In archery, the draw weight of the bow plays a crucial role. It affects the shooter's control and precision and can also influence physical strain and fatigue. Therefore, it is important to find the right draw weight for the individual archer in order to shoot both technically clean and safely.
Draw weight basics
Draw weight refers to the force required to pull the bow's string to a specific point, called the anchor point. This weight is usually expressed in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg). The abbreviation lb stands for the Latin word "libra", which means "pound" in German. The plural form "lbs" is used in the American region.
Recommendations for different bow types and shooters
Draw weights for men for longbow and recurve bow:
- Youth to age 12: 14-20 lbs (6-9 kg).
- Casual sportsmen: 20-28 lbs (9-13 kg)
- Athletic men: 28-32 lbs (13-15 kg)
- Active athletes: 32-40 lbs (15-18 kg)
Men's draw weights for compound bows:
- Youth to age 12: 34-40 lbs (15-18 kg).
- Casual athletes: 40-48 lbs (18-22 kg)
- Athletic men: 48-52 lbs (22-24 kg)
- Active athletes: 52-60 lbs (24-27 kg)
Draw weights for women for longbow and recurve bow:
- Youth to age 12: 10-16 lbs (5-7 kg).
- Casual athletes: 16-24 lbs (7-11 kg)
- Athletic women: 24-28 lbs (11-13 kg)
- Active female athletes: 28-34 lbs (13-16 kg)
Draw weights for women for compound bows:
- Youth to age 12: 30-36 lbs (13-16 kg).
- Casual athletes: 36-44 lbs (16-20 kg)
- Athletic women: 44-48 lbs (20-22 kg)
- Active female athletes: 48-54 lbs (22-25 kg)
These figures are guidelines only. It is recommended to first opt for a lower draw weight in order to shoot technically clean before moving to a higher draw weight.
Determining the individual draw weight
If you want to determine the exact draw weight, you can do this with a spring balance. The spring balance is hooked into the string below the arrow. Then pull the bow with the spring balance to the anchor point. The read result indicates the draw weight. It is recommended to take about three measurements to get an accurate result.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that the choice of draw weight depends not only on physical ability, but also on the shooter's technique and experience. An experienced trainer or dealer can provide additional advice to find the optimal draw weight for the individual.
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