I know the common traditional arrow has feathers rather than vanes. I have always used feathers. There was a young lady shooting with us recently who was shooting vanes and shooting quite well at that. It got me to thinking, what is the reason feathers are prefered? With the vast selection of vanes available are any of them comparable?

The way I understand it , is becouse they flex over the riser and shelf on the bow better.

If you shoot off the shelf you're better with feathers because as said above they flex more.  If you shoot from an elevated rest you can shoot whatever you want.

If you decide to try vanes to see if they work for you, try cock vane in before you give up.  Sometimes that'll work off the shelf.

I have 2 Bows that I shoot with vanes, that being said, I had to try a few vanes as they are all different, what has worked for me is the 4" Duravanes the particular ones I'm using are quite a bit more flexible than most. You would be surprised how much quieter the arrow is. Now if I could get them in the colors I like, I would be happier.

I always thought feathers were supposed to be quieter? and faster too?  That being said, I'm prolly in the minority, but for me feathers have always kinda held up better..yeah little bits might get ripped off, but vanes I have shot and messed up a shot with and hit something have always either torn making them useless or gotten nasty creases in them which don't wanna come out.  Me, I just like the simplicity of feathers and a shelf.  To me the main advantage of vanes is weather resistance.

as said above feathers lay down and go flat as they cross the riser. vanes can not lay down or go flat they just fold sideways. so off the shelf feathers kick less.

Feathers look cool  

I am not sure that paradox with a properly spined arrow has the Fletch anywhere near the riser...I shoot cock vane up

DDave

I have one of my bows set up to hunt in the rain.  As such, I shoot an elevated spring arm rest with 4-fletch vanes.  Shoots fantastic!  They are definately quieter.  

All my other bows are shot off the shelf with feathers.

I have one of my bows set up to hunt in the rain.  As such, I shoot an elevated spring arm rest with 4-fletch vanes.  Shoots fantastic!  They are definately quieter.  

All my other bows are shot off the shelf with feathers.

I have one of my bows set up to hunt in the rain.  As such, I shoot an elevated spring arm rest with 4-fletch vanes.  Shoots fantastic!  They are definately quieter.  

All my other bows are shot off the shelf with feathers.

Living on the wet side of Washington I have tried vanes over the years. You will need a raised rest for best results. I found them quieter than feathers in flight and when you brush a feather up against your pant leg on stand they make noise, vanes do not. Rain does not bother a vane ... all that said I am shooting feathers these days.

After much consideration I think I agree with Stone Kinfe - feathers do look cool!

Thanks for the input all more fun stuff to think about.