Archery Gloves: Finger Protection for Recurve & Longbow

An archery glove, also called a shooting glove, is worn on the hand that draws the bowstring — the index, middle, and ring fingers — protecting those three fingers from the pressure, friction, and cumulative injury that bowstring tension causes on bare skin. Recurve and longbow archers rely on finger protection because they shoot without a mechanical release aid; compound archers, by contrast, use a trigger-based release and do not use gloves or tabs.

How Archery Gloves Are Built

Most shooting gloves cover only the fingertips rather than the full hand. These individual covers are called finger stalls. The contact surface is kept smooth and slick to reduce friction and support a cleaner release. Common facing materials include:

• Leather — durable and breathable. Cordovan leather, sourced from the hindquarters of horse hide, is especially slick, resistant to creasing, and widely recognized as a benchmark material for both gloves and finger tabs.
• Nylon-faced finger stalls — notably durable and slick, reducing friction for faster arrow speeds and cleaner releases.
• Synthetic fabrics (neoprene, polyester) — more flexible and moisture-wicking than leather, though generally less stiff at the contact point.

Some archer gloves include a wrist strap to keep the glove seated during the shot; others add reinforced fingertips or a padded palm for extended practice sessions.

Archery Gloves vs. Finger Tabs

Both protect the same three fingers, but they behave differently. With a glove, each finger interacts with the dacron bowstring individually, which can introduce small inconsistencies in draw-hand set and anchor point. A tab creates a single flat surface across all three fingers, making it harder for each finger to independently affect the string — a reason many recurve target archers prefer tabs when shooting with a sight under the chin. Shooting gloves are generally favored for traditional, instinctive-style archery where the anchor is on the cheek, and offer the practical advantage of keeping your hands free between shots.

Both are permitted under USA Archery traditional equipment rules, which allow finger stalls, gloves, and tabs for drawing the bowstring.

Sizing and Fit

For finger protection archery gear, fit matters directly to accuracy. Measure the widest part of your palm below the knuckles. A glove that is too tight restricts movement; one that is too loose can catch the string and disrupt the release. If you are between sizes, a slightly smaller fit is preferable — excess material forces your hand into an unnatural position and can shift your anchor point. Right-handed archers wear the glove on the right (draw) hand; left-handed archers wear it on the left hand.