How Do You Know Which Darts Are Right for You?

Choosing the right set of darts can feel like guesswork at first. With so many weights, barrel shapes, shaft lengths and flight styles available, it’s easy to wonder whether there’s a simple way to figure out what suits you. The truth is that darts are extremely personal: the way you throw, grip and feel the dart matters far more than what any pro uses.

I’ve gone through this myself. I’ve tried different designs, shapes and styles, but I always seem to drift back to my scalloped Mervyn King darts. They just fit the way I grip the dart  right in the middle of the barrel and give me a sense of control I struggle to find with anything else. That in itself tells you something: the 'right' darts aren’t necessarily the most expensive or the most popular. They’re the ones that feel natural in your hand.

Weight – the Starting Point

Most players settle somewhere between 18g and 26g, but the important part is how the dart behaves when you release it.

• If you tend to throw quickly, a lighter dart might suit you because it won’t drag through the air.

• If your throw is slower or more deliberate, a slightly heavier dart often feels steadier.

There’s no magic number. You simply want a dart that lands where you expect it to land without feeling like you’re forcing it.

Barrel Shape and Grip – Matching Your Hold

This is where things become much more individual. Some players hold right at the front, some in the middle, some at the rear. The barrel should support that natural grip.

• Front-grippers often prefer darts with more shape or grip at the nose.

• Rear-grippers might like a design that tapers backwards.

• Middle-grippers (like me) often get on well with a scallop or a ringed grip in the central section.

If you pick up a dart and feel your fingers naturally lock in without slipping or readjusting, that’s usually a good sign.

Shaft and Flight – Fine-Tuning the Flight Path

Once you’ve found a barrel you like, the shaft length and flight size help influence how the dart moves through the air.

• Shorter shafts can make the dart behave quicker and are often chosen by players with a snappier motion.

• Longer shafts and bigger flights can add stability and help straighten the dart in flight.

This is the part that’s often overlooked but can completely change how the dart behaves, even if the barrel stays the same. Sometimes swapping to a different flight shape solves an issue you thought was caused by the dart itself.

So… Is There a Way to 'Know' Which Darts Are Right?

Not instantly. But there is a pattern:

• Choose a comfortable weight to start.

• Let your natural grip guide the barrel shape.

• Use shafts and flights to tidy up the flight path.

• Stick with a setup long enough to develop confidence before making big changes.

It’s also worth paying attention to what you reach for without thinking. I’ve tried plenty of darts, yet I always go back to the Mervyn Kings. That alone tells me they suit my hand, my grip, and my throw. Very often, the dart you feel most relaxed with ends up being the right one.

Final Thought

The perfect dart doesn’t exist, but the perfect dart for you does. It’s the one that feels natural, doesn’t force you into an unfamiliar grip, and allows you to forget about the equipment and simply throw. That’s when the good darts start to follow.