I had the same thoughts early on with my WB. Yes they do need some time getting broken in (bristles soften up) but what is more important is the quality of the vane and the install that is making the difference on my rig. I purchased 2 doz of the Cabelas Carbon Hunter arrows and promptly shot off the venes, both seperation from shaft and torn off the T. I hade the arrows revaned at a good shop and BINGO.....I have a good 100 passes on a set of 6 without a tear, although I do have some rippling on all the vanes it does not seem to affect the POI out to 27 yds