Choosing the right youth recurve bow
The teenage years are a great time to get your child involved in archery.
There are many different kinds of bows but traditional recurve bows are a great kind of bow for young archers.
Recurve bows offer both power and accuracy and are incredibly easy to handle, making them one of the most popular bows among youth archers.
If you get your hands on one of the best recurve bow for teens, they can target practice, compete, and hunt with the same bow.
Best Youth/Junior Recurve bows
There are many recurve bows out there that work well with younger archers.
There are some in the market that are made specifically for youths in mind.
Among the myriad of choices, there are some that do stand out, and we are here to point out which bows (modern or traditional) that will be perfect for the youth members of your archery team or simply to help you pick up a hobby recurve bow for your children.
Here, we have put together a list of the best recurve youth bows (you can’t find them in archery books!) for your reading pleasure which will help you make an informed decision regarding the bows that you might consider getting for your child.
Our picks for the best youth recurve bows
- Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow – Editor’s Pick
- Toparchery’s Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow – Best Youth Bow for Beginners
- Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve bow – Best for 13 Years and Above
- Dostyle Archery Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set – Best Child Starter Recurve Bow (arrows included!)
1. Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow (Editor’s Pick for Best Recurve Bow for Youth)
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is known as the gold standard for new archers.
Its easy setup and handling are great for learning the basics of archery and bow shooting.
Don’t let that discourage you from the potential power. Depending on your draw weight, this bow can deliver quite a punch.
Believe it or not, in the right hands, arrows shot from this bow can even take down a bear!
If you are looking for the best youth recurve bow for new teenage archers, this is the one for you.
First things first, this bow is absolutely beautiful. The various shades of its brown grip combined with its all-black limbs create quite a looker of a bow.
This is also one of the most comfortable bows to hold.
With both left-hand and right-hand options, you can use this bow no matter what hand orientation you prefer for your archery escapades.
This bow offers from 25 lb to 60 lb draw weight. So whether you are a 13-year-old new archer or an 18-year-old stronger archer you can customize this bow to your comfortability.
Though we are calling it a “beginner or youth bow”, the maximum draw weight of 60 lb really packs a punch and a well-placed/well-shot arrow from a trained youth is capable of putting down a deer or elk!
If you might be interested in adding accessories to this recurve bow, they are premade ports for adding a bow sight, stabilizer, or reel.
This bow is also quite accurate, it’s used by archery champions all around the world and all of them have put in a good review.
This bow is hands down the best recurve bow for teenagers be it for archery training, hunting, or simply for leisure “pick a bow and start firing arrows” backyard practice.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Both left-handed and right-handed use
- 25-60 lb draw weight options
- Comfortable grip
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Not suitable for large teens looking for bows with 60+ lb draw weight.
2. Toparchery Archery 56″ Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow (Best Youth Bow for Beginners)
This is an affordable option for new teenage archers. Toparchery’s Takedown Hunting recurve bow provides everything you need in a beginner/intermediate recurve bow at a surprisingly low price.
This bow offers poundage of 30-50 lb draw weight which is in the range for most high-school students.
For larger or exceptionally strong teens, that may not be enough.
Although rare, I know a 17-year-old capable of pulling bows with 65 lb draw weight.
This bow is designed for right-handed shooters only so if you are left-handed, you may want to consider bows such as the Samick Sage recurve bow instead.
My favorite aspect of purchasing the Toparchery brand is that they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
If you are not happy with your bow, you can return it for a full refund. Toparchery is that confident in their products.
Setting up this youth bow takes only a few minutes. Within 5-7 minutes of opening the box, you can be ready to take your first shot.
This bow has a 30-inch draw length which makes it ideal for almost all teens.
If the teen is over 6′ they may want to consider the Southwest Archery Spyder XL Takedown Recurve Bow for a longer draw length.
The Toparchery’s Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow is our choice for being one of the best recurve youth bows out in the market today.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Great for new and intermediate archers
- Easy and fast setup
- 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Cons
- Not suitable for teens over 6″
- Not suitable for larger teens
3. Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow
This beautifully designed takedown recurve bow is great for all learning archers.
Apart from its beautiful design, the power and accuracy of this recurve bow will keep you shooting arrow after arrow for hours!
The Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve bow offers a wide variety of draw weights from 20 lb to 60 lb in 5 lb increments.
Whether it’s a 13-year-old teenage girl or a bulkier high school senior, this bow works for everyone.
