Archery Targets
Comparison table: Our recommended targets for you
The selection is huge, and the differences are enormous. They are round or rectangular, made of straw or foam, thick or thin. Choosing the right target can be a mammoth task. Especially for beginners in archery, it is often not easy to make a decision here. We put an end to that! Our comparison table provides you with a selection of recommended targets, allowing you to quickly and easily find models that meet your needs.
| Target | Suitability | Weight | Arrow pull | Durability | Variety | Price/performance | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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STRONGHOLD Targets X-Series Recommendation |
Hobby / Club / Crossbow Draw weight unlimited |
21 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Targets EasyPull |
Hobby / Club / Crossbow up to 80 lbs (bow) up to 350 fps (crossbow) |
21 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Targets White Edition |
Hobby / Club up to 65 lbs (bow) |
21 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Targets Black Edition |
Hobby / Club / Crossbow up to 80 lbs (bow) up to 450 fps (crossbow) |
20 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Targets Switch / Pro |
Club / Frequent shooters / Crossbow up to 60 lbs (bow) up to 450 fps (crossbow) |
19 / 25 Recommendations |
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BEARPAW Targets |
Hobby / Club up to 65 lbs (bows) |
16 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Performance Straw Discs |
Hobby up to 55 lbs (bow) |
15 / 25 Recommendations |
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STRONGHOLD Standard Straw discs |
Hobby up to 40 lbs (bow) |
15 / 25 Recommendations |
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Karphos / Stramit |
Hobby / Club up to 80 lbs (bow) |
13 / 25 Recommendations |
In a nutshell
- Choosing a target: discipline, draw weight, shooting distance and location decide the right type, the range covers everything from straw to high-performance foam.
- WA target face: five colour zones from gold to white, large faces for 70 or 90 metres outdoors, smaller faces for indoor rounds.
- Crossbow targets: built for the higher bolt speeds of crossbows, quality foam targets with wooden frames withstand up to 450 fps while protecting your bolts.
- Material: modern foam is lighter and gentler on arrows than stramit, a replaceable centre extends the target's service life considerably.
- Backstop nets: installed behind the target to stop stray arrows, reducing the risk of injury and protecting the surrounding area.
- Full range: bow targets, crossbow targets, 3D animals, target accessories and backstop nets for every application.
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Buying Archery Targets, the Right Target for Every Discipline
Choosing the right archery target depends on several factors, which discipline you shoot, the draw weight of your bow or crossbow, and whether you practice in your garden, at a club, or on a 3D course in the field. At BogenSportWelt, the range covers everything from basic straw targets for beginners to high-performance foam targets for club use and life-size 3D animals for hunting-style shooting. Whatever your level, you will find the right target here.
Which Target Type Suits Your Discipline?
Archery is a diverse sport, and each discipline places different demands on the target. In classic target archery following WA rules, you use a paper face with concentric rings mounted on a foam or traditional stramit target body. The rings are divided into five colours, from the inside out gold, red, blue, black, and white, with each zone awarding a specific score. The size of the target face depends on the shooting distance, large faces for outdoor distances of 70 or 90 metres, smaller ones for indoor rounds.
In field archery, competitors use special faces with a black background and a yellow inner circle. A key difference from indoor shooting is that the exact distance is not always known, which adds a level of estimation and skill to every shot.
Bows, from Ring Shooting to the 3D Course
3D archery is a discipline in its own right, with its own world championships and a growing community. Life-size animal figures made from special self-healing foam are placed throughout natural terrain, ranging from small squirrels at 5 to 15 metres to bears and deer at 20 to 50 metres. The shooter's task is first to estimate the distance correctly and then to hit the scoring zone. Depending on the governing body, the scoring system varies. Under DSB (WA) rules, two arrows are shot per station. Under DFBV (IFAA) rules, up to three arrows are allowed per animal, but only the first hit counts. If you want to explore 3D targets in more detail, visit our 3D animals category.
Crossbows, High-Demand Targets for High-Performance Shooting
Crossbows typically generate significantly higher bolt speeds than bows. This means that targets for crossbow use must be especially durable. High-quality foam targets with wooden frames can withstand speeds of up to 450 fps depending on the model, while still protecting your bolts from unnecessary wear. Despite their size, many models weigh less than 15 kg and are easy to transport. Shooting bags are another excellent option for crossbow shooters, compact, hangable, and fitted with printed aiming points for varied practice sessions. You will find a dedicated selection in our crossbow targets category.
Material, Draw Weight, and Durability, What to Look For
The most important criterion when buying a target is the maximum draw weight it is rated for. A target designed for 40 lbs will not hold up to a 70-lb bow and can quickly become a safety hazard. Always check that the model you choose matches your bow or crossbow and its draw weight.
When it comes to materials, modern foam targets have largely replaced traditional stramit in many areas. Foam is significantly lighter, far gentler on arrows, and with premium models like STRONGHOLD Targets, often features a replaceable centre. Since archers almost always aim at the same spot, that area wears out the fastest. A replaceable centre significantly extends the target's service life. Straw targets and karphos targets remain popular, especially for traditional disciplines and club use at short to medium distances. For beginners, straw targets are often perfectly sufficient. Frequent shooters and club members, however, tend to benefit quickly from investing in a high-quality foam solution.
Portability is worth considering too. If you regularly transport your target, pay attention to weight and ease of setup. A curated selection of targets for bow shooting is available in our dedicated category.
Safe Shooting, Arrow Backstop Nets and Target Accessories
No target catches every arrow perfectly. Beginners or archers shooting at unfamiliar distances will occasionally miss the target face. Arrow backstop nets and backstop mats are installed behind the target and prevent stray arrows from flying uncontrolled into the surrounding area. This not only protects the environment but also significantly reduces the risk of injury to everyone nearby.
