releases and helping keep players up to date with everything happening in the world of darts.
