Choosing darts is personal: what feels perfect to one player feels wrong to another. First decide what you will use them for. For the occasional game at home you don't need an expensive set. If you play in a league or tournaments, a better tungsten set is worth it. These points will get you a long way.
Steel tip or soft tip?
Steel tip darts have a steel point and are thrown at a sisal dartboard, as in leagues and the PDC. Soft tip darts have a plastic point and are made for electronic dartboards. They are usually lighter.
Which weight?
Weight has nothing to do with your body weight. Roughly:
- Light (up to about 20 grams): you throw more by feel, which takes a lot of practice.
- Medium (21 to 24 grams): the most popular weights and a good starting point.
- Heavy (25 grams and up): a more stable flight, especially with a powerful throw.
Shape and weight distribution
Most players throw a straight barrel. A torpedo is thicker in the middle or at the front, and a bomb shape has its weight clearly at the front. Weight distribution matters too: front-loaded or rear-loaded.
Which grip?
- Low grip: a smooth barrel or fine rings, for players with dry hands or a light hold.
- Medium grip: rings or knurled grip, the most popular choice.
- High grip: sharp 'shark' or micro grip, ideal if your hands sweat easily or are rough.
Tungsten or brass?
Brass darts are inexpensive and fine for casual play. Tungsten is much denser, so the barrel can be slimmer at the same weight. That lets you group your darts more tightly. Tungsten darts range from 80% to 97%: the higher the percentage, the slimmer and more expensive the barrel. Better sets also have the three barrels matched more closely in weight.
Brands
We stock Target, Target Japan, Winmau, Unicorn, Harrows, Mission, Red Dragon, Bull's NL, GOAT, Bullet, Loxley, Embassy Germany, among others. Read an overview per brand in Brands of steel tip darts.
The best choice is made with the darts in your hand. Visit our 300 m² shop at Kerkstraat 3 in Roggel (Netherlands): we let you compare weights and grips and are happy to advise you. Read also: Which dart shafts should I buy? and Which dart flights should I buy?
