Recurve Bows

Recurve bows are the most versatile bows in modern archery, suitable for beginners and Olympic competitors alike. Our range at BogenSportWelt includes entry-level models, high-performance competition bows, and modular systems for every requirement. Find your perfect recurve bow and start your next archery adventure with the right equipment.
Sport Bows & Sets

Sport Bows & Sets

ILF Bows

ILF Bows

Traditional Bows & Sets

Traditional Bows & Sets

Riser

Riser

Limbs

Limbs

Packages (Sets)

Packages (Sets)

Recurve Bows %

Recurve Bows %

Our Best Sellers
Standard Item name from A to Z Item name from Z to A Price in ascending order Price in descending order Weight SKU Release date Newest first GTIN Bestsellers Reviews
orderable 211 products found
Antur Archery 12 products found
Bear Archery 9 products found
BEARPAW PRODUCTS 12 products found
Beier 6 products found
Big Tradition 2 products found
Bodnik Bows 6 products found
BogenSportWelt Special 11 products found
BSW - BogenSportWelt 5 products found
Buck Trail 4 products found
C.V. EDITION by SPIDERBOWS 7 products found
CORE 2 products found
DRAKE Archery 24 products found
DRAKE Archery Elite 14 products found
EXE 1 products found
Falkenholz 3 products found
Hoyt 1 products found
JACKALOPE ARCHERY 57 products found
Mandarin Duck 1 products found
Oak Ridge 4 products found
RAGIM 13 products found
Rolan 2 products found
SAMICK 1 products found
Sanlida Archery 2 products found
SPIDERBOWS 11 products found
White Feather 9 products found
10 lbs
12 lbs
14 lbs
15 lbs
16 lbs
18 lbs
19 lbs
20 lbs
22 lbs
24 lbs
25 lbs
26 lbs
28 lbs
30 lbs
31 lbs
32 lbs
34 lbs
35 lbs
36 lbs
37 lbs
38 lbs
40 lbs
42 lbs
43 lbs
44 lbs
45 lbs
46 lbs
48 lbs
49 lbs
50 lbs
52 lbs
54 lbs
55 lbs
56 lbs
58 lbs
60 lbs
62 lbs
65 lbs
13 inches
15 inches
16,5 inches
17 inches
19 inches
20 inches
21 inches
22 inches
23 inches
24 inches
25 inches
28 inches
38 inches
40 inches
48 inches
50 inches
52 inches
54 inches
55 inches
56 inches
58 inches
60 inches
62 inches
64 inches
65 inches
66 inches
68 inches
70 inches
Aluminium
Aluminium/Magnesium
Plastic
Wood (multi-piece)
Wood (one-piece)
Ambidextrous
Left-handed
Right-handed
Fast-Flight suitable
Hoyt Dove Tail 1 products found
ILF system 23 products found
JLS system (screw-on limbs) 4 products found
Screw-on limbs 93 products found
SWS system (screw-on limbs) 5 products found
One-piece 77 products found
Take-down (three-piece) 124 products found
Bestseller 42 products found
Special offer 78 products found
New in product range 1 products found
Top rated 83 products found
€
€
219 Items found.
36 72 108 144
219 Items found.

In a nutshell

  • Types: Four builds, sporty entry-level recurve (68 to 70 inches), Olympic recurve (distances up to 90 meters), traditional recurve (58 to 62 inches), and compact hunting recurve.
  • Build: Three-piece take-down bows use the ILF system, limbs from different manufacturers fit compatible risers, a new pair of limbs costs 50 to 300 euros.
  • Draw weight: Beginners start with 20 to 24 pounds (women) and 22 to 28 pounds (men), increasing by no more than two pounds per month.
  • Bow length: 68 inches suits body heights of 165 to 185 cm and draw lengths of 26 to 29 inches, go longer when in doubt.
  • Accessories: An armguard and finger tab are essential from day one, a sight, button, stabilizers, and clicker follow as skill grows.
  • Cost: A solid first setup runs 200 to 350 euros, an ILF setup with a quality riser runs 500 to 700 euros.

Buy a Recurve Bow, the Classic of Archery

The recurve bow is the most popular and versatile bow type in the world. Whether you are just starting out, have been shooting at a club for years, or have Olympic ambitions, there is a recurve for every shooting style and every level. What all models share is the characteristic shape, where the tips of the limbs curve forward away from the archer. This reverse curve gives the bow its name and its key technical advantage. Compared to a longbow, it transfers more energy to the arrow at the same draw weight and therefore releases with less hand shock. Alongside recurve bows, you will find every other bow type from compound to horse bow in our Bows category.

The Different Types from Entry-Level to Olympic Setup

The recurve bow is incredibly versatile and multifaceted; whether it’s a traditional one-piece bow, a modular take-down bow, or a modern Olympic bow—every recurve has its own unique characteristics, and Thomas will explore these in a new series. Every recurve bow is defined by its curved limbs. But what exactly makes them special?! Thomas explains it by comparing the draw curves of recurve and longbows.

Recurve bows are not a single, uniform category. The differences lie in construction, bow length, and the accessories you can mount. At BogenSportWelt you will find the full spectrum in our subcategories Sport Bows and Sets, Traditional Bows, and ILF Bows.

