Determine which arrows will work best for your next archery or hunting event.

With so many options available for choosing arrows, where do you start? Let’s start by choosing the material of the arrow. The most popular materials are usually carbon, wood and aluminum. They each have their own place in the world of archery, but below I will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each of them:

Coal

Carbon arrows are very light and have the least amount of stiffness among the three. Unlike wooden arrows, these won’t break as easily, but be careful as they can splinter. The biggest advantage of carbon is its high tolerance and consistency. Its toughness comes from its carbon composite, which allows it to take a bit more hits. Buying carbon arrows in the future becomes easier to create consistency when you find the right configuration of spine, length and weight. If you are looking for an arrow with more penetration to take down larger game, there are heavier carbon arrows on the market.

Aluminum

Aluminum arrows are slightly heavier than carbon arrows. They are less likely to break and do not splinter. Aluminum arrows have been around for a long time and offer a great affordable option for a strong, deep penetrating arrow. They are easier to cut to size than carbon, allowing you to fine tune your arrows for pure arrow flight. One disadvantage of aluminum is that they are more prone to bending and in most cases a bent arrow cannot be salvaged.

Wood

The first version of archery arrows belong to wooden arrows. I don’t know about you, but when I think of wooden arrows, my mind immediately goes to Robbin Hood. They are the traditional archery arrow that has been used since the beginning with longbows and recurve bows. Of the three different types of arrows, wood is the cheapest, because they are less durable and need more attention than the other options. Any shot that hits the ground or looks at an object or target can cause it to bend or break. Another difference from wooden arrows is that they use feathers instead of plastic streaks, which makes them less durable. Its weight is determined by the type of wood with which its handle is made.

Now it’s up to you to determine which of these arrows will best suit your situation. If you are using them for target shooting, you will generally want a lighter arrow that gives you distance and a flatter trajectory. If you are preparing for a hunt, a heavier arrow will provide more power to your broadhead and deeper penetration. Either way, taking your time finding and adjusting your arrows will have a huge impact on your success. Head to your local archery store and have some fun!