fobs vs vanes picture

Fletch Fight | FOB Archery vs Vanes

Over the years I had heard about the “FOBs” from FOB Archery on various archery forums. I learned that FOB stands for “Fletchings Only Better.”

But what was the story behind this new product, and would it really work better than fletchings or vanes?

The History of FOB Archery

john lusk holding a fob

The FOB is made of nylon and has “fletchings” that are at a 4-degree off-set.

The FOB was designed by an aerospace engineer named Paul Morris. He designed it based on the concept of aerodynamics.

He believed there was a away to improve upon the old fletching that Native Americans and people all over the world had been using for years and also in competitive archery. At the time, the FOBs were known as Starrflight FOB.

But then, in July of 2018, three business partners purchased the company from Morris and rebranded it to FOB Archery.

Keep reading for an in-depth look at the FOBs to find out if they’re right for you…

FOBs At First Glance

I finally got around to testing the FOBs. I have to be honest, when I first started reading about them and saw them, I was like, “Really?” My B.S. meter was going off a little bit.

But, I decided to give them a try.

The FOB is made of nylon. It looks simple, and in some ways, it’s exactly that. But in other ways, it’s very meticulously designed.

It simply slides onto the end of the nock. Then you insert your nock into the arrow shaft and you have essentially fletched your arrow. It’s that simple… and it’s fast.

No glue. No time. Just boom! And it’s done.




An In-Depth Look

The circular ring around the FOB is thicker in the front than it is in the back. It’s an air foil design that aides in the stabilization and flight of the arrow.

fletchings only better

The FOB, although just a small piece of nylon, is precision crafted to give arrows proper in-flight stabilization.

The three little “vanes” are at a 4-degree offset. In effect, very And then these vanes if you will, the three little vanes, they are at a 4-degree offset.



The FOBs claim to be more accurate in a cross-wind than fletchings. The theory is that the cross-wind will blow a fletched arrow more off-course due to the larger surface area on the back of the arrow.  

The combined with the air foil design, the offset vanes allow for greater spin. With the thicker front portion of the ring, and the thinner part in the back of the ring provides 360-degrees of stabilization.



Offset fletched vanes will rotate, but technically not the 360-degrees of stabilization that the ring of the FOB provides.

I should note that the blazer vanes I typically use are different than what most people use. I use a 4-degree helical setting. So, they are put on with a 4-degree helical using an Arizona EZ Fletch.



That gives you the fastest rotation that you can get with blazers.

Sometimes people use the blazer vanes with an offset at 3 or 3-1/2 degrees. Some will just buy them from the factory in a straight position. But, when you put them on with a helical, they spin a lot better and you get better groups.

I tested the FOBS compared to the 4-degree helical blazers to see how well the fly and group. I tested indoors and outdoors with field points and also outdoors at long range using broadheads.

FOB Archery vs Vanes Indoors at 40 Yards

fob arrows vs vaned arrows on target

When compared to arrow with Blazer vanes with a 4-degree helical twist, FOBs grouped extremely well indoors at 40 yards.

Outdoors at 40 Yards

fobs and blazer arrows on target

The FOBs vs Blazer vanes at 40 yards outdoors. They also performed very well in this test.

With Fixed Blade Broadheads at 80 Yards

fobs and vanes outdoor target at 80 yards with fixed blade broadheads

I shot the FOBs vs Blazer vanes at 80 yards outdoors with fixed-blade broadheads.

Ballistic Gel Testing

ballistic gel test setup for fobs

This test consisted of ballistic gel with MDF board in the back of the setup.

Next, I did some testing into ballistic gel, shooting a regular vaned arrow with the Blazers and an arrow with a FOB on it.

I wanted to see two things. First, I wanted to see how the penetration was affected by the fletching and by the FOB. Secondly, I wanted to see how effectively the FOB bounces off the gel when it is contacted.

I first shot the FOB and then the Blazers. On impact, the FOB bounced right back to my feet (about 4-5 yards).



FOB Penetration vs Blazer Vanes

The vaned arrow went through the ballistic gel and simply landed behind the gel block. It didn’t stick at all into the layer of MDF.