For those with a longer and need a longer draw length, this bow also has an XL option available for those that need over 30″ of draw length.
Southwest Archer is known as one of the best manufacturers in the industry allowing you to trust the quality of their product.
Southwest Archery is so confident in their products, they provide a 1-year manufacturer warranty so that if your recurve bow comes with any defects you can return it for a replacement.
This bow is also unbelievably accurate. The balanced grip makes it easier to maneuver so you hit your target every time.
Touted as one of the best bows for youth archers or for children looking to get into archery, the Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve bow will be your go-to choice if you are looking for a suitable youth bow for your kids!
Pros
- Great for teenage archers of any build.
- Available in a wide variety of draw weights
- Built by one of the best manufacturers in the industry
- Beautiful design
- 1-Year manufacture warranty
Cons
- A bit pricier than other entry-level bows.
4. DOSTYLE Archery Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set (Best Child Starter Recurve Bow)
For the younger archers out there, we have the Dostyle Archery Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set.
This right-handed recurve bow is the perfect kit for starters.
You can get some good target practice without sacrificing too much on power.
My wife, kids, and I all enjoy this bow. We took out an old couch that we were going to throw away and placed targets all over it. Now we have a fun hobby we all enjoy.
For teens who are just looking for a fun bow to enjoy in the backyard or with family/friends, this is the bow for you.
Plus this kit comes with everything you need (bows, arrows and all)! Within 10 minutes of it arriving from Amazon, my family and I were taking practice shots in our backyard.
This is also by far the most affordable bow on this list. Get everything you need for your teen to pick up archery as a hobby in one purchase.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy Setup
- Great for target practice
- Comes with everything you need
Cons
- Not for older/stronger teens
Picking the Best Recurve Bow for Teenagers
There are hundreds of recurve bows out there with different builds and designs.
Here are a few things you should look out for when picking the best recurve bow for a teenager.
Draw Weight
Draw weight is simply the force needed to draw a bow.
The higher the draw weight, the more force the arrow carries when fired.
Different archers need different draw weights depending on their build.
Here is a table to help pick the correct draw weight for your teen archer.
| Archer | Recommended Draw Weight |
| Muscular Young Men | 60-70 lb Draw Weight |
| A Majority of Men | 50-60 lb Draw Weight |
| Stronger Women and Most Teens | 40-50 lb Draw Weight |
| A majority of Women and Yong Archers | 30-40 lb Draw Weight |
If you are still unsure which draw weight to get, always underestimate rather than overestimate.
Most bows will carry between 40-60 lb draw weight.
If you are looking for less than 40 lb check out the Top Archery Recurve bow listed above.
If you need over 60 lb then you’ll have to go with the Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow XL.
Hand-Orientation
The next important detail is the hand orientation of your children.
Left-handed archers have to get specific bows to fit their dominant hand.
Be sure that the youth bow you purchase fits their hand orientation.
All the bows in this list are for both right-handed and left-handed archers except the Top Archery takedown recurve bow and the Dostyle Bow.
Price
Depending on what you plan on your children using the bow for, you should expect to pay a different amount.
Is it for general archery training?
Or to tag along with you during one of your hunting trips?
If you want a recurve bow that your teen can target shooting in the backyard, then any of the above will do the trick.
If you want to go hunting with your teen, you’ll want to consider one of the first 3 options that provide the power necessary to take down large game such as deer, elk or even a bear!
Whenever hunting with a recurve bow, you’ll need to use at least 40 lb draw weight to ethically get a clean kill.
Draw Length
Different bows have different draw lengths. A draw length is how far back the bowstring will get pulled.
Depending on the height of the archer, they may need a shorter or longer draw length.
Typically if your teen is not yet adult-size, they can use any bow.
You’ll start running into an issue with taller teens as they may need a longer draw weight for archery practice.
Bow Length
Bow length plays a pretty important role in youth/junior archery.
In youth archery, the size of the bow is important as it must be able to withstand the load put on it.
A bow that is too small (undersized) for its shooter might break due to not being able to handle the draw length of the child.
On the other hand, handling a bow that is too long will cause the kids to no longer have fun!
Therefore, the length of the bow should be taken into account when wanting to buy a bow for archery beginners.
A general rule of thumb to follow for the best bow length for a youth bow is as follows:
| Height of Child | Length of Bow |
| Up to 120cm | 54 inch |
| 120 – 135cm | 58 inch |
| 136-150cm | 62 inch |
Additional consideration for Youth/Teen archers
Archery is a fantastic sport for children or youths.
