Archery Equipment: Major Categories Explained

Archery equipment refers to the full range of gear used to shoot a bow — from the bow itself and its arrows to the accessories that improve accuracy, protect the archer, and carry kit to the range or field. Understanding the major categories helps any archer, beginner or experienced, make informed decisions about what they need.

Bows

Three main bow types are recognised in competitive archery. The recurve bow is the style used at the Olympic Games; its limbs curve away from the archer at the tips, storing and releasing energy efficiently. The compound bow, developed in the 1960s and recognised by World Archery in the 1990s, uses a system of pulleys and cams to reduce holding weight at full draw and transfer energy more efficiently to the arrow. The barebow is mechanically identical to a recurve but is shot without sights or stabilisers.

Arrows

Arrows must be matched to the bow in both length and spine — the measured stiffness of the shaft. Easton Archery defines static spine as the deflection of a 29-inch shaft supporting an 880-gram weight at its centre; the lower the spine number, the stiffer the shaft. An incorrectly spined arrow produces erratic flight and poor grouping. See how bows and arrows work together for a deeper look at this relationship.

Sights, Rests, and Releases

Compound archers typically use magnifying sights and mechanical release aids, which contribute to the format's reputation for precision. An arrow rest supports the shaft during the shot and is fitted to the riser of the bow. Recurve archers use finger tabs or gloves instead of mechanical releases.

Protective and Auxiliary Gear

Core protective archery equipment includes the arm guard, which shields the forearm from string contact, and the chest guard. Wrist slings keep the bow from falling after the shot. A bowstring is a consumable component that affects both draw weight and brace height and must be replaced periodically. Draw length is one of the most critical personal measurements in archery, directly influencing bow fit and arrow selection.

Carrying and Storage

Once a setup is assembled, protecting and transporting it becomes its own equipment category. Bow cases, archery backpacks, quivers, and arrow tubes are the primary options — ranging from soft bags for local club use to rigid airline-approved roller cases for competition travel. Legend Archery's range focuses specifically on this category: bow cases, recurve and compound archery backpacks, quivers, arrow tubes, armguards, wrist slings, bow stringers, and related carrying accessories.