Unfortunately, many archers don’t realize how important chest guards are. They do serve a very important purpose.
With detailed information and simple terms, this article aims to address the question, “Why do archers wear chest guards?”
Generally, archers wear chest guards because they provide protection for when the bowstring hits the archers’ chests. Also, the smooth texture of the chest guard allows the string to slide over it without losing the shot’s momentum.
While the answer might seem simple, there’s actually more to it than that. After all, there are a lot of factors that go into whether or not an archer actually needs to wear a chest guard.
What Is a Chest Guard?
Before discussing why archers wear chest guards, it’s important to know what chest guards are.
A chest guard is a piece of protective clothing that archers wear on their shoulders, covering the area where the bowstring comes in contact with their chests.
Of course, this means the position of the chest guards depends on your dominant hand. Right-handed archers wear chest guards on their left shoulder. That’s because when an archer pulls the string with their right hand, it’ll make contact with the left side of the chest.
In the same way, left-handed archers wear their chest guards on the right side of the chest, as this is the area that the string will brush.
What Is the Purpose of a Chest Guard?
Let’s discuss all the reasons that would make an archer want to wear a chest guard.
Flattens Clothing
Typically, archers draw the bowstring to their chests when they’re shooting, so It’s recommended that they wear tight outfits.
If an archer is wearing baggy clothes, they could get in the way of making the shot. The string will probably scrap over the clothes. That causes more friction, which would decrease the momentum of the shot, lowering its accuracy and increasing the chances of missing the target.
On windy days, archers’ clothes can move in uncontrollable directions, making it more likely to get in the way of making the shot.
These problems can be easily fixed with a chest guard.
A chest guard flattens clothes, preventing them from hindering the shot and giving the archers more freedom when they’re shooting. Also, a chest guard’s smooth surface allows the bowstring to slide over it without losing much of the shot’s velocity.
Unfortunately, even if an archer wears a tight outfit, there’s still a chance that the string would snag to it. So, it’s better to stay safe and wear a chest guard as much as possible.
Prevents Chest Injuries
The more in line an archer’s posture is when they’re shooting, the greater the possibility of the bowstring hitting their chests, causing quite a painful sting.
Actually, merely pushing the bowstring against the chest causes pressure, which could lead to soreness or pain in the future.
If that happens without the archer having the right protection, it could lead to a number of bruises.
A chest guard works as a protective piece of garment, preventing the archer from sustaining damage from the bowstring’s impact.
This is particularly important for women, as they tend to have bigger chests, so there’s more chance that the string could cause a serious chest injury.
That’s not to say that men don’t need chest guards. A man can still suffer from the stings and bruises of the bowstring just as much.
Do Archers Need a Chest Guard?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. Whether an archer needs a chest guard or not is up to them to decide, as there are several factors that go into that decision.
It’s highly recommended that beginners wear a chest guard. Since they’re still learning and haven’t developed proper shooting techniques yet, there’d be a large margin of error. One small slip could cause a chest injury, so it’s better to stay safe and protect their chests.
The posture that an archer takes when they shoot can also determine whether they generally need a chest guard or not. Some archers don’t pull the bowstring past their chests.
They wouldn’t need a chest guard in that case, as there wouldn’t be any risk of chest injury or clothes hindering the shot.
The archer’s physique can also determine whether they need a chest guard or not. If the archer has a flat chest, then they don’t really need one. That’s why Chest guards are more popular with women than they are with men.
If a male archer is using a compound bow, then he might not need a chest guard since the angle of the string when it’s pulled doesn’t allow it to make much contact with the chest.
The same isn’t necessarily true for women, though. Different physiques interact differently with the bow.
If an archer, whether a man or a woman, uses a recurve bow, they’re more likely to wear a chest guard. The bowstrings of the recurve bow make more contact with the chest area than compound bows, so there’s a greater risk of them snagging on clothes.
Olympic archers need to wear chest guards because they’re participating in a competition where one point can make a difference. So it’s crucial to eliminate any factor that could affect the accuracy of their shots.
My Personal Favorite Archery Chest Guard
The Easton Diamond is my personal favorite chest guard for archery. It’s remarkably breathable, thanks to its air-mesh construction. It’s also very lightweight, so you won’t feel as if it’s weighing you down in any way.
The Easton Diamond flaunts a unisex design, so it’s suitable for both men and women. Further, the chest guard comes with a manufacturer warranty against defects.
Best of all, this guard is pretty wallet-friendly, priced under $30.
Are There Alternatives for Chest Guards?
A chest guard is a safe bet, but there are other alternatives you can use if it’s not available.
Tight Clothing
Although it’s not foolproof, wearing tight clothes can flatten the chest area, lowering the chances of contact between clothes and the bowstring.
For men, try to go with sportswear. They’d be quite practical for archery. If sportswear isn’t an option, a normal t-shirt would be good enough as long as it’s not baggy.
As for women, a sports bra might be a good idea. It’ll flatten the chests and give more freedom when they’re shooting.
A sports bra wouldn’t work with every woman, though. In that case, female archers can resort to the following alternative.
Handmade Guards
While it’s not a conventional alternative, it can surprisingly produce good results.
The design of the chest guards isn’t that complicated. In fact, some people don’t have chest guards available near them and have resorted to making their own. It’s quite doable, really. It could be a nice DIY challenge.
Even if the design is a bit different, as long as the piece of garment has a smooth surface and can cover the chest area, it’ll do the trick.
Wrapping Up
There’s more to the archery world than what meets the eye.
While, at first glance, a chest guard might seem like a useless tool, upon close inspection, it’ll be clear that it serves a crucial role.
Chest guards prevent clothes from hindering the momentum of the shot and provide protection in case the bowstring hits the archer’s chest.
Does that mean every archer needs to wear one? That decision depends on the archer’s physique, form, bow, and experience.
If a chest guard isn’t available, there are always alternatives to resort to, such as wearing tight clothes or making a chest guard at home.
After reading this article, one might ask, “Are there any other equipment people need to get into archery?” To find out the answer, check out this article right here.