Best Arrows For Recurve Bow (Updated List)

The best arrows for a recurve bow were the Linkboy Archery Carbon Arrows. The shaft of these arrows is made from carbon, making them very durable and resistant to splintering. You have various spine numbers to choose from, and you can shoot it with a bow that has up to 75 pounds draw weight.

This guide will help you choose between 4 of the best arrow sets that you can use for a recurve bow. I cannot remember the number of times I went through the process you are now going through to buy arrows. This process gave me a lot of experience in purchasing the right arrows.

My main hobby is associated with compound bows, but I am also well versed with its recurve predecessor. I can also say that I have done thorough research on arrows for recurve bows and know what to look for and what to avoid. Below is a summary of some of the products that you can expect:

First, you need to understand why good arrows are as crucial as a good bow.

Why Good Arrows Are Important

There are two simple reasons you need to choose a good quality arrow suited for your bow and its purpose. Safety and accuracy should always be considered when selecting an arrow for your recurve bow.

Safety

In regards to safety, you need an arrow that will not break or snap that easily. It is essential to choose an arrow that is made from durable material, especially if you are shooting from a high-powered bow.

The arrow can splinter when snapped and who knows where some of the pieces will land. It is also not healthy for your bow when the arrows are constantly snapping or breaking.

Accuracy

You can have the best bow with all of the accuracy-inducing features, but you will be inaccurate without the right arrows. Do not let your poor choice of arrows bottleneck your shooting experience. There are many factors from arrows that can influence its accuracy.

The arrow spine, fletching, and weight can have a significant effect on its accuracy.

How To Choose The Best Arrows For Your Recurve Bow

Are you new to choosing arrows for your recurve bow? No problem, because this guide is here to help you out.

Arrow length

The most crucial factor that you need to consider before choosing an arrow is its length. The flight of the arrow will not be stable if it is too short, and you will also not be able to utilize your draw length potential to its fullest. If the arrow is too long for your bow, it will be less accurate. 

So, how do we find the ideal arrow length? 

We do this by figuring out your draw length and then add 1-2 inches to it. This will be the ideal length of the arrow that you should get. In the next section, I will show you how to find your draw length.

How To Find Your Draw Length?

Finding your draw length is easy and can be done without using your bow. All you need is a measuring tape, and you can even do this on your own. Start by grabbing the tip of the measuring tape starting from zero.

Extend both your arms to your sides until you have a “T” formation. Measure the distance from the tip of your fingers on your one arm to the other. This measurement is called your arm span measurement in inches.

Take the value that you got and divide it by 2.5 to get your draw length. Now that you have this value, you can add 1 or 2 inches to it to find your arrow length. 

Arrow weight

The best tip that I can give you here is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. The details on the arrow weight can be found somewhere on the bow or the operation manual. The arrow weight can influence your accuracy and penetration.

A lighter arrow tends to be more accurate and is better suited for target shooting. Heavier arrow is better at penetration and is better for hunting purposes. Choosing the arrow’s weight should also be kept in mind when you plan to add a broadhead to it at a later stage.

Durability

Stay away from arrows that will easily break or snap when shot. An arrow that breaks easily can lead to severe injuries that can be avoided. The arrow’s shaft is most prone to break, which is the leading quality factor.

Shafts made from carbon and aluminum are the best when it comes to sturdiness without compromising the arrow’s weight.

Fletching quality

Fletching is the vanes located at the backside of arrows. Its purpose is to make sure that the arrow is stable when in mid-air. Fletching can be made from various types of material that include feathers and plastic.

The best fletching is made from feathers but can be more expensive than its plastic counterpart. The type of fletching that you choose will depend on your budget.

Nocks

Nocks are the part of the arrow that comes into contact with the string of the bow. The nocks will be made from plastic most of the time. Some nocks are wider than others that allow you to nock an arrow at a faster rate. You can also come across nocks that glow in the dark.

Pointer or arrowhead

This part is going to be the tip of the arrow. Most arrows will come with a field point that is a sharp weighted piece that is commonly used in target shooting. 

Most arrows give you the ability to replace the field point with an arrowhead if you plan to hunt. There are many other types of arrowheads available on the market today.

Budget

Arrows are luckily not expensive and will also have a lower price point than most other items on your bow. Just because it is not that expensive does not mean that you now need to buy some cheap arrows that are low quality. Stay within your budget and make the right choice for your needs.

Purpose

Do you want to go target shooting? Then I would recommend buying an arrow that uses field points. If you would like to hunt with your arrows, I would prefer to get arrows with broadheads. You can also get arrows where you can change the tips to your needs.

Best Recurve Bow Arrows Review

In this section, I will give you 4 sets of arrows to choose from. I would recommend the Linkboy Archery Carbon Arrows as they are sturdy and are the best overall.

#1 Linkboy Archery Carbon Arrows (Best Overall)

• Length: 30/32”

It does not matter if you plan to hunt or shoot with a compound or recurve bow this arrow might work for you. It is heavily customizable, where you have more than enough options to choose from. To start, you can choose between 6 different colors to match your bow or style.

You can also choose between 8 different spine numbers that are calculated from the arrow length and your draw weight. The SP number (spine number) is used to make sure you choose the ideal arrow for your bow. You will get access to a table on the manufacturer’s website.

