Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman
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Maybe you’ve seen your favorite superhero on the big screen slinging arrows in rapid-fire, or perhaps you’ve been watching competitive archers or bowhunters and want to get started in the sport of archery.
Having your gear for a game like archery is always good because your practice will go farther when you continually practice with the gear.
Bows and all the associated archery equipment are readily available online. But, for new archers, buying equipment online can be daunting when you don’t know which parts are best for you.
So, can you buy a bow online?
There are several e-commerce sites where you can pick up a quality bow online, and usually, you will spend less than buying it in a store. However, before you jump online to buy, there are a few things you are going to want to know. First, you need to know what kind of archery suits you.
Are you looking to start bowhunting/fishing, or are you more interested in target shooting and 3D archery? This will help you pick your style of bow. Next, you need to know your draw weight and length. Calculating draw length is easy at home with a buddy and some measuring tape.
Now that you know about some of the considerations, let’s take a more in-depth look to help you choose the right bow for you.
In this post, we'll cover:
Which Type of Bow to Choose
There are several different types of bows; they all function a little bit differently and have various applications.
Compound bows
Compound bows are the most common for hunting because of all the technological advancements (strings, pulleys, and build materials) that help archers draw more weight.
This is the amount of pressure you have to use to pull the bow back. Higher numbers mean you have to pull more weight back. However, this translates to more power in the shot.
These bows are compact, powerful, and excel in accuracy. They are excellent for hunting, but competitive archers also use them.
As a beginner, you want to choose a compound bow that has a wide range of adjustable resistance. This will allow you to start with lower draw weights and then increase them as you strengthen your back and shoulder muscles.
Compound bows are generally more expensive and are far more complicated to maintain than their simpler counterparts.
Recurve bows
Recurve bows are a more traditional style bow. This type of bow is used in most competitions, including the Olympics. If you want to get into barebow, traditional, or Olympic-style archery, this is the bow style you need.
You can use a recurve bow to hunt small game, but most bowhunters will choose the compound bow.
Recurve bows have come a long way from the single piece of wood and string construction.
They have three main components—the riser, and the central shaft, where you load the arrow and grip the bow. Coming off the top and bottom of the bow are the limbs, which are the part of the bow that bends as you pull back on the string.
Most modern recurves are takedown recurve bows, which means that the limbs detach from the riser allowing you to swap them out.
Keep in mind that there are several different attachment systems for limbs and risers, and when swapping them out, you need to ensure you get parts that use the same attachment system as you currently have.
Longbows
Longbows are what most of us picture when we think of Robinhood. This classic bow style is longer than the recurve, which can be more forgiving for beginners as there is less chance of sideways movement in the string upon shot release.
These bows have straight limbs as opposed to the curve in the recurve. This means that they produce less power than a recurve.
These bows are used almost exclusively for target shooting.
Takedown longbows are available but not nearly as universal as takedown recurves. Due to their length and inability to be taken apart, they can be harder to transport and store than a recurve.
If you are unsure what to choose, you can take a trip to your local shop to try them. You could also visit a local archery club or take an introductory lesson that lets you try different bow styles.
Draw Weight
Draw weight is the amount of force needed to pull back the bowstring to full draw. It is measured in pounds; the higher the poundage, the more power you will need to draw the string back. Choice of draw weight is a personal matter and depends on your body and level of fitness.
For beginners, you want to start low and work your way up as you practice and train your muscles.
Side note: drawing and releasing a shot on a bow requires coordination of muscle groups that you do not use in day-to-day life. As such, when you are starting your archery adventure, you want to start with lower draw weights and work your way up to avoid injury, even if you are physically fit.
This is true, no matter what type of bow you choose. If you want to get a head start on training, check out our article on building your strength and conditioning for archery.
You can always go into a shop and try different draw weights to see what is most comfortable. Remember, you will have to draw several times over a single archery session, so pulling a full draw should be relatively easy.
Here is a quick guide to drawing weights assuming average strength for age and sex:
- Adult male: 22–28 lbs for recurve bows, or 40–50 lbs for compound bows.
- Adult female: 16–26 lbs for recurve bows, or 30–40 lbs for compound bows.
- Teens (13–18): 12–16 lbs for recurve bows, or 14-22 lbs for compound bows.
- Kids (8–12): 10–14 lbs recurve bows, or 10–22 lbs compound bows.
Compound bows are higher weights because the series of pulleys help the archer pull and hold the draw weight. Thus, you will find you can pull a heftier load on a compound bow.
Proper Draw Length
Even if you plan to buy your bow online, you will likely want to take a trip to a pro shop. When you go, an expert salesperson can talk you through all these same decisions we discussed here to feel confident you are purchasing the right type of bow.
Although our draw length calculator will be accurate to 1/4 – 1/2 an inch, they can precisely measure your draw length for you so you can begin shooting more comfortably.
You will also be able to try the different types of bows and see which one sparks joy in your archer’s heart.
Accessories
Now that you’ve got the bow, you are going to need some accessories. Each of these is worthy of its own post, and we have many great articles on these topics. But here are a few pieces of equipment to keep in mind when getting started:
- Arrows (this is a far more complicated topic than most people think)
- Gloves or Finger Tabs
- Arm Guard
- Release mechanism (generally used with compound bows)
Final Considerations
There is one critical piece of information you might not yet be aware of regarding bow warranties. Almost all of the prominent manufacturers offer warranties on their bows, including Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, and PSE Pro Series.
However, virtually all those companies require you to purchase the bow from an authorized retailer and be the original bow owner.
These requirements mean the warranty will be void if you buy a second-hand bow. Also, most e-commerce sites are not authorized retailers, so if you are purchasing a bow online, you will likely be passing up the chance for a manufacturer warranty on your bow.
Buying a bow online can be a great option, especially if you are on a tight budget. Decide on your bow type, then figure out your draw weight and length. Order your bow and any accessories you need, then get to practice with your new kit!
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.