For most archers, the modern side quiver has taken the place of the traditional quiver. There are some fancy quivers out there these days including some that are actually on the bow itself! The truth is nothing beats the sleek look of a traditional archery side quiver.
Especially if you are using a traditional recurve or longbow, a leather quiver on your hip is almost mandatory. We’ve selected the high-quality traditional side quivers we could find that won’t break the bank.
4 Best Traditional Archery Side Quivers
Here are the best traditional archery side quivers that work well with every bow. Especially if you are using traditional bows, these quivers fit right in!
1. DOSTYLE Pure Handmade Traditional Archery Bow Quiver
This Dostyle Traditional Archery quiver bag is hand-made from pure leather. Securely hand-stitched, this is a durable piece of equipment.
With a diameter of 12 cm, the quiver can hold up to 40 arrows. This quiver has one very neat, and handy, feature; an arrow separator cord. An elasticized cord fixed to the inside of the quiver can be hooked over two studs on the outside of the opposite side of the tube.
This creates three separate compartments for carrying different types of arrows. This is a particularly useful feature if you’re hunting. You can carry an assortment of arrows for different types of game or arrows with different broadheads.
The quiver has dual adjustable shoulder straps. Although this may take a bit of getting used to, once you’ve got the hang of it, it is very easy to use. With a bit of trial and error, you should be able to find the optimum fit for you. And, the double strap mechanism holds it securely in place once fitted.
Should you prefer carrying your quiver with the arrows nearer to your hand, there is a belt clip. You, therefore, have the option of wearing the quiver on your hip.
The quiver can stand on its own, thanks to a sturdy flat bottom. This is particularly useful for stationary shooting where you don’t want the burden of the additional weight. Or the extra movement and energy expenditure of reaching back over your shoulder to select the next arrow. However, with its lightweight design, this quiver should never be a burden.
The quiver comes with an additional accessory pouch fixed to the front. The pouch is secured with a simple but durable adjustable leather cord. No zipper that can get stuck or break. Easy, no fuss, secure storage.
What we liked
- The large capacity tube. Never again miss that perfect last shot because you ran out of arrows.
- Durable and attractive quality handmade pure leather.
- Dual carrying mode. Can be carried on the shoulder or hip.
- Suitable for both left and right-handed use.
- Additional pouch for storage of small items like gloves or an extra string
What we didn’t like
- The arrows aren’t secured in the tube. If you’re carrying arrows loosely packed, they’re likely to fall out when you bend over.
2. KRATARC Traditional Archery Leather Arrow Quiver
With a polyurethane outer finish and soft leather on the inside, the Kratarc dual-use quiver offers the best of both worlds. The polyurethane provides a sturdy and durable exterior surface that can cope with heavy-duty usage. On the other hand, the soft leather inner lining keeps your arrows snug and protects them from scuffs and scrapes.
Featuring an adjustable shoulder strap, the quiver is suitable for left-handed or right-handed use. It is also a one size fits all quiver with an adjustable shoulder strap.
A belt clip gives archers the option of carrying this quiver at the waist. The offset straps on the belt clip hold the quiver at a convenient angle with the top of the quiver just forward of the shoulders.
The belt clip and straps are fixed, though. Archers with a smaller stature may find the bottom of the quiver hitting the ground or dragging.
It is rated to hold up to 24 arrows. The arrow compartment is divided into three sections by strips fitted just below the rim of the opening. A slanted opening facilitates the easy removal of arrows, particularly when the quiver is carried at the waist.
The quiver features a larger than usual supplementary storage compartment on the front. This is useful for a glove, stringing tool, or any other accessory you may need to take along. This pocket is secured with a sturdy synthetic zipper to safeguard the contents.
Overall, this is a superb quiver with great build quality and functional features. With its stylish design, precision workmanship, and subtle gray coloring, it’s also right up there in the looks department.
What we liked
- Sturdy and durable construction with heavy-duty polyurethane outer finish.
- Extra-large front storage pocket for gloves and other accessories.
