RE: 4" or 5" vanes? helical or straight fletch???
I always seem to wind up with vanes on new arrows. After shooting groups for a week or so, and shooting those vanes to shreds, I refletch with feathers. Always.
I use as much helical as I can get away with and still be sure to get plenty of fletching clearance. Obviously, I use more helical on aluminum than I can on carbon. I use 4" feathers on carbon. 5" on aluminum, assuming the brace height and arrow rest location will allow it.
For me, feathers are both more forgiving and more durable than plastic.