These arrows are made from carbon, making them very durable and suitable for almost all activities. The material makes the arrows strong enough for a 75-pound bow. Most people like to buy their arrows in bulk, so I prefer this product as it comes with a pack of 12 arrows.

To add to its customization, you can play around with the stainless steel arrow tips by replacing them with others. The arrows are also guided by turkey feathers which is the best that you can get. The plastic nock can also be turned so that you can align the arrow the way you want.

The verdict

These arrows are suited for all activities that include target shooting and hunting. You will buy them once and shoot with them for a long time. They are durable and can be fired by almost every type of bow if you chose the right set.

Cons: There was nothing to say here.

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#2 VNAKER Archery Carbon Arrow Set (Comes With Quiver)

• Length: 30”

If you do not have a quiver yet, then this set of arrows might be suitable for you. This set comes with a quiver that also matches the color of the set. They are also around 30”, making them ideal for recurve bows. You will also get 12 arrows in this set, making it a good option if you plan to buy in bulk.

You have 4 colors to choose from that range from black, blue, orange, and red. This set of arrows can also be used with a highly powered recurve bow. It can manage up to 60 pounds. The carbon shaft makes these arrows strong and suitable to withstand these highly powered bows.

The stainless steel field points can also be removed and replaced by other points such as broadheads. It has a spine of 450, making it easier to bend the shaft of the arrow. If the shaft is easier to bend, it can also withstand more force and are less likely to snap. A flexible spine also helps the arrow to travel more accurately.

The verdict

It is a good set of arrows that can withstand highly powered bows. It comes with a quiver if you already do not have one at home.

Cons: Not much to say here.

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#3 Fred Bear Lit’l Brave Arrows (Budget-Friendly)

• Length: 24”

This arrow set is ideal for those on a budget and has a shorter reach. Not all of us have long arms to give us a longer draw length. Some recurve bows are also stiffer and will result in a shorter draw length. If you are in one of these situations, you will be happy to know that these arrows are only 24” long.

These arrows are not that strong because they are made from fiberglass that tends to shatter on high impact. With such a low draw length, high-impact shots are less likely. You also do not get a lot of arrows are you are limited to only 3 per pack.

The verdict

This set of arrows is best suited for people with a shorter draw length. It is also budget-friendly, and the packs are limited to only 3 per pack.

Cons: These arrows are not very strong and will shatter when hit with high impact.

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#4 Gold Tip Lightning Arrows (Best For Youth)

• Length: 28”

The Gold Tip Lightning Youth Arrows are 28” long, making them suited for archers with a medium draw length. The shaft is created with carbon making the arrows very durable and lightweight. Arrows made with carbon do not shatter that easily and are also much safer to use.

You will also get this set in a pack of six, which is more than enough to get you started. This arrow set is also not that expensive, making it affordable for most people. The vanes are made from plastic and are 2.5” in length across the shaft.

This set already comes with the nocks and field points installed not to have to buy any of the extra accessories that come with it.

The verdict

This set is ideal for introducing this sport to your children or anyone that wants to start their journey in archery.

Cons: Cannot be used for hunting.

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Construction & Materials

It is a bad idea to waste your hard-earned money on arrows made from low-quality material. The last thing you need is for any of your arrows to snap or break. You can also hurt yourself if this event should happen. This section will give you some info on the materials used today in making the shaft of arrows.

Carbon

Carbon arrows are the go-to place for hunters and archers that want to participate in target shooting. They are more durable and very accurate. They are more accurate because of their lighter weight.

Fiberglass

If you are new at recurve bow hunting and just want to test out the water, I would recommend arrows made from fiberglass. They are inexpensive but will not last that long. 

The material is brittle and will not hold up against harder materials. Some people like to use arrows made from this material for bow fishing because the impact is much less.

Wood

The traditional wooden arrow was used for thousands of years by our ancestors, but can they still take a spot in this list? They are not expensive, heavy, and require more maintenance. The only problem that I have with a wooden arrow is that they cannot hand high-impact shots. 

This arrow is heavier, making it less accurate. The wooden shaft needs to be polished regularly and is cheaper to produce than its synthetic counterparts.

Aluminum

This type of arrow is durable and can handle a lot of punishment and impact. It is also safer to use because the shaft will not splinter or split. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is also heavier than most of the other arrows making it ideal for hunting.

Recurve vs. Compound Bow Arrows

The main difference between recurve and compound bow arrows is their use and purpose. Recurve bow arrows are best used for target shooting and tournaments because they are lighter in weight.

Compound bow arrows are best suited for hunting and require an arrow that can handle impact and penetration. Most compound arrows are also heavier, making them less accurate but better for penetrating the skin and organs of the animal.

FAQ

Q1: What type should I get?

The best type that I would recommend is either carbon or aluminum arrows. They will be the most durable and the safest to use. Neither of them is likely to shatter on impact.

Q2: What length is the best?

Your draw length will determine the arrow length. You can add 1-2 inches to your draw length to determine your arrow length. You can read one of the previous sections to learn more about how to measure your draw length accurately.

The Verdict

My #1 recommended arrows for a recurve bow were the Linkboy Archery Carbon Arrows. I loved these arrows because they are very durable, lightweight, and adjustable. You can use them for both a recurve and compound bow.

Choose arrows do not need to be that complicated, as I have given you some golden nuggets and tutorials in some of the sections above.

What were your favorite arrows, and what do you look for? What criteria do you go through when choosing them for your recurve bow?