I used to shoot nothing but 4" feathers until recently. I began shooting 3" feathers last year just before season and can see no difference between the 2. Now all of my arrow wear 3" feathers fletched with a right helical. I actually ike the looks of a shield cut feather, but the 3" shield cuts I have found are extremely high profile and very noisy in flight. I'm toying with the idea of getting a feather chopper and making my own. I love feathers.