Michael van Gerwen is the most decorated active player in PDC history. Three world titles, 48 major victories, a record seven Premier League crowns, and a highest televised average of 123.40 that still stands as the benchmark for elite performance. When the most successful player of his generation changes his match dart, the darts world pays attention.
In late 2024, van Gerwen switched from the MvG ExAct—the barrel he had used since joining Winmau in 2020—to a new model developed over an extended period of collaboration with the manufacturer. The result is the Winmau MvG EvoX, and it has been his stage dart ever since, including his run to the 2025 PDC World Championship Final.
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Michael van Gerwen’s Complete Setup at a Glance
| Component | What He Uses |
|---|---|
| Darts | Winmau MvG EvoX, 22.5g, 90% tungsten |
| Flights | Winmau Prism Delta (standard shape) |
| Shafts | Winmau Vecta Short (Black) |
| Points | Standard steel-tip (stock) |
The Darts: Winmau MvG EvoX
The EvoX is a significant step on from the ExAct that van Gerwen used for the first four years of his Winmau partnership. Where the ExAct had a moderate ring groove grip rated at 3 out of 5 for intensity, the EvoX uses an entirely different surface treatment that Winmau call the Evo grip. It is more aggressive, more textured, and built for a player whose throwing style demands maximum consistency at maximum pace.
The barrel is parallel throughout—no taper at the front, no bomb shape at the rear. Van Gerwen has always favoured a straight profile, and the EvoX continues that preference. It is centre-weighted, which promotes a stable mid-flight trajectory, and the 53mm barrel length gives plenty of room to vary grip position without running out of real estate.
Specifications
- Weight: 22.5g (also available in 21g and 24g)
- Material: 90% tungsten
- Barrel length: 53mm (all weights)
- Barrel diameter: 6.25mm (22.5g)
- Barrel shape: Parallel (straight)
- Weight distribution: Centre-weighted
- Finish: Atomised (shot-blasted) with gold accents, black colourway
- Points: Standard 2BA steel-tip
| Weight | Length | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 21g | 53mm | 6.10mm |
| 22.5g | 53mm | 6.25mm |
| 24g | 53mm | 6.40mm |
The Grip
Winmau describe the Evo grip as an advanced milling pattern that combines ring grooves with an atomised, stone-effect texture across the full length of the barrel. In practice, this means the entire surface is working for you—there is no smooth section to drift onto, and no single grip zone the barrel is designed around.
This suits players who grip firmly and consistently. If you hold the barrel in the same place every time, the Evo grip will reward that with confident purchase on every throw. If your grip position varies, that same full-length texture can make it harder to feel where your fingers have landed. Independent retailers rate the grip intensity at around 4 out of 5—genuinely aggressive, though Winmau’s own product page pushes it to 5.
The Atomised Finish
The shot-blasted (atomised) surface is what gives the EvoX its distinctive matte texture. Unlike a smooth or coated barrel, the atomised finish adds micro-roughness to the tungsten itself rather than layering something on top. This means it won’t peel or wear through a coating—the texture is part of the barrel. The gold accents on the locking ring and rear section add a visual contrast to the all-black body, giving it a premium look that is restrained enough to stay on the right side of showy.
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The Flights and Shafts: Winmau Prism Delta
The EvoX set comes with Winmau’s Prism Delta flights in a standard shape, printed with van Gerwen’s signature black and green branding. The Prism Delta is an extra-thick flight at 100 microns—heavier and more durable than standard flights, which suits a player who routinely groups darts tightly in the treble bed. A thicker flight takes the impact of subsequent darts without splitting as quickly as a thinner alternative.
The standard shape is a deliberate choice for a player of MVG’s calibre. Standard flights produce more drag than slim or pear-shaped alternatives, which slows the dart’s descent and creates a more arcing trajectory. For a player throwing with pace and accuracy, that arc is predictable and easy to repeat. Players chasing a flatter flight path tend to move to smaller shapes—van Gerwen has no reason to.
The shafts included in the set are Winmau Vecta Short in black. The Vecta uses a locking flight system that grips the flight securely without requiring additional flight locks, keeping the setup clean and consistent between throws.
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Standard vs slim flights
Van Gerwen uses the full standard flight shape. If you are replicating his setup, make sure you select the standard Prism Delta rather than the pear or kite variants—the drag profile is quite different, and it will change how the dart lands.
The Winmau Partnership
Van Gerwen signed with Winmau in January 2020, announced within 24 hours of losing the PDC World Championship Final to Peter Wright. He had spent the previous eight years with XQ Max, using essentially the same barrel throughout—so the switch to Winmau represented a significant change in both brand and setup.
The initial deal was for five years. Following the commercial and competitive success of that partnership, Winmau confirmed a 10-year renewal, cementing one of the longest-running commitments between a manufacturer and an active player at the top of the game. The EvoX is the second signature model to come from that relationship, developed over months of collaboration between van Gerwen and Winmau’s product team.
For players who want to explore the wider MvG range without the EvoX’s premium outlay, Winmau produce several other models under the signature line at varying price points—including the ExAct (his previous match dart, still available), the Assault, and the Aspire at the entry level.
This article reflects Michael van Gerwen’s setup as of May 2026. Players do change their equipment, sometimes mid-season and without announcement, so if you spot something that has changed, feel free to let us know.
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