Why I Chose Performance Darts Smooth

When it comes to darts equipment, there’s a natural tendency to look towards the biggest brands.

They have the biggest players, the most visibility, and the strongest presence across the game. It’s easy to assume that if something is being used at the highest level, it must be the best option.

But in reality, it’s not always that simple.

Over time, I’ve realised that the best setup isn’t about the biggest name it’s about what actually works for your throw. That’s exactly what led me to try the smooth darts from Performance Darts.

What First Caught My Attention

I first noticed them while watching the MODUS Super Series.

Adam Smith-Neale was using them, and they immediately stood out. Not because they were flashy or heavily marketed but because they were the opposite.

Simple. Clean. Smooth.

I’m not someone who sees a pro using something and instantly wants it. In fact, I usually avoid that mindset (don't get me wrong I do have players darts but I'm fully aware that owning and throwing a set of Littler G1 darts will not make me play like he does). But there was something about these that made me take notice.

It wasn’t about the player it was about the design.

Stepping Away From the “Big Brand” Mindset

This was probably the first time I consciously stepped away from the idea that bigger brands automatically mean better performance.

There are a lot of excellent products out there that don’t get the same exposure, simply because they’re not backed by huge marketing or big-name players.

That doesn’t make them any less effective.

If anything, it makes it more important to test things for yourself rather than following what everyone else is doing.

Trying Smooth Darts for the First Time

Up to this point, I had never used smooth darts.

Like most players, I’d always leaned towards having some level of grip—something to feel, something to anchor the fingers.

So switching to a completely smooth barrel was a genuine change.

At first, it felt strange. Almost too clean. There wasn’t that immediate feedback you get from a grippier dart, and it took a bit of trust to commit to the throw without that reference point.

Early on, it can feel like you have less control—but in reality, you’re just removing something you’ve relied on.

The more I used them, the more that started to change.

Instead of thinking about grip, I started focusing purely on the throw:

• The timing

• The release

• The repeatability

And over time, something interesting happened.

The darts actually started to feel grippier, not because the barrel changed, but because my fingers adapted to them. The contact became more natural, more consistent, and more controlled.

What started as something that felt “too smooth” became something that felt:

Predictable. Controlled. Repeatable.

That’s when they started to make sense.

The Darts — Specs, Balance & Feel

The darts themselves are a big part of why this works.

I’m using them in 24g, which sits right in that ideal range for me—heavy enough to feel stable, but not so heavy that it affects rhythm or speed.

Key details:

• Weight: 24g

• Barrel: Smooth profile

• Dimensions: Length: 48mm, Width 6.5mm

• Grip: Minimal, with subtle reference points

  
  

The balance is what really stands out.

They feel very well balanced overall, slightly leaning towards a neutral to very mild front bias. That suits a fast, direct throw, as the dart tracks cleanly without feeling like it’s pulling in either direction.

One detail that makes a bigger difference than expected is the two small rings at the rear of the barrel.

They’re not aggressive, but they provide:

• A subtle reference point

• Just enough feedback for the thumb

• A bit of control without affecting the clean release

  
  

It’s a small design choice, but it works really well.

Instead of adding grip across the whole barrel, it gives you just enough where you need it—without compromising the smooth feel.

Why They Work for Me

The biggest benefit I’ve found is the release.

With no grip interfering, the dart leaves the hand cleanly every time.

There’s no drag, no sticking—just a smooth, consistent release.

Over time, that’s helped improve:

• Consistency

• Grouping

• Confidence at the oche

Not because the darts are doing the work—but because they allow a more natural action.

Quality and Build

The one thing that stands out straight away was is the quality. Performance Darts have done an amazing job with this design.

The finish is excellent, simple, clean, and clearly well made. Nothing feels rushed or over designed.

It’s a good reminder that you don’t need heavy marketing or complex machining to produce something that performs at a high level.

The Team Behind Performance Darts

Another big positive has been dealing with the team at Performance Darts.

They’re a great group of people, and nothing ever seems like too much trouble. There’s a genuine passion there, and it shows.

That kind of approach makes a difference.

Final Thoughts

Choosing these darts wasn’t about following a pro or chasing a big brand.

It was about seeing something different, testing it properly, and finding what works.

And that’s really the takeaway.

It’s not always about going with the biggest brands or the most popular setups. It’s about understanding your own game and building a setup that supports it.

Sometimes the best improvements come from stepping away from what everyone else is doing.