What Kind Of Arm Guard Is Best For Archery?

Archery is an ancient sport that requires a precise shooting technique and properly tuned equipment. A common piece of protective equipment worn by archers is the arm guard -- designed to protect the inside of the arm that holds the bow. The first arm guards were worn by the Navajo tribe and made from simple pieces of leather but today's arm guards have evolved into specialized pieces of equipment designed for archers of any shooting level or archery application.

Beginners

Beginning archers typically start with basic equipment and poor shooting form. As a result, they may need additional padding on their arm guard. The padding provides extra protection to prevent any cuts or scratches during practice sessions. As you build confidence and improve overall shooting technique, you can gradually decrease the amount of padding on the arm guard.

Bowhunters

Bowhunters commonly hunt in extreme weather conditions that require bulky or insulated clothing. At times, this clothing can interfere with the bow string after the shot that ultimately affects the accuracy of the arrow. To prevent the clothing from interfering with the shot, bowhunters wear a specific arm guard that fits over insulated coats, heavy sweaters or rain jackets and compresses the bulky materials. These arm guards commonly slide over the clothing without any buttons or clips.

Size

Sizing of an arm guard is essential for proper protection without affecting shooting technique. For example, a youth shooter requires a small arm guard that fits properly on the forearm. Similarly, females may require an arm guard with elastic straps that allow for adjusting the overall diameter of the arm guard to fit the forearm. As a general rule, a properly fitted arm guard should be about 1 to 2 inches longer than half the distance from your wrist to elbow.

Materials

The first arm guards used by archers were made from simple pieces of leather. But through the years, arm guards have evolved into specialized pieces of equipment. The best arm guards have a soft, flexible body for comfort along with solid backing to prevent the bow string from slapping the forearm. The arm guards will also feature quick-release buckles for easy on-off along with elastic or nylon straps for a secure fit.