Page 5 of 5 - Vanes
Vanes are generally constructed from tough plastic or rubber and are responsible for fulfilling the same function as fletching on standard arrows: providing stability and corrective flight in the air. They come in various styles, lengths, and stiffnesses to accommodate different shooting styles and setups.
Common Types of Vanes:
- Target Vanes - The low profile helps with speed, tight groupings
- Hunting Vanes - Tall and stiff, requiring stability for broadheads
- Blazer Vanes - Lots of popularity for compound bows and fixed-blade broadheads
Vanes are typically glued to the arrow in either straight, offset, or helical orientation, depending on how much spin and/or flight characteristics you want.
Why Vanes MatterProper vane selection ensures:
- Steady arrow flight even at high speeds or in wind
- Tighter groupings and better accuracy
- Consistent spin for broadhead stabilization
- Durability shot after shot, through targets and through the field
For bowhunters, vanes are extremely important when it comes to keeping broadheads flying straight. For target shooters, vanes help to maintain pinpoint precision on long-range shots.
Choosing the Right VanesWhen selecting archery vanes, consider:
- Arrow style and shaft size
- Bow style and poundage
- Shooting style (target, hunting, bowfishing)
- Vane height and length for drag and control
- Helical or straight fletch for spin preference
In all types of applications, from micro vanes for speed shooters to large hunting vanes to tame broadhead arrows, the right fletching helps immensely.