Archery Finger Tab: Types, Fit & Components

An archery finger tab is a small protective pad — leather or synthetic — worn on the draw hand to shield fingers from bowstring pressure during the shot. Unlike a shooting glove, a finger tab provides a flatter, more consistent string-contact surface, which is why most Olympic recurve archers rely on one. Knowing its components, available types, and how to size it correctly will help you choose the right recurve bow tab for your discipline.

Components of a Finger Tab

• Face material: The surface that contacts the bowstring. Cordovan leather is weather-resistant and very difficult to scuff — nearly all top-tier Olympic recurve archers use cordovan-faced tabs. Super leather mimics cordovan at lower cost but tends to be rougher and more flexible, which can affect release consistency. 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 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 appear across different 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 giving the archer a hard reference point under the chin at full draw — common in Olympic-style tabs.

Types of Finger Tab

Tab selection depends on your drawing style and discipline:

• Traditional tab: A flat leather patch with a raised ridge to separate fingers. Favored by traditional archers who prefer minimal equipment.
• Split-finger tab: 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, common in three-fingers-under styles used in compound and barebow disciplines.
• Adjustable tab: Features movable separators or a customizable plate, letting archers fine-tune fit for optimal release consistency.

Sizing and Break-In

A finger tab comes in left- and right-hand versions — always match your draw hand. Measure your middle finger length and palm width below the knuckles, then check the brand's size chart. A correctly fitted fingertab should fully cover your fingers without leather extending past the fingertips. Too small causes discomfort and inadequate coverage; too large can shift during the shot, introducing inconsistency.

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.