However, the bare shaft that had the FOB on it continued to fly through the gel and not only stuck into that layer of MDF, but actually penetrated all the way through it and popped out the other side and made a big dent in the next layer of MDF.




Notice that the arrow tip with the FOB on it penetrated better than the one with the Blazer vanes, because the vanes had to pull through the gel whereas the bare shaft just slipped right through.

After putting the FOBs through every test that I can think of, I was pleasantly surprised. Actually, I was borderline shocked by how well they performed. They passed every test I have.

fob arrow through ballistic gel

The FOB popped off the arrow, as advertised, when passing through the ballistic gel. It also penetrated the MDF board in the back of the setup.

fob penetration of mdf board

The arrow with the FOB on it penetrated the MDF board in the back after passing through the ballistic gel. The arrow with the blazer vanes passed through the gel, but landed without any penetration of the gel.

penetration of mdf with fob arrow

The arrow with the FOB on it passed through the ballistic gel and even penetrated the MDF board in the back. The arrow with the vanes didn’t even penetrate the MDF.

Pros and Cons of FOBs

Here is a summary of what I think are 7 pros and 7 cons to be aware of when considering using the “FOBs” from FOB Archery.

  The Pros:

installtion of fob

Installation of a FOB takes literally seconds.

  • Speed of fletching: You can fletch a dozen arrows in less than a minute instead of about an hour. And, you can do it in the field just as quickly.
  • Accuracy: FOBs are every bit is accurate as a 4-degree helically attached Blazer vane. That’s pretty darn accurate. So, I know that my vanes at a 4-degree helical vanes are more accurate than straight vanes and even more accurate than offset vanes at long distances. The FOBS group just as well.
  • Drift resistance: The FOBs are able to handle wind drift amazingly well. They are much less affected in a heavy crosswind than Blazer vanes or other vanes. That’s an important asset when you are bowhunting out West or shooting at long range.
  • Penetration: The superior penetration of arrows with FOBs surprised me. Because the arrow didn’t have the drag of the fletching, it just zipped through the ballistic gel and penetrated through a half inch of MDF. The arrow with the Blazer vanes did not stick into the MDF at all. That’s quite a bit difference in penetration. The lack of drag makes the difference. That was impressive.
  • Durability: I am very impressed with the durability of the FOBs. I shot them a couple hundred times. I’ve hit the FOBs with the tips of other arrows a number of times (they call this a “FOBinhood” when you stick one arrow inside the FOB of another arrow on the target). The FOB got a little dinged up at times but I have yet to break one. And, even when they are dinged up, they still work fine. TIP: If you are in a dry climate, you can soak the FOB in water, inside like a Ziploc bag or container for a day, they get even a little more pliable. This will help them become even more durable than they already are.
  • Quick Change Colors: Another little thing I like about them is that I can change colors without having to strip everything down off of a previous arrow and put on another one. I can just pop off the FOB and add a different colored one.
  • Ability to use arrows with bare shafts: Another strength of the FOBs is that you can use bare shafts. One of my best archery buddies, Shane Chuning, taught me that to always have a bare shaft in my target quiver so that I can test the tuning of my bow. This helps me test my own personal form. And, nothing reveals imperfections in form and tuning like a bare shaft. So, I always try to designate one arrow like that. With the FOBs essentially all your arrows can be bare shafts. You just pull that off and then you got bare shafts. You put the nock back in and you can tune a whole round of bare shafts and then put the FOBs on and shoot a whole round of fletched ones. So, that’s definitely a plus as well.

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The Cons:

So, now that I’ve covered the 7 advantages of FOBs, I’ll cover what could be considered disadvantages:

