How to choose a bow: your first bow for beginners and kids
How do you choose a bow? Three things matter: draw weight based on age and strength, bow length based on your height, and material based on how often and where you'll be shooting. For a beginner, a weaker bow that lets you learn proper technique is better than a strong one you can't hold at full draw.
Below you'll find tables for draw weight and bow length, differences between bow types, and tips for kids' bows and LARP. We have all our bows gathered in the Bows category.
Types of bows for beginners
Traditional bows are perfect for recreational target shooting, wood-battles, and LARP. They lack sights and stabilizers, making them lightweight, easy to maintain, and ideal for instinctive shooting.
- Longbow is a straight bow modeled after English longbows. It's stable, forgiving of mistakes, and looks great at fantasy or historical events.
- Short bow is compact and suitable for kids, smaller archers, and wood-battles where you're running through the forest.
- Recurve bow has limb tips that curve forward. It gives the arrow more energy at the same length, making it shorter and more powerful. It's usually more challenging for absolute beginners.
- Laminate bow is the most durable and handles moisture and frost well. It's great for training and LARP where gear takes a beating.
Sport Olympic and compound bows with sights belong to a different discipline. If you're interested in competitive archery, visit an archery club first to try them out.
Bow material
The material determines how the bow shoots, how long it lasts, and how it looks.
| Material | Pros | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rattan | Lightweight and flexible, looks nice | Needs gentle handling and dry storage |
| Ash and other wood | Traditional look, comfortable grip | Slightly heavier, sensitive to moisture |
| Fiberglass | Most durable, handles harsh conditions | Looks less period-accurate |
A good compromise is a laminate bow with a wooden riser. The beech riser looks traditional, while the laminate limbs withstand rougher handling.
Draw weight: how to choose
Draw weight is the force required to pull the string to full draw. We list it in kilograms, but manufacturers often use pounds. A number on the bow, like "30", usually means 30 pounds, which is about 13.6 kg. One pound is 0.45 kg.
| Who is shooting | Recommended draw weight | In pounds |
|---|---|---|
| Kids 5–7 years | 2–4 kg | 5–9 lb |
| Kids 8–14 years | 5–8 kg | 11–18 lb |
| Teens | 8–12 kg | 18–26 lb |
| Women | 9–14 kg | 20–30 lb |
| Men | 11–16 kg | 25–35 lb |
This table is for beginners. If you can't hold the bow at full draw for a few seconds without shaking, it's too strong for you. Get a stronger bow once you've mastered the technique.
Bow length by height
A longer bow draws more smoothly, is more stable, and shoots more accurately. A shorter bow is more compact and suits smaller archers. Use your height as a guide:
| Your height | Bow length |
|---|---|
| Under 130 cm | Up to 110 cm |
| 130–150 cm | 110–135 cm |
| 150–170 cm | 135–150 cm |
| Over 170 cm | 150–175 cm |
For kids aged 5 to 7, an ideal choice is a kids' wooden bow with a length of 100 cm. For older kids and smaller archers, a short wooden bow (132 cm) works well.
Adults will appreciate the medium-length Ranger wooden bow (147 cm) or the Elf longbow (172 cm). Both have a draw weight of around 13.6 kg.
Draw length and arrows
The second important number is draw length—how far you pull the string. The easiest way to measure is to take your arm span in centimeters and divide by 2.5. With a 175 cm span, your draw length is roughly 70 cm.
The arrow should be a few centimeters longer than your draw length. A shorter arrow could fall off the bow during the draw. Additionally, every bow has a maximum arrow length you must not exceed, or you risk breaking the limbs. For a kids' bow, it's 40 cm; for a short wooden bow, it's 60 cm.
We cover how to choose the right arrow based on material and length in our guide How to choose an arrow. You can find arrows in the Arrows category.
Right-handed or left-handed
It depends on which hand you use to pull the string. A right-handed person holds the bow in the left hand and pulls with the right. Some bows have a cutout in the handle where the arrow rests. On a right-handed bow, it's on the left side; on a left-handed bow, it's on the right.
The cutout makes it easier for beginners to nock an arrow and protects the hand from being scratched by the fletching. If you're choosing a bow for a child or aren't sure which hand they'll use, pick a universal bow without a cutout, like the kids' wooden bow or the Dwarf short bow.
Bows for wood-battles and LARP
Since you're shooting at other players in wood-battles and LARP, there are strict rules. The maximum allowed draw weight is usually around 10 kg, and arrows must have padded heads. Always check the rules before an event; organizers often inspect bows.
For LARP, a shorter, compact bow and ready-made LARP arrows are best. If you want to make your own arrows, you'll need padded heads and a guide for safe construction.
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A bow is just the beginning. For your first shot, you'll also need arrows, an arm guard, and a target. You can find everything you need, how to take your first shot, and how to care for your bow in our guide Archery for beginners: gear and first steps.
If you want everything at once, grab a set. The Kids' archery set includes a bow, five arrows, targets, and an arm guard for kids aged 5 to 7.
Frequently asked questions
What bow should a beginner buy?
A weaker bow that you can hold at full draw for a few seconds. For adults, this is usually 9 to 16 kg depending on strength; for kids, 2 to 8 kg. Choose the bow length based on your height and the material based on where you'll be shooting.
How to choose a bow by height?
As a rule of thumb: up to 130 cm tall, a bow up to 110 cm; up to 150 cm tall, a bow 110–135 cm; up to 170 cm tall, a bow 135–150 cm; and for taller archers, a bow 150–175 cm. A longer bow is more stable and accurate.
What does the number 30 on a bow mean?
Usually the draw weight in pounds. 30 pounds corresponds to roughly 13.6 kg. One pound is 0.45 kg.
What bow is suitable for a child?
For kids aged 5 to 7, a bow about 1 meter long with a draw weight of 2 to 4 kg. For older kids, a short bow with a draw weight of 5 to 8 kg. Choose a universal bow for both right and left-handed shooters and always respect the maximum arrow length.
What bow is allowed for LARP?
It depends on the rules of the specific event. The maximum draw weight is usually around 10 kg, and arrows must have padded heads. Always verify the rules with the organizers before the event.