As a beginner interested in archery, it can be difficult to know what equipment you should and shouldn’t buy. We’ve all been there, wondering where to start, but not exactly knowing what to do. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of quality-tested bow and arrow sets. We did all the hard work for you so that you don’t have to. Here are the best beginner bow and arrow sets for adults:
- Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow (Best Overall)
- Leader Accessories Compound Bow (Best Value)
- Genesis Original Kit (Most Basic)
Our 3 Best Beginner Bow And Arrow Sets for Adults
If you’re interested in purchasing any of these bows, keep reading below to see what we had to say about them. We’ve done extensive trials and research on these products because we want to give you a good idea of what to expect should you buy any of them.
1. Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow (Best Beginner Bow Overall)
Price: $
Draw weight: 30 – 55 lbs
Draw length: up to 29 inches (XL version available for more than 29 inches)
Specific features: right-handed bow, comes with premium arrows
The Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow makes the top in our list of the best beginner bow and arrow sets for adults for many reasons. For one, it’s a comprehensive set, but it doesn’t pack too much equipment. Therefore, it’s perfect for a beginning archer.
The package itself comes with a bow, a bowstring, an arrow rest, a stringer tool, an arm guard, and 3 carbon arrows.
Beyond the design of the bow, the greatest plus with this set is that it comes with its own case. Within it, there’s enough room for the bow itself, arrows, and a few other accessories. Not only does this make it perfect for travel, but it also means that you won’t have to go out and purchase a case. The only downside to this bow is that you’ll have to disassemble it every time you want to use the case. However, this isn’t necessarily something that would stop me from using it.
Overall, I would recommend this set to anyone who’s just getting into archery and perhaps even for those that are a bit more experienced.
2. Leader Accessories Compound Bow (Best Value)
Price: $
Draw weight: 50-70 lbs
Draw length: 25-31 inches
Specific features: comes with carbon arrows, available in 3 different sets and colors
The Leader Accessories Compound Bow is a bit more expensive, but it’s a much more comprehensive hunting set. It’s a better deal than buying all this equipment individually for two reasons. One, you’ll save money because it comes as part of a package. And, two, you’ll save time, because you won’t have to go through the trouble of buying all this equipment one by one.
That sounds great, but, of course, there’s a downside to buying such a large package. You may get some equipment that you don’t like or won’t use. Furthermore, you may also want to pick your own stuff, rather than have it be chosen for you.
Having said that, the wonderful thing about this pack is that it comes in three different sets that range in terms of how many accessories they have. The first set only comes with a bow. The second features a bow with a few arrows and accessories. The third set is the full package deal that you see in the picture above.
Overall, I would recommend the third set for someone who is looking for a set with a lot of features. The second package would probably be better for someone who is seeking less equipment but still wants a few archery accessories.
3. Genesis Original Kit (Most Basic)
Price: $
Draw weight: 10 – 20 lbs
Draw length: 15-30 inches
Specific features: left and right-handed options, available in 12 different colors
The Genesis Original is a pretty basic compound bow, but it’s perfect for beginners who aren’t yet ready to spend a ton of money on equipment. This is why it made on our list of the best beginner bow and arrow sets for adults.
A great thing about this bow is its low draw weight. The bow itself comes at 20 lbs, which most adults should be able to handle easily. This low weight makes it perfect for getting the basics of archery, like shooting and aiming, before moving on to more advanced shots and weights.
If you’re having trouble with the 20 lbs draw or if you just want to try something new, you can lower it even further to 10 lbs. This bow comes with a hex wrench that makes it really easy to adjust the draw weight.
In terms of what this set comes with, it is by far one of the simplest on this list. Though, this can perfect for beginning archers who aren’t ready to commit to so much archery equipment. This set comes with the basics: a bow, a belt tube quiver, an adjustable arm guard, 5 aluminum arrows, and a 3/16 inch hex wrench. It also comes with a manual to help you out if you’re not entirely sure how to work the bow.
What Is The Difference Between A Compound And Recurve Bow?
Compound and recurve bows are the most popular types of bows on the market. Compound bows were invented in the 1960s, making them more modern. They have a levering system, usually designed with cables and pulleys, to bend its limbs.
On the other hand, recurve bows were invented in around 1000 B.C. and have been popular for centuries. They are characterized by the limbs that curve away from the archer when unstrung.
Both of these bows are perfect for beginners because they come in a wide selection to choose from. From practicality to aesthetics, there’s a type of bow out there for everyone’s strength and experience level.
What Should You Know Before Buying the Best Beginner Bow Set?
The first thing that you should do before buying your best beginner bow and arrow set is to see what you like. Try out different bows because as a beginner, you’ll never know what you’ll love. Talk to more experienced archers and see what they recommend or if they can give you any helpful tips on what to buy. Don’t know where to find archery experts? Go to an archery club or just seek out a professional at an archery shop.
Obviously, don’t talk to just one person. Everyone has their own preferences, so talk to multiple people to get a general consensus of what works and what to look for.
Once you’ve talked to many people, not only will you have learned something, but you’ll be able to make an informed decision about what to do.
How Do You Find The Best Beginner Bow And Arrow Set?
The first thing that you want to look for in a new bow is the draw weight. The draw weight, usually measured in pounds, is how much you’ll need to pull to draw the bow.
To find the amount that works for you, try out different bows. If this is not possible, there are certain draw weight averages that you can rely on. Women, on average, will usually be able to pull about 30-40 lbs, while men, on average, will usually be able to pull about 40-50 lbs.
Of course, this varies by the individual. Some women may be able to pull more, while some men will only be able to pull less. It depends more on the individual fitness of the individual.
With this in mind, don’t worry about your starting point, because you’ll be able to work up as you get stronger. Just don’t get something that is difficult to pull back because you may hurt yourself and your accuracy will suffer.
The Importance Of Finding The Right Draw Length
It is important to get a bow that is close to your draw length. For example, if you get one that is too long, you will have to overextend your arm which will mess up your anchor point and degrade your accuracy. If your draw length is too short, then you’ll have to orient your body to compensate. You’ll have to move your shoulders, arms, or head into positions that will make your accuracy suffer.
How To Find Your Draw Length
Another thing that you want to look at is the draw length of the bow. To estimate your draw length, extend your arms to the side to form a “T” with your body. At this point, have someone measure the length from the tip of your middle finger to the tip of your other middle finger. Once you have this number, divide it by 2.5 and this should be your draw length, if not it should be very close to it.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about draw length, check out How to Measure Draw Length in Archery for some more helpful information.