Sporty Entry-Level Recurve

This is the bow you will find at most archery clubs. Typical specs are 68 to 70 inches in length and a three-piece build with detachable limbs. It is forgiving, can be fitted with a sight, arrow rest, and stabilizers, and grows with your skill through a simple limb swap. It is the first choice for anyone who wants to take up the sport seriously. Ready-made sport bow sets bundle everything you need to get started.

Olympic Recurve

The Olympic recurve is the high-tech variant in the recurve range. It features a metal or carbon riser, a sight for precise aiming at long distances, long and side stabilizers, and a clicker for a repeatable draw. These bows are built to World Archery regulations and designed for distances up to 90 meters (about 98 yards). They are made for committed competition archers, not for beginners.

Traditional Recurve

The traditional recurve deliberately goes without technical accessories. You aim instinctively or over the arrow point, without a sight. Typical builds run from 58 to 62 inches and are often made from wood laminates. This type appeals to archers looking for authentic, purist shooting, on the 3D course or out in the woods. Our range of Traditional Bows covers every price bracket.

Hunting Recurve

Hunting recurves are more compact and shorter than sport bows, because maneuverability in the field matters more than maximum stability. They are shot instinctively and optimized for quick shots at close range. Bowhunting laws vary widely by country. It is legal in many parts of the United States, Canada, and several European countries, but banned in others, including Germany. Always check the regulations that apply where you intend to hunt.

Take-Down or One-Piece, the Key Question

Three-piece take-down recurves consist of a riser and two detachable limbs. The ILF system (International Limb Fitting) is the standard here. Limbs from different manufacturers fit into compatible risers, which gives you maximum flexibility for later upgrades. Our ILF range offers exactly this freedom to mix and match. The biggest practical benefit is adaptability. As your muscles get stronger and the draw weight starts to feel too light, you simply swap the limbs. A new pair of limbs costs 50 to 300 euros instead of a whole new bow. The disassembled bow also travels easily, ideal for club training and trips.

One-piece recurves, by contrast, are only recommended for archers who already know their ideal draw weight precisely. The draw weight is fixed, so a change means a completely new bow. In return, one-piece models offer the most pure shooting feel and no screw connections as potential weak points.

The Right Draw Weight and the Right Bow Length

The most common beginner mistakes happen when choosing draw weight and bow length. As an adult, you are best off starting with 20 to 24 pounds for women and 22 to 28 pounds for men. A draw weight that is too high makes clean technique impossible and leads to rapid fatigue. Increase by no more than two pounds per month.

For bow length, the safe standard for adults is 68 inches. This length suits body heights between 165 and 185 cm (about 5 ft 5 in to 6 ft 1 in) and draw lengths of 26 to 29 inches. A bow that is too short causes stacking at the end of the draw, meaning a steep rise in draw weight, and a sharp string angle that strains the fingers. When in doubt, go a little longer.

Accessories for Recurve Bows

Which accessories you need depends on your shooting style. Traditional archers need little, namely an armguard, a finger tab, and the right arrows. Sport-oriented archers add to their bow step by step with an arrow rest and button, a sight, stabilizers, and a clicker. For everyone, an armguard and finger protection are essential from day one, and everything else comes with growing skill.

For arrows, carbon shafts are a good choice for beginners and advanced archers alike. They are durable, low-maintenance, and available in many spine values. The spine, meaning the stiffness of the arrow, has to match the bow's draw weight. A poorly matched arrow flies inaccurately and can break in the worst case.

Our Range at BogenSportWelt

At BogenSportWelt you will find recurve bows for every level and every requirement. Browse our categories and find what suits you.

  • Sport Bows and Sets, complete sets for a direct start
  • Traditional Bows, for instinctive shooting and the 3D course
  • ILF Bows, maximum freedom to combine riser and limbs
  • Risers, individual risers for a custom build
  • Limbs, an upgrade or replacement for your existing setup

If you are unsure which bow and which draw weight suit you, our team is happy to help.

FAQs

Is a recurve bow suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's the recommended starting bow type. Most archery associations and coaches advise learning the sport on a recurve. The technique you develop here transfers to any other bow type later on. A three-piece take-down recurve with ILF system is the most practical choice because it grows with you.

A solid first setup costs between 200 and 350 euros, including bow, arrows, arm guard, and finger tab. Those who want more flexibility and long-term quality invest 500 to 700 euros in an ILF setup with a quality riser that serves as a base for many years.

A take-down recurve consists of a riser and two removable limbs. You can swap limbs, adjust draw weight and bow length, and transport the bow compactly. A one-piece recurve is a single continuous unit with a fixed draw weight. It suits only archers who already know their setup precisely.

For adults, 68 inches is a reliable starting point. What really matters is your draw length, not your height. Two people of the same height can have draw lengths anywhere between 27 and 30 inches. At a club or specialist retailer you can get this measured easily and try out different lengths before buying.

Yes. Unlike a compound bow, a recurve should be unstrung after every session. This protects the limbs and significantly extends the life of the bow. Always use a bow stringer when stringing and unstringing, to avoid twisting the limbs in the process.