  • Must use a drop-away rest: To use FOBs, you must use a drop-away rest. They will not work with a prong rest, because the FOB won’t clear it. You also cannot use something like a whisker biscuit, as the FOB would come off as the arrow passes through it.
  • Cheek Interference: If your anchor point is way back, or at the back of your head, the FOB could catch your ear. That wouldn’t feel nice. Or, if you mash your arrow into your face, or have a large beard, you may have a problem using the FOBs. For me, the anchor point is not an issue with FOBs. With the way I anchor, I didn’t notice it, even with a heavy mask on that I use during cold weather. So, this may be an issue for you, depending on where you anchor.
  • “FOB Pinch”: Another con would be a “nock pinch” of sorts. Some individuals with really long draw length that shoot bows with a short axle-to-axle length could experience this. Because the FOB is so far back on the shaft, the string could pinch the top and bottom of the FOB at full draw. If that’s the case with you, the FOBs wouldn’t be right for you. FOB Archery is supposed to be coming up with a solution for this in the near future.
  • In-Flight Sound: Some individuals that have used the FOB say the sound is an issue. I compared them in flight to the sound of my 4-degree helical blazers, which are louder than straight or offset Blazers. To me, the FOBs sound about the same as the Blazers. I couldn’t tell a difference. I even tried a decibel meter, putting it a halfway down range to try to see if they pick up a difference. The decibel meter wasn’t sensitive enough to pick up any difference between the two. Honestly, I don’t worry about arrow flight noise. Instead, I worry about bow noise and human noise at the shot. My reasoning is that bugs are zipping around deer all the time. Birds are flying by. Leaves are falling. I don’t believe the arrow flight noise is an issue worth being concerned with and I’ve never had a problem with it during a hunt.
  • Finding Arrows: Another concern is from those who use lighted nocks. The thought here is that during a pass through shot, the FOB pops off, taking the lighted nock with it. So, you would find your nock easily enough, but not necessarily your arrow. If the arrow stays in the animal, well, you’re going to see it running off with a lighted nock as normal. One way to address this concern is to use a reflective wrap. And I find those just as effective as a lighted nock at finding your arrow because you shine a light on it and it lights up like a Christmas tree. I like to use a lighted nock for videoing, but a reflective wrap really helps you in finding that arrow. So, while some consider this a con, I do not.
  • Weight: Adding the FOB, makes an arrow heavier than using Blazer vanes by 8-10 grains. That’s very minimal in my mind. It’s kind of the difference between using a lighted nock or not, which doesn’t really affect my shooting accuracy unless I’m out well past 60 yards. In that case, I simply sight in my bow for lighted nocks, and the FOBs hit right where my lighted nocks hit. So, again, this “con” is a non-issue for me.
  • Cost: One other concern that people have expressed at times is the cost. I wondered about that too. So, where do FOBs fit in cost-wise? They are about $2.25 each. You get a 12-pack for $29. So, they are more expensive than just getting vanes and attaching them yourself. But, they are less expensive than paying a bow shop to attach your vanes. They are also less expensive than buying the shrink wrap vanes and putting them on.

If you do decide to purchase FOBs from FOBarchery.com, use code LUSK10 for 10% off!

Conclusion

In conclusion, I really like the FOBs. They passed every test I could think of. I’m ready to take them into the field!

For years, traditional archery has been married to the tried and true feathers and vanes. Let me know your thoughts or any questions you have on this alternative fletching in the comments below!




hiking boots at foot of mountain

Guys, Get On The Trail! | Best Hiking Boots For Men

Getting away from civilization and hiking is a fantastic way to experience the natural world.

Even hiking in concrete jungles can let you experience it in a unique way.

The most important tool necessary for making these experiences happen is your set of hiking boots.

man hiking in the mountains

There’s too much beautiful country to explore without making sure your feet are in a great set of hiking boots. Let’s check out a list of some of the best hiking boots for men!

Hiking boots are engineered to maximize the support and comfort your feet have when walking for a long time at once.

Best Hiking Boots For Men List

Normal sneakers and athletic shoes are not engineered for this type of travel, so specify your approach with a nice pair of hiking boots.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best hiking boots for men!

Merrell Moab 2

Merrell Moab 2

The Moab II by Merrell is a hiking boot that provides durability and comfort for the budget conscious.

First up is the Merrell Moab 2.

Merrell is a brand that boomed in popularity in recent years, so going with the Moab 2 is a steady choice. This is a super affordable boot that is great for those on a budget. In some cases, this boot will be half the price of a competitor.



This is a wide-fit boot, so if you have a narrow foot, this may be a bit too clunky for you.

The materials are durable and comfortable to provide a nice user experience for those who fit in them well.