It not only promotes focus, discipline, and patience but also allows them to connect with nature and develop valuable skills.
Here are some additional considerations when introducing your youth/children to archery:
- Safety First:
Before handing over a youth recurve bow, ensure that your child is well-versed in the details and safety protocols of archery.
Stress the importance of never pointing a recurve bow at anyone and always keeping it pointed in a safe direction. - Proper Supervision:
Always supervise your youth while they are using their recurve bow, especially if they are a beginner.
Guide them towards having the right posture and form to prevent any accidents.
It doesn’t matter if it is during target archery practice or hunting in the wilds, ensure that all your youth archers are supervised! - Training and Classes:
Consider enrolling your youth in archery classes or programs designed for a beginner.
Professional instruction can significantly accelerate their progress and keep them engaged in the archery sport. - Practice and Patience:
Encourage your teen to practice regularly.
Archery, like any skill, improves with practice.
Patience is key, and progress may be gradual, but the rewards are worth it. - Choosing the Right Recurve Bow:
Selecting the best youth recurve bows is crucial for your child’s archery journey.
Make sure to read reviews and gather all the necessary details about the bows, such as draw weight in pounds, included accessories, and any updated features. - Bear in Mind:
Bear in mind that the learning process in archery is ongoing.
It’s not just about hitting the target; it’s about developing a deeper understanding of focus, discipline, and precision.
Encourage your youth to embrace the journey. - Community and Camaraderie:
Consider joining an archery club or community with your youth archer.
Being part of a supportive group can enhance their experience and provide valuable friendships. - Outdoor Adventures:
Use archery as an opportunity to explore the great outdoors.
Plan trips to different shooting ranges or even camping expeditions where your youth can apply their archery skills in diverse environments. - Celebrate Achievements:
Celebrate milestones and achievements in archery.
Recognize their dedication and progress, whether it’s hitting a bullseye or mastering a challenging technique. - Stay Informed:
Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in archery.
The sport continually evolves, and staying updated can help your youth archer adapt and excel.
By incorporating these additional points, young archers can embark on a fulfilling archery journey with the right guidance and support.
A Growing Community of Crossbow Enthusiasts
While we’ve been primarily discussing recurve bows in this article, it’s worth noting that the world of archery includes a diverse range of equipment, including crossbows.
Crossbows have gained popularity among youth and adults alike, offering a different archery experience.
Crossbow enthusiasts appreciate the accuracy and power of these weapons, making them suitable for both hunting and target shooting.
If your youth archer shows a keen interest in archery, they may explore the exciting world of crossbows in addition to traditional bows.
Final Verdict
When it comes to the best recurve bow for teenagers, the Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow takes the prize.
From hunting to target practice this bow does it all.
Archery is one of those unique fun hobbies you can spend hours enjoying with your teenager.
Go out there and take some shots!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Recurve Bow kids to start with?
The Samick Sage Takedown Recurve Bow is the talk of the town among bow enthusiasts when it comes to recurve bows.
Extremely light, durable and draw weight options starting from 25 lb all the way up to 65 lb, the Samick Sage is the perfect bow for junior and youth archers!
One of the best youth recurve bow around!
Are recurve bows good for a beginner who wants to do archery/hunting?
When just starting out, recurve bows are a breeze to grab and start shooting with.
You won’t need a bunch of gear such as bow quivers, or bow strings or even need to learn about bow building.
Chances are, you’ll be familiar enough with them to get going in no time.
Plus, when you’re honing your form and skills, beginner recurve bows are a solid choice.
Is it better for youth/junior to start with a compound bow or recurve bow?
A compound bow is the way to go when aiming for maximum power.
The best youth bow for junior archers, however, would still be a recurve bow.
It is one of the best bows to use when just starting out and getting the hang of archery.
What are the best arrows for a youth using a recurve bow?
Youth or junior archers spend most of their time indoors honing their skills therefore the skinny carbon arrows are a no-go.
Aluminium arrows on the other hand are a great choice for a beginner looking to venture into archery and want to be more accurate.
These arrows have greater consistency, straighter flights, and are extremely durable making them perfect to be paired with the best youth recurve bow for beginners such as the Samick Sage Recurve Bow.
Archery is my hobby & I usually hunt and play on weekends and after work. It’s a passion since I was very young and I love writing about it as well to continuously learn more and share the love of archery with others!
