My arrow will be 27" most likely, what feather length would you use.
the arrows I have now I'm using 4" parabolic on 26" gold tip hunter 500
and they fly good. new arrow gold tip traditional 600, is there any reason
to us 5", I have only shot field points, but I will shoot them when I get
more comfortable at shooting my bow.

Before you make a decision do your bareshaft testing first. The size feather you choose shouldn't make any difference or very little unless maybe you are using a real wide broadhead. From what I have read/seen many are going with shorter feathers saying that's all that's needed if the bow/bareshaft are tuned. If you hunt in the rain a larger feather may work better according to those who do.

I run 5 inch shield cut feathers. My arrows are tuned well enough that I probably don't need that much, but I like the added stability if needed. Plus I just like the way that they look.

4 and 5in feathers is all I've ever used. Never had any issues with either one using field points or broadheads.

I use four 4" shield cut or 4" banana cut low profile they work great for me with a bunch of difference broadheads. I am going to try some 3" shield cut next.

4x90 parabolic (quieter than shield), 3" work well but I hunt with 4" for that added assistance. At my hunting distances 4 4" work.

If your bow/arrow is well tuned and optimized and you have a clean release, you can use very short feathers, even with broadheads.  Short feathers will have less air drag in flight which translates to slightly more arrow speed.  Less whistling noise in flight. 

If 4" is flying good, then why change?
3" might fly good too but may not be as forgiving of a subpar release.
Sounds like you probably don't need 5" although it will help to smooth a rough release and also masks less than optimal tune, which it sounds like that you don't have.
When things are going well, let them; the minute you start looking for trouble, you are bound to find it.

Personally.... I like a 3 fletch low profile 4" in a shield cut. i've used 3" before too, but i cant see them fly as well.... i like watching  that arrow hit my spot....  The less feather you have, the less a side wind effects it too.

2 cents worth...  Kirk

I don't disagree about the lower deflection with shorter fletching Kirk, the arrows that I've carried for Caribou the last two times wore 3" after noticing them on Jerry Russell's arrows and asking about them a few years back. His answer made good sense to me.

I shoot 4 or 5" depending on the broadhead and/or arrow material.  Usually, lean to 5" cause I shoot big 3 blade heads.

I must be the odd ball. I burn my own and seems like 41/2 inch shield works best for me.

I have multiple set ups on my various bows - all are based looks for me.  Once tuned, the feather choice becomes less important. I do t mean feathers aren't important, but I do mean that 4" or 5", 4 fletch or 3 fletch, banana or shield cut, etc is not important.  That's "users choice" at that point as all those lengths, cuts, arrangements have been shown to be very effective.  The key is starting with a properly tuned arrow.

I've shot 5 inch fletch my entire bowhunting career, except when an arrow smith put some 4.5s on a couple of dozen.  I have also shot shields 90% of the time.  Some shields are louder than others, mine have rounded corners and are not noisy.

I also have been shooting strickly 4 fletch for probably 15 years now at lease. I like 4 fletch for no look nocking and quicker stabilization.

I have never lost an animal do to my feather choice.  Those that are worried that 5 inch will slow down their arrow so they move to 3 inch feathers can't shoot the difference.  The amount is so minuscule its just not worth it over stabilization.  Especially when you have to manufacture shots in the field. 

I've always shot 3, 4" feathers but this year I think I'm going to try 4, 3" feathers. Mathematically both arrangements have 12" of feather for correction/guidance so I'm curious to see if there is any noticeable advantage one way or the other.

My arrows and feathers are here, will start cutting and installing the feathers soon
right now building a patio cover this week. I bought 4" of both, will make six of each,
to see how they fly.  thanks for all the info. I appreciate all the feedback

I use 5 inch, that way as another Tradganger always says, it takes them out of the equation. 

The main reason to shoot 5" is if you happen to like them. 4" will work fine.  Last year was my first time hunting with 3" feathers. They worked great. Broadhead and fieldpoint impacted right next to each other.  This year, I'm thinking about 3" vanes. Your 4" fletchings will work great. Like anything else, make sure you tune for good arrow flight. Above all, archery should bring you joy; use whatever fletching size makes you happy.

Quote from: Maynard Ferguson on August 28, 2023, 06:57:55 AM
The main reason to shoot 5" is if you happen to like them. 4" will work fine.  Last year was my first time hunting with 3" feathers. They worked great. Broadhead and fieldpoint impacted right next to each other.  This year, I'm thinking about 3" vanes. Your 4" fletchings will work great. Like anything else, make sure you tune for good arrow flight. Above all, archery should bring you joy; use whatever fletching size makes you happy.

What shape are your 3" feathers your using?

No look notching is a plus for four fletch, I recently had a bunch of CX Heritage 350's made up with 4 x 4" shield cut and like the look.  Also, this gives a smidgeon more feather to guide the arrow with marginal tune.  Usually have index nocks on my woodies, so like 3 x 5" Shield or Traditional cut, plus that's what choppers I have.  I shoot big 3 blade heads and personally prefer the larger feathers, may go to 4 x 4" for all arrow materials, just cause I want to, 16" of feathers instead of 15".