There is also a low Moab model for those who do not want a higher boot.

A unique factor of the Moab is the wearability right out of the box. While many hiking boots require a few hours in them to fully break them in, Moabs are known to be very comfortable without much of that required break-in period.


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Salomon Quest 4

Salomon Quest 4 hiking boots for men

Although a bit heavy, the Salomon Quest 4 can tackle long treks with the best hiking boots in the industry.

One of the more expensive options on this list is the Salomon Quest 4.

They are built to last, so if your are a serial hiker, this may be the boot for you!

Salomon is an industry leader, and the boats by this company are top notch. The Quest 4 is for serious hikers that will tackle a lot of miles. However, if you’re just going to be taking one or two hiking trips, you might not feel you are getting your money’s worth out of these.


The Quest 4 is an overall great boot, because it is super durable and supportive of the ankle. It is a high boot that secures everything in place. They are a bit heavy, but this is also what helps them last so long.

This is a boot for long trips in rugged terrain. Even though you have to deal with that extra weight, you will be protected against the elements in a better way.


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Keen Targhee II

Keen Targhee II hiking boot for men

The Keen Targhee II gives good support to the ankle area and great waterproofing.

Similarly to Salomon, Keen is a mainstay brand in the outdoor footwear industry. Keen also makes work and leisure shoes, but the hiking boots are pillars of the brand and the market.

The overall best Keen boot for the price is the Targhee II. This is an excellent budget pair that still carries the weight of a top brand along with it.

The most common Targhee II is a mid boot, so it provides intermediate support to the ankle area. If you want an extra level of support, the mid option may not be the way to go.



This is also a waterproof hiking boot, so it adds an extra layer of protection as Keen products have great waterproofing.

Overall, the Targhee is very affordable and durable. It faults a little in rough terrain as it lacks a beefed up structure like some of the other options.

But, if you are a casual hiker, this is a great boot.


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Hoka One One Anacapa GTX

Hoka One Anacapa mens hiking boots

The Anacapa GTX is not only waterproof, but it comes in “untraditional” hiking boot colors.

One of the newer brands breaking into the scene in the West is Hoka.

Hoka is primarily a running shoes brand, but its recent offerings in the hiking space are of really good quality.

This brings us to the Anacapa.

The Anacapa is a hybrid boot in the sense that it brings the comfortability that a running shoe provides. This includes great padding and support to the heel and foot.



This is technically a “mid” boot, but it is quite high and provides really good ankle support. It is also waterproof thanks to Gore-Tex technology.

The main downside for some people is the look. This is not a traditional hiking boot and utilizes more color and an outward design.

So, if you want a little color in your hiking life, the Anacapa is an excellent option.



Timberland Chocorua Trail

Timberland Chocorua Trail Mens hiking boot

The Timberland Chocurua Trail leather hiking boot is built to last and sports waterproof leather.

Although Timberland has become a major fashion brand in recent years, thanks to their iconic yellow boots, this company still makes great hiking boots. The Chocorua Trail boot is one of the best hiking boots under Timberland’s umbrella.



This is an affordable boot that is made to last a long time. This is a leather boot, so it will take a bit longer to break in. However, the leather is waterproof, which is a nice perk.

If you are cool with hiking in these before your trip to break them in and are taking on pretty basic terrain, the Timberland Chocorua Trail is for you.



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Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex

Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex Mens hiking boot

The Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex hiking boot is lightweight, waterproof and breaks in quickly.



Salomon makes another appearance with the X Ultra Mid 4. This is a modern boot that is very lightweight and waterproof, thanks to Gore-Tex. This is a synthetic boot that breaks in very quickly.

The mid height provides decent support to the ankle, but if you need something more reinforced, Salomon has plenty of high-cut options.

This option is quite a bit cheaper than the Quest 4 that is also on this list. The midsole is not as beefy and focuses on being lightweight while capable of handling a majority of the terrain.



One unique aspect of the X Ultra Mid 4 is the ActiveSupport strap that keeps your foot and laces in place while walking. This strap is attached to the boot and connects with the middle of the laces.

