Archery Finger Tab: Types, Fit & Components

An archery finger tab is a small protective pad — usually leather or synthetic — worn on the draw hand to shield the fingers from bowstring pressure. Unlike a shooting glove, a finger tab provides a flatter, more consistent string-contact surface, which is why most Olympic recurve archers use one. Understanding its components and types helps you choose the right tab for your shooting style.

Components of a Finger Tab

Most finger tabs share the same core parts, though construction quality varies by model:

• Face material: The surface that contacts the bowstring. Leather is the most common choice, available in cordovan, super leather, and calf-hair varieties. Calf-hair faces are very slick when new but wear over time and are the least weather-resistant of the three.
• Plate (backing plate): A stiffer layer — plastic or leather — that covers the fingers and prevents the tab from folding under string pressure during the draw.
• Spacer: A thin insert between the plate and fingers that adds cushioning. Foam, gel, or neoprene spacers all appear across different tab models.
• Finger separator: Sits between the index and middle finger to keep them evenly spaced on the string and reduce nock pinching on the arrow.
• Platform (ledge): A rigid extension on the back of the tab that gives the archer a hard reference point under the chin at full draw — common in Olympic-style recurve tabs.

Types of Archery Finger Tabs

Tab selection depends on your drawing style and discipline:

• Traditional tab: A flat piece of leather with a raised ridge to separate the fingers. Favored by traditional archers who prefer minimal equipment.
• Split-finger tab: Designed for the Mediterranean draw, with a split about one-third down the leading edge so one finger sits above the nock and two below. Standard for Olympic recurve and barebow archery.
• Three-finger tab: Three separate finger slots for a secure grip. Used in three-fingers-under styles and common in compound and barebow disciplines.
• Adjustable tab: Features movable finger separators or a customizable plate, allowing archers to fine-tune fit for optimal release consistency.

Sizing and Break-In

Finger tabs come in left- and right-hand versions — always match your draw hand. Measure the width of your hand below the knuckles and your middle finger length, then verify against the brand's size chart. A correctly fitted recurve bow tab should cover your fingers fully without leather extending past the fingertips.

New tabs ship intentionally oversized. After a crease forms from a few shots, trim all layers in a crescent shape following your finger outline. The string-contact layer should be trimmed roughly one-sixteenth of an inch shorter than the backing layers so it sits flush when your fingers curl around the string. Some archers apply baby powder during break-in to help the leather become slick faster.