the only drawback I can see is the noise the feathers make in comparison to vanes , when going for a light nock end of the arrow
Actually, once you have the arrow down to the 200-220 fps range feathers really don't make much noise. After you shoot them a bit and get them "fuzzed up", they become even more quiet. I don't find fletching noise to be an issue at all. Besides, your bow will be so much more quiet, the arrows almost there before they have a chance of hearing anything.