Arrows 101

Arrow Anatomy

Let’s get to know the parts of an arrow. The shaft is the body of the arrow. The nock clips onto the bowstring. The fletchings, located next to the nock, stabilize the arrow in flight. The tip is pretty obvious – it’s the pointy end of the arrow that sticks into the target.

Arrow Shaft Material

Carbon fiber’s strength and light weight make it a favorite arrow material for recreational and professional archers. Carbon is extremely durable, and returns to its original shape when it bends. That means your arrows stay straight no matter how much you abuse them. Manufacturers offer budget-friendly carbon arrows that are ideally suited to new archers.

*Safety Tip: During a hard impact, carbon arrows can sustain small cracks that aren’t visible without close inspection. If you miss the target or hit something hard, carefully inspect your arrow for damage. Then, flex it while listening for cracking noises. If your arrow makes noise or breaks, throw it out or turn it into an arrow pen.

Aluminum arrows are as straight and consistent as carbon arrows, but cost less. Their biggest downside? They aren’t as durable as carbon. Aluminum can bend from a hard impact or mishandling. But if you’re on a tight budget and take care of your arrows, aluminum is a great option.

Wooden arrows have been used for thousands of years. They’ve been employed to both hunt wooly mammoths and to wage wars, like the battle of Agincourt. There’s no denying the nostalgia of wooden arrows in a well-oiled back quiver. They embody archery’s romance and mystique.

Unfortunately, wooden arrows have some drawbacks. Wood can warp and is less consistent than other arrow materials. These arrows aren’t as durable as carbon or aluminum. But for some archers, the traditional feel and look of wooden arrows outweighs the negatives. If you’re a purist or just want to step back in time, give wooden arrows a try.

Fletchings

Fletchings stabilize the arrow in flight, and come in two basic materials: feathers and vanes.

Plastic fletchings are called vanes. Vanes are usually preferred for compound bows and modern recurve bows with an elevated arrow rest. Vanes are popular because they’re durable and waterproof.

Feathers are a great choice when you need maximum forgiveness and arrow stability. That’s why feathers are the choice for traditional archers and many competitive archers during indoor tournaments. When an arrow launches from a recurve or longbow, its fletching contacts the bow. Feathers are supple, so they flatten out of the way when contacting the bow, and don’t disrupt the arrow’s flight. Feathers are not waterproof, but can be made water resistant with powders and sprays.

The length and design of your fletchings are another consideration. In general, a shorter low-profile vane is a good choice for shooting outdoors and longer distances because they have less wind drift and less drag. A longer vane with a higher profile is a good choice for indoor archery or if you’re not shooting long distances outdoors.