So, when hiking or navigating off-trail terrain, this keeps your foot in a good position and your laces tight.

Overall, if you want something lightweight but still with good backbone, the Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 is calling your name.


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Final Thoughts On Best Men’s Hiking Boots

hiker sitting overlooking lake

Even feet in great hiking boots need to take a break so the mind can soak up the beauty and vastness of creation...

Ok guys, we hope this list has provided you with some helpful information on which hiking boots you should purchase.

Be sure to consider your terrain, frequency of hiking activity and conditions of your target destination.

Now, get out there and explore!

N1 Outdoors N-Tune nock tuning arrow wraps on arrows

That’s A Wrap! | How To Apply Arrow Wraps The Easy Way

Have you ever wanted to apply wraps to your hunting arrows but couldn’t get them on straight or just didn’t know where to start?

Well, if you are here, then you have probably decided you should use them!

Well, applying arrow wraps doesn’t have to be hard and you can do it too!


How to apply arrow wraps instructional video


Some bowhunters use wraps because they can make it easier to remove your vanes when re-fletching an arrow.

Others may like them because they like to have a white area on their shaft to be able to more easily see what type of blood is on the arrow in the event of a pass-through.

And, some just like fancy arrows, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

arrow wrap from N1 outdoors

You can apply arrow wraps easily and quickly in just a few simple steps…



So, I’m going to show you step-by-step how to apply arrow wraps to your arrow shafts. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

How To Apply Arrow Wraps [Easy Install!]

Time needed: 2 minutes

Here at N1 Outdoors, we are a little bit partial to the Just Pass’N Through through N-Tune Arrow Wrap, which help you tremendously in the nock tuning process. So, we’ll be using those in this example:

  1. Prepare your work surface

    Clear a fair amount of space on a flat, dry surface. You can use the N1 Outdoors Arrow Wrap Pads, a mouse pad, or thin hot pad, as it can provide some cushioning, which will help you be able to apply even pressure during the application process.

    flat surface for applying arrow wraps

  2. Remove arrow wrap from paper backing and lay down with adhesive side up

    Remove an arrow wrap from the paper backing. Do your best to only touch the very corner of the wrap, to avoid getting oil and dirt from your hands on the adhesive part of the wrap, which would reduce how well it sticks to the arrow shaft (you could use just your fingernail or even tweezers).

    adhesive side up

  3. Clean the bare shaft of your arrow

    You want to be sure that you clean the surface of your arrow’s shaft where you’re going to be applying the arrow wrap. Clean it with a denatured alcohol or acetone, (or you can simply use water, if you use the N-Tune Arrow Wrap Cloths.) Now, fingernail polish remover does have acetone in it, however it sometimes also has things like vitamin E and other chemicals and oils in it that could prevent the arrow wrap from adhering properly to the shaft. So, even though some of you really love your arrows, we promise vitamin E will not help your carbon arrow shafts! So, it’s a better idea to use denatured alcohol or acetone.

    nail polish remover

  4. Align the wrap properly with the arrow shaft

    Ensuring that the arrow wrap is not applied crooked is actually easy to do. Lay your arrow shaft down beside the wrap that you have laid down (adhesive side up) on the mouse pad/flat surface. Be sure that the shaft is parallel to the edge of the arrow wrap. Be sure the arrow shaft is close to the edge of the arrow wrap without touching it. This will help you in being sure it is lying parallel.

    align shaft parallel to arrow wrap

  5. Apply the wrap (roll)

    Once you have the arrow shaft parallel to the wrap, simply roll the shaft toward the wrap (while applying even, downward pressure to ensure that the entire shaft surface contacts the wrap). Be sure to apply firm pressure to the seam of the wrap so that you will get good adhesion. Now, you will have a perfectly applied arrow wrap! Now, you are ready to insert a nock and begin paper tuning your bare shaft!

    roll arrow shaft forward




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finshed arrow wrap on shaft

Your arrow shaft is now ready to be nock tuned and then fletched!



If you’ve got questions, you can leave those in the comments. We hope you will share this with people who might be interested and we hope you have an arrow this year that’s just pass’N through!

>> Click here to check out all the N1 Outdoors bowhunting and archery tees!