Bigbulls very true, but on a backpack hunt here in the west I worry about them holding up to the abuse and moisture. For me its vanes all the way!

Interesting. I've never tried feathers, after reading this I'll try a couple.

No kidding.

BUT, as we all know things do happen in the woods that us hunters didn't expect to happen. Ever taken a shot and low and behold there was a tiny little branch directly in the arrows or bullets path that you never saw? I have and I know that many many others have had this happen to them as well. If that arrows fletching hits that little twig the feathers will fold out of the way and still get the arrow to its target very close to where you were aiming. A vane will deflect off of the twig and send the arrow on another path not intended by the shooter creating a better chance of wounding an animal.

TRIED FEATHERS FAILED ME GOT VANES EATIN FINE...