Walk into a pro shop and ask for an insert. They'll hand you a Easton HIT. Ask for an outsert and they'll look at you funny. Ask for a half-out and half of them won't know what you mean.
These three designs solve three different problems. Using the wrong one costs you penetration, FOC, or shaft life.
HIT Insert (Hidden Insert Technology)
The HIT is the modern standard. The entire insert sits inside the shaft, flush with the front edge. The broadhead screws into the insert and the broadhead's ferrule butts against the shaft front.
How it works:
- Insert glues inside the shaft.
- Broadhead's threaded stud screws into insert threads.
- Broadhead ferrule contacts the shaft end (or a small collar).
What it does well:
- Aerodynamic. No external bulk to catch air.
- Light. The HIT is the lightest insert option for any given thread.
- Compatible with every modern broadhead.
What it doesn't:
- Hard hits transfer impact energy directly to the shaft front. Cracked nocks and split shafts on bone.
- Limited weight options. Most HIT inserts max at 50-75 grains.
When to use: target archery, whitetail, anywhere impact is into soft tissue or you've got a quality shaft that can take impact.
Outsert
The outsert (also called "overshaft") slides over the outside of the shaft. The shaft sits inside a metal sleeve and the broadhead threads into the sleeve.
How it works:
- Sleeve fits over the shaft exterior.
- Bonded with epoxy.
- Broadhead threads into the sleeve front.
What it does well:
- Maximum durability. The metal sleeve takes the impact, not the shaft.
- Heavy weight options. Outserts can go to 100+ grains easily.
What it doesn't:
- Not aerodynamic. The exterior bulk creates drag and a slight noise increase.
- Visible step in arrow profile (some hunters hate this aesthetically).
- Not compatible with all broadheads — ferrule diameter needs to match outsert.
When to use: trad archery, heavy hunting builds, anywhere you need maximum bone-impact durability and don't care about marginal aerodynamic loss.
Half-Out
The half-out is exactly what it sounds like — half the insert is inside the shaft, half is outside. The internal portion bonds inside the shaft. The external portion has the broadhead thread and provides forward weight and exterior protection.
How it works:
- Internal portion (usually aluminum or stainless) glues inside the shaft.
- External portion (the "out" half) sits flush against the shaft front and adds weight and protection.
- Broadhead threads into the half-out front.
What it does well:
- Best FOC builder of any insert type. The exterior weight sits well forward of the balance point.
- Impact protection. The external mass takes hits the shaft would otherwise eat.
- Heavy weight options without bulk. 200 grain half-outs are common.
What it doesn't:
- Slower arrow speed. The heavy weight is the cost.
- Spine weakening. Adding 100-200 grains up front shifts dynamic spine 1-2 full classes weaker.
When to use: heavy-FOC hunting builds, trad archery, big game where penetration matters more than speed.
The Decision Matrix
- Speed builds (300+ fps target): HIT insert, 16-25 grain.
- Whitetail hunting (260-290 fps): HIT insert with collar, 50 grain. Easton Match Grade or Iron Will Impact Collar.
- Elk hunting (270-290 fps, heavy arrow): Half-out, 75-100 grain. Iron Will Impact Collar at the heavy end or Ethics Half-Out.
- Trad / heavy FOC: Half-out, 100-200 grain.
- Big game pass-through priority: Outsert with heavy point. Ferrule diameter matters.
The Compatibility Question
HIT inserts and most half-outs accept any 8-32 threaded broadhead. Iron Will, Slick Trick, QAD Exodus, Magnus, all of them. This is the universal arrow-side thread.
Outserts can be 8-32 or proprietary. Some Carbon Express outserts use their own thread that limits broadhead choice. Check before buying.
Inserts also come in aluminum or stainless. Stainless is heavier and stronger. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper. Pick stainless if impact durability matters. Aluminum if weight tuning matters.
The Install Differences
HIT inserts install with insert iron or two-part epoxy. Square the shaft, push in, leave overnight.
Outserts require a tighter epoxy bond because the sleeve takes lateral force on impact. Use a high-strength two-part epoxy, not insert iron.
Half-outs are the most forgiving install. The internal portion bonds inside, the external mass sits flush. Square the shaft well — a non-square front face will make a visible step.
The Forge Side
The Forge has every insert from every major brand in its component database with weight, type, and recommended use case. You build the arrow and it tells you if your insert choice matches your hunting application. It also flags when your spine has been pushed too weak by insert weight.
The Honest Pick
If you're hunting whitetail with a tuned compound: Easton Match Grade HIT, 50 grain. If you're hunting elk: Iron Will Impact Collar, 75 grain. If you're going heavy-FOC for big bone: Ethics Half-Out, 100+ grain. If you're shooting trad: half-out at whatever weight your spine tolerates.
Pick the insert that matches the job. The wrong one costs you more than the right one ever does.