We constantly see archers in movies wearing long, flowy white robes. How cool does the protagonist look with the wind blowing through their hair as they hit the target? Pretty cool, but that’s not realistic at all.
As a general rule, archers should avoid any clothing item that gets in the way. This includes robes, wigs, and flowy or frilly tops. Knowing what not to wear for archery can help archers to perform better.
Some archery ranges enforce a dress code. They don’t do it to be tedious, but they do it for safety and practicality. Read more to know all about the common mistakes in archery outfits.
What Should You Not Wear for Archery?
Many people seek athletics first before safety. It might be tempting to wear something custom with a few accessories here and there.
With the wrong outfit, it’s easy to fall into an unpleasant and painful accident. Imagine a necklace or a frill getting caught in your bowstrings!
Additionally, when your clothes get in the way of the crossbow, you might find the arrow dropping low with a shorter flight path.
Here are a few examples of inappropriate attire choices for archers to avoid:
Flowy Tops
This is perhaps the most common mistake of all. We get that an archer in a flowy robe looks aesthetically pleasing, but the range isn’t the place for costumes.
A good top to wear for archery is form-fitting, collared, and made of light materials. For colder weather, buy thermal athletic wear to avoid layering.
The sleeve should be the right length and tight around the wrist. If it’s too wide or too long, it might snatch on the bow.
Denim Pants or Shorts
Jeans and denim are very casual, but they can be restricting. The dense fabric can make your steps heavier and tardy.
For a sport like archery, graceful movements are the key to success. Try to choose a light fabric that bends easily, like cotton and linen.
Most ranges and tournaments allow knee-length shorts. They’re comfortable enough without being overly flowy. If you want to avoid shorts, leggings are a reliable alternative.
Inappropriate Shoes
All outdoor sports need a certain level of functional and protective apparel. Generally, open-toed shoes, flats, and heels can’t provide adequate coverage or stability.
When you’re choosing footwear, stick to comfortable sports shoes. Go for athletic soles to enhance your posture. Hiking shoes also have a decent grip on most terrains.
The fancy heels, wedges, and sandals will have to wait for a different occasion. Archery is all about swift movements.
Wigs
Some people tend to use wigs for full archer’s costumes. Using wigs itself isn’t necessarily bad. It’s just that they might get in the way.
This also applies to natural hair. If you have long hair, it’s best to tie it back. Bring any braids or bangs away from the arrows and the bow.
To make sure no stray strands of hair (natural or synthetic) snag on the archery equipment, you can wear a hat.
Frills
Frills used to be a common apparel feature for archers. However, we’re shifting away from ancient customs to more modern and practical attire.
1860s female archery outfit with pocket diary hanging from the belt pic.twitter.com/I4FeZ4a4Qo
— The Aureus Press (@Trad_West_Art) January 3, 2021
It’s really easy for the frill to get stuck on the equipment while drawing the bow. The snag doesn’t only hinder the performance, but it’s also a safety concern.
Avoid wearing anything with loose straps and frilly attachments on the archery range. So, you can’t wear hoodies with front strings.
Can You Wear Rings While Doing Archery?
Accessories on the wrist and fingers are generally not suitable for archery. They might disrupt your movement. So, avoid wearing watches, bracelets, rings, and even long necklaces to the range.
Thumb rings are a different topic. In Asian regions, many archers wear a protective tool that helps keep the thumb safe from cuts and string friction. These rings are acceptable for archery. They can even enhance your hooking technique.
Keep in mind that thumb rings come in different shapes and various materials. Some of them are made from leather, resin, or brass. However, it’s important to get the right size for every season.
What Accessories Are Allowed During Archery?
Earrings, facial piercings, long necklaces, and shawls are all bad choices for archers. It doesn’t mean that you can’t show off some personality in your outfit.
Some people like to use camo patterns in their outfits, while others stick to the orange. After all, orange is a hunter’s favorite color.
However, colors aren’t the only way to style your archery clothes, though. Besides thumb rings, there are a few appropriate accessories to wear.
Hats
Wearing a hat for sun protection is okay. Bucket hats and beanies are the best options out there. Bucket hats offer shade without being too large and restricting.
Meanwhile, cowboy hats are too wide to let you draw the bow effectively. If you want to wear a baseball cap, make sure you turn the brim to the backside.
Sunglasses
In some cases, it’s okay to use a sunglass on the range. You still might need to take it off before taking your shot to get a better vision of the target.
If you plan on keeping the sunglasses the whole time, make sure the frame is minimal with a wide panoramic lens. You don’t want any central obstruction that distorts your line of vision.
Chest Guards
Another acceptable accessory for archery is any protective gear like chest guards. These help keep the clothes out of the way, and they’re particularly common with recurve bows.
Classical chest guards come with half a sleeve on one side. This design ensures that there’s enough room for the string to drawback.
Braces
Braces or forearm guards are also widely used by archers. It helps reduce injuries like bowstring slaps.
For beginners, we recommend getting a brace with a velcro strap. Avoid laced forearm guards for now. The laced ones might look cool, but they can get loose while drawing.
Gloves
You can also wear a three-fingered glove to protect from string burns. Gloves aren’t mandatory, but they’re very trendy. Read this guide to know if archery gloves are a good fit for you.
Alternatively, you can use finger guards. These are little silicon pieces that latch onto the bowstring itself.
Nose Tape
Sometimes, the bowstring might burn the side of your nose. This is particularly true when hunting with a barebow anchor point.
Nose tape can reduce the pain while giving the string a smoother flow, letting you make a more accurate shot.
Final Thoughts
By now, we hope you know what not to wear for archery.
So, next time you hear someone asking “What should you not wear for archery?” Tell them to stay clear of flowy clothes, frills, loose wigs, and restricting fabric like denim.
It’s okay to resort to protective gears like thumb rings, chest guards, braces, and gloves. Accessory rings are generally a bad idea. Meanwhile, hats and sunglasses are allowed with a few considerations.
Archery is an exciting activity, but it can be a bit expensive. If you’re ready to get the rest of your gear ready, head to this post for a cost breakdown.