- Dual-use design. Option to carry it over the shoulder or at the waist.
- Dividing strips create separate compartments for different arrows or broadheads.
- Soft interior lining and bottom help to protect arrows and tips from chips and scratches.
What we didn’t like
- The single shoulder strap. The quiver is not anchored firmly in position and may shift unexpectedly when moving around, for example, when hunting.
3. TOPARCHERY Traditional Shoulder Back Quiver
For elegance, capability, and resilience, the Toparchery Traditional Shoulder Back Quiver certainly ticks all the boxes. For toughness, this quiver is made from a three-layer composite sheet with an outer layer of cow leather and an inner layer of black canvas. Sandwiched in between these two layers is the third layer of hard leather that adds rigidity and extra strength. Essentially, this is like an armor plate.
The quiver is hand-stitched with high tensile synthetic yarn. The top and bottom of the quiver are triple stitched and the bottom is further reinforced with the fourth line of leather lace. All clasps and studs are metal. All in all, this is a very durable quiver that should give you years of trouble-free service.
The quiver is carried over the shoulder with a three-point fastening system. A fixed strap loops over the shoulder to a triangular clasp with two clasps. Straps connect the clasps, running under each shoulder, to clasps on the quiver.
This ensures a secure fit that will not move unintentionally. The adjustable straps make for a comfortable fit for all users, whatever your size or shape.
What we liked
- Understated elegance. A beautiful piece of workmanship is muted shades of brown.
- Solid construction with multi-layer leather and canvas casing.
- Auxiliary front storage pocket for gloves and other accessories.
- Three-point linkage for secure fastening. Quiver remains firmly in place when fastened correctly.
- Left or right-handed usage. This is easily changed by reversing the clasps to which the shoulder straps are clipped.
What we didn’t like
- No protection in the bottom of the quiver for broadheads or tips.
4. UNIVERSE ARCHERY Back Arrow Quiver
The Mona Lisa of quivers. This is a truly beautiful work of archery art. But, don’t be fooled. This is a perfectly functional quiver too.
This quiver is entirely hand-made in genuine leather and suede. The stitching is a combination of synthetic yarns and laced leather bindings. The result is a simple, lightweight, but extremely tough piece of kit.
With its single strap, the quiver can be worn on the left or right shoulder. The strap is adjustable and can be worn in any position based on the preference of each individual user. It is also suitable for use by archers of all sizes.
The generous 56 cm height and 12 cm diameter provide ample room for up to 24 arrows. You’ll never have to worry about running short of arrows again.
All things considered, the Universe Archery genuine leather and suede back arrow quiver is an eye-catching but highly functional quiver. Available in shades of natural brown, this will look and perform equally well on the target range or a hunt in the field.
What we liked
- Stunning good looks.
- Sturdy hand-stitched all-leather construction for long-lasting service.
- High-capacity arrow compartment.
- Simple adjustable shoulder strap for ease and flexibility of use.
What we didn’t like
- Does not have an external accessory pouch.
Picking the Best Traditional Archery Side Quivers
Here are the things you should look out for when choosing the best traditional side quivers for you.
Design
The first and most important detail is the design of the quiver. It seems like traditional side quivers have all been replaced with newer more practical ones. Although practical side quivers might be more convenient for hunting, they will never be able to match the design of a traditional quiver.
Although they have the same basic design, each side quiver has its own style. The 4 quivers we’ve selected above vary widely in design to help you pinpoint the one the most suits your preferences.
Price
Price is an important metric when picking out any of your archery accessories. Finding a quiver high-quality that won’t break the bank is getting more and more difficult these days. The 4 traditional archery side quivers listed above give you the most for your money.
There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars of a quiver. There are some great ones out there for a great price.
Durability
Archery is a very active sport. Whether you’re are taking practice shots in your backyard or hunting, you’ll need a durable quiver that’s going to last. Most quivers out there will do the job but you’ll need to buy a new one every year.
Make durability a priority when looking for a traditional side quiver.
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!