Proper setup also calls for the right support. In our target accessories section, you will find stands in various configurations, replacement target faces, spare centres for 3D animals, and arrow pullers. The latter are a real comfort upgrade, especially when arrows are buried deep in hard foam targets or 3D figures.
The Complete Target Range at BogenSportWelt
Whether you are looking for a classic target for club training, stepping into 3D archery on a parcours, or sighting in your crossbow, BogenSportWelt has the right model for every application. Explore our bow targets, browse robust crossbow targets, or get inspired by our 3D animal figures for your next field session. Complete your setup with items from our target accessories range and our arrow backstop nets. If you have questions about which target is right for your setup, our team is happy to help.
FAQs
What materials are archery targets made from?
Archery targets are made from straw, karphos, foam, ethafoam, hard foam, or polyester fibers, each with different strengths. Straw and karphos are affordable classics but are sensitive to moisture and only suitable for lower draw weights. Modern foam and ethafoam have become the standard for club and training use because they are light, arrow-friendly, and long-lasting. 3D targets use self-healing foam that closes back up after an arrow is removed. Polyester-fiber targets offer excellent stopping power and hold up well in all weather conditions.
What sizes are available for archery targets?
The range covers everything from compact practice targets for short distances and mobile use to large club formats for competition distances of 70 or 90 meters. The right size depends on your shooting distance, skill level, and available space. At BogenSportWelt you will find target bodies, faces, and 3D animals for all common disciplines and distances.
What target size is recommended for beginners?
For beginners, a target with a diameter of 80 to 100 cm is a solid choice. This size offers enough surface area to build confidence and develop technique without excessive frustration from missed shots. As your accuracy improves, you can move to smaller faces or specific competition formats.
What are the advantages of a small archery target?
A small target trains concentration and precision because the limited surface demands more careful form and release technique than a large one. It is also lighter and easier to transport, making it ideal for mobile training or limited space. Advanced archers often use smaller targets deliberately to push their accuracy to the next level.
What are the advantages of a large archery target?
A large target offers more surface area and therefore more margin for error, which helps beginners build confidence and refine technique. At longer distances or in poor light, a large target is also much easier to pick up visually. In group training, multiple archers can shoot simultaneously, improving session flow and enabling direct comparison. The trade-off is greater space requirements and generally a higher price.
How much does a good archery target cost?
Basic straw and foam targets start at around 35 euros, polyester-fiber targets from about 70 euros, and 3D animals from roughly 50 euros depending on size. A high-quality target is the more economical choice in the long run because it protects your arrows and lasts far longer than a budget model. As a rule of thumb, the extra investment pays off after just a handful of broken arrows.
How do I find the right target for my bow?
The key criteria are your bow's draw weight, the type of arrows you use, and where you plan to shoot. Compound bows generate higher arrow speeds than recurve or traditional bows and therefore need a more robust target. If you shoot carbon arrows, always leave a little headroom when choosing, since lightweight carbon shafts fly faster and penetrate deeper than aluminum arrows at the same draw weight. Every target in the BogenSportWelt range lists a maximum draw weight in the product description, so matching them is straightforward.
Which target can I use up to what draw weight?
As a general guide, straw targets are suitable for bows up to around 30 lbs, basic foam and polyester-fiber targets cover draw weights from 30 lbs upward, and karphos or ethafoam targets are designed for 40 to 50 lbs and beyond. With carbon arrows, always choose the next stronger option, since they fly faster and penetrate more deeply than aluminum arrows of equivalent weight. The exact maximum draw weight is listed in the product description of each target.
Which target should I use for which archery discipline?
In Olympic recurve competition, official 122 cm faces on foam or karphos target bodies are used for distances between 30 and 90 meters. Recreational archers and beginners are well served by a standard foam target between 80 and 100 cm for almost any discipline. Compound archers choose faces according to their discipline, indoor, outdoor, field, or 3D, following the specifications of their governing body. For traditional bows and longbows, straw and foam targets work well at nearly all distances. In 3D archery, the shooting distance is determined by the size of the animal figure, and scoring follows DSB or DFBV rules.
Are the targets weather-resistant?
Most foam and polyester-fiber targets in the range are suitable for permanent outdoor use. Karphos targets are the exception: they are sensitive to moisture and should always be covered after shooting, but must not dry out too much either. For continuous outdoor use, look for models explicitly described as weather-resistant in the product details.
How long does a high-quality archery target last?
Service life depends on shooting frequency, draw weight, arrow material, and weather exposure. Premium models like the <strong>STRONGHOLD X-Series</strong> are rated by the manufacturer for up to 100,000 shots. Check your target regularly for penetrations deeper than 10 cm, significant deformation, or declining stopping power, and replace it when those signs appear to ensure safe shooting at all times.
How do I protect my outdoor target from the elements?
The most effective measure is a UV- and water-resistant cover that protects the target after each session. Where possible, avoid positioning the target in permanent direct sunlight. For longer breaks, storing it in a dry, sheltered location is worthwhile. Regular visual checks for early signs of wear also help you act before damage becomes serious and extend the target's overall service life.
Can a damaged archery target be repaired?
Many models can be repaired, especially those with replaceable centers or interchangeable foam layers. For 3D animals, dedicated spare parts such as replacement cores and repair kits are available. Self-healing foam closes back up after an arrow is removed, which noticeably extends the lifespan of these targets. You will find the right accessories in the target accessories category.
What safety precautions apply when using archery targets?
The target must be set up stably so it cannot shift or fall over when arrows are pulled. Nobody should stand behind the target or in the shooting lane at any time, including the brief moments between shots. Hard surfaces like stone walls directly behind the target can cause dangerous deflections or damage arrows on a miss. We always recommend using an arrow backstop net behind the target for this reason.