Bows for beginners & pros
Buy Bows at BogenSportWelt: Your Gateway to Archery
Whether you're picking up a bow for the first time or you've been shooting for years, choosing the right one makes all the difference. At BogenSportWelt, you'll find one of the largest selections in the German-speaking world. Recurve bows for sport shooters and Olympic fans, compound bows for precision enthusiasts, classic longbows and horsebows for traditional archers, and hybrid bows for those who want the best of both worlds. Not sure which type suits you? Try our Bow Finder: it asks a few targeted questions and recommends the right bow for you in just a couple of steps.
Which Bow Is Right for You? The Most Important Types at a Glance
Archery is one of the oldest sports in the world and has developed in many directions over the centuries. Today, there's an option for every shooting style, every level of ambition, and every budget. Choosing the right type is the first and most important step.
Recurve Bows: The All-Rounder for Beginners and Competitive Archers
The recurve bow is the most popular choice in archery. Its distinctive curved limb tips transfer more energy to the arrow at the same draw weight than a straight longbow. Take-down recurve bows are ideal for beginners: you can swap out the limbs as your skills progress, gradually increasing draw weight without buying a whole new setup. The recurve is also the only type used at the Olympic Games.
Compound Bows: High-Tech Meets Precision
Compound bows work on a completely different principle from traditional designs. Cams at the ends of the limbs create a let-off effect: at full draw, you only hold 20 to 30 percent of the draw weight, while the full energy is transferred to the arrow. This allows for relaxed aiming and very high arrow speeds. Compound bows suit archers who enjoy technical setups and are aiming for maximum accuracy.
Longbows: Pure Tradition
The longbow is the most original form of the bow: straight limbs, no technical frills, pure skill. Typical lengths range from 66 to 70 inches, usually matched to the archer's height. You aim instinctively, without a sight, and develop a feel for your equipment that no modern gadget can replace. The learning curve is steeper than with a recurve, but the challenge is part of the appeal.
Hybrid Bows: The Best of Both Worlds
Hybrid bows combine elements of the recurve and the longbow in a single design. The reflex-deflex limb geometry creates a smooth, even draw, minimal hand shock, and a quiet shot. Arrow speeds of 165 to 180 fps make them more powerful than a classic longbow, and they're particularly attractive for 3D field archers and traditionally minded shooters.
Horsebows: Compact, Powerful, Historical
Horsebows have their roots in mounted hunting and the war bows of the steppe peoples of Asia. Their characteristic features are a very compact build, often under 50 inches, and a strongly recurved shape. Today they're valued above all by traditional archers and fans of historical designs, demanding a different technique and offering a unique character all their own.
Getting Started the Right Way
The most common question from beginners is which bow to start with. The clear recommendation from most archery associations and experienced coaches is: start with a three-piece take-down recurve bow. It's forgiving, technically manageable, and allows you to begin with a low draw weight that grows with your skills. As a beginner, 20 to 28 pounds is a solid starting range. Starter sets combine bow, arrows, and essential protection in one package and are available from around 100 to 200 euros.
Essential protective gear includes an arm guard and finger protection. The arm guard protects your forearm from the snapping bowstring, especially while you're still developing your technique. A finger tab or shooting glove protects the drawing hand from strain. Both are available for just a few euros and should be standard from the very first session.
Bow Hunting, Bow Making, and Specialist Disciplines
For those who want to explore every side of archery, BogenSportWelt has the right range for specialist interests too. Our bow hunting category is aimed at archers who want to combine their sport with the hunting tradition. Bow hunting is illegal in Germany but permitted in many other European countries. If you'd rather build your own or carry out repairs, our bow making section has everything you need, from stave blanks to complete material kits and courses.
Safety in Archery: The Most Important Ground Rules
In Germany, a bow is not classified as a weapon and is not subject to weapons law. However, arrows fired from even a modest draw weight can cause serious injury if used carelessly. Anyone who takes the basic safety rules seriously from the start protects themselves and others.
- Never point your bow at a person or animal.
- Before every shot, make sure the shooting lane and the area beyond the target are completely clear.
- Never dry-fire: releasing the string without an arrow can damage the equipment and injure you.
- Check your bow, string, and arrows for damage before every session.
- Children should never shoot without adult supervision.
- Only retrieve arrows after a clear signal that all archers have finished shooting.
The Full Range at a Glance
At BogenSportWelt you'll find the right model for every shooting style and every level. Browse our categories and find what suits you:
- Recurve bows: The classic choice for beginners and Olympic sport archers
- Compound bows: High-tech for maximum precision
- Longbows: Tradition and pure skill
- Hybrid bows: Smooth, quiet, and powerful
- Horsebows: Compact and historically inspired
- Hunting bows: Built for hunting and fieldwork
- Starter sets: Everything you need to get going
- Bow making: Materials and courses for building your own
Browse Our Range
From affordable beginner kits to high-performance competition setups, BogenSportWelt has everything in one place. Browse our categories, let our Bow Finder point you in the right direction, or get in touch with our team directly: we're happy to help you find the right fit.
FAQs
Which bow is best for beginners?
Most coaches and archery associations recommend a three-piece take-down recurve bow. You can swap out the limbs and increase the draw weight as your skills develop, without needing to buy an entirely new setup. A good starter set costs between 100 and 200 euros and includes everything you need to get going.
What types of bows are there and how do they differ?
The main types are recurve, compound, longbow, hybrid, and horsebow. The recurve is the most versatile and widely used. Compound bows use a cam-and-cable system to create a let-off, making it much easier to hold at full draw. The longbow is the most traditional type, with no technical aids. Hybrid bows combine the look of a longbow with higher performance. Horsebows are very short and designed for instinctive shooting without additional equipment.
Is a bow considered a weapon?
No. In Germany, a bow is classified as sports equipment, not as a weapon under the Weapons Act. You do not need a firearms licence or any special permit to buy or own one. This applies to all bow types.
What draw weight should I choose?
That depends on your physical condition and training goals. For beginners, a draw weight between 20 and 28 pounds is a sensible starting point. Too much weight leads to faster fatigue and makes it harder to develop clean shooting technique. As your strength and skill improve, you can increase gradually.
Where can I shoot?
Since a bow is classified as sports equipment, shooting on your own property is generally permitted as long as the shooting lane is safe and no arrow can leave your property. For beginners, the range at a local archery club is the safest and most practical option, offering professional guidance and proper infrastructure.
How much does archery cost?
A solid starter kit is available from around 100 to 200 euros. Add arrows, protective gear, and if applicable, club membership fees. For a convenient entry into the sport, check out our starter sets, which combine bow and essential accessories in a well-matched package.