What is an arm guard? This article is going to teach you why this piece of archery equipment is a must, as well as what you should look for when looking to buy one. You will also be able to find a list of the best archery arm guards in 2020.
If you have just started your archery journey, there is no doubt you may have clipped your forearm when releasing the arrow. This can be very painful and can result in some really impressive bruises, if you have not hit your arm yet then you are very lucky!
To prevent this you are going to want to get an Arm Guard, these cover the forearm that holds the bow. The idea is to prevent the bowstring from hitting your arm and causing an injury.
What is an Archery Arm Guard For?
No matter what your experience is with archery, one thing that all archers have in common is the pain felt when you experience a string slap. This is when you shoot an arrow and the bowstring slaps your arm, causing an uncomfortable and very painful bruise.
The only way you can prevent this from happening is by wearing an arm guard. The guard goes over the forearm, so when you shoot an arrow the string hits the guard instead of your skin. As well as preventing injuries, arm guards can also help prevent loose clothing nocking the arrow of course by getting caught by the bowstring.
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SAS 8″ Armguard Archery Bow Range
- 8″ Arm Guard with 3 Straps
- Vented to Provide Proper Air-flow to Cool Your Arm
- Durable Arm Guard for Archery
Best Archery Arm Guard 2022 – Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Technical Spec. | Price |
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Our Top Pick
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SAS 8″ Armguard Archery Bow Range with 3-Strap Buckles (Black) |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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Allen Company Mesh Archery Armguard, Medium Green |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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ArcheryMax Handmade Black Leather Arm Guard Bow Hand Shooting Glove |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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OMP Mountain Man 2-Strap Ventilated Leather Suede Arm Guard |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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Sportsman’s Outdoor Products Tarantula Sleeve Wrap Armguard (Camo) |
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Check Price On Amazon |
Best Archery Arm Guard 2022 – Reviews
1. Our Top Pick: SAS Archery Arm Guard
AS Archery are a very well-known company in the archery world, they are known for producing high quality products at great value. The SAS Arm Guard comes in both 8 and 11.5”, and goes around the entire arm.
I do think it is one of the best looking guards and I really like the black color, perfect if you are looking for a bit of stealth. It is an arm guard that is very adjustable as it features three straps, so it should fit most if not all arm shapes and sizes.
I didn’t experience much sweat from wearing this guard as it features 4 air holes to help with circulation. I also found the material to be comfortable and the surface is also really smooth, helping the bowstring to not slap against it.
2. Allen Company Mesh Arm Guard
The Allen Company Mesh made my list of best archery arm guards because it is one of the lowest priced ones, however it is also made to a good quality. The mesh on the outside is fairly hard but smooth so it doesn’t cause issues if the arrow hits it. The inside that goes against the skin is soft, so it shouldn’t cause any irritation. The meshing also helps to provide circulation of air to reduce sweat.
This Arm Guard has been specifically made for youth archers and has a decent amount of adjustment so it can continue to be used as they grow. It features two straps one at either end, these are also made from soft material so won’t cause any pinching.
Personally I love the design, it’s very stylish and available in several different colors. If you are looking for a good quality, low cost yet durable arm guard to offer your child the right protection, this one is the best choice.
3. ArcheryMax Handmade Leather Arm Guard
The ArcheryMax Archery Arm Guard is a unique one when compared to the others in this list, as its not just there to protect the arm but also acts as an archery glove. It helps to over protect the palm, reducing potential discomfort from holding the bow.
What I really like about this guard is that it is very comfortable to wear and also very lightweight. In terms of quality, for the price its really well made and is very adjustable. It is also adjustable by using the lacing along the outside.
I really love the style of the ArcheryMax, as it looks very traditional and reminds me as to what they would have worn many years ago. This arm guard would be perfect for those shooting a wooden recurve or a traditional long bow. It comes in two different colors, a brown or black leather. You can get it for left handed or right handed shooting. The main drawback is because it provides full arm protection there is little air flow, resulting in your arm getting sweaty if worn for a long time.
4. OMP Mountain Man
One of the most important things for me when looking for the best archery arm guard is that its comfortable, the OMP is an excellent choice. Leather can result in your arm getting too warm and sweaty, as this one is made from suede that is reduced. It also features a vented design to reduce this even more. It’s a decent size at 7 inches, so most people will be able to wear it comfortably.
It is adjustable with two velcro straps, making it very easy to put on and take off. It did catch the hair on my arms a couple of times and with continued use the velcro does begin to wear. Since it uses velcro and not a buckle, it can slip down the arm with continued use.
Whether you are new or experienced in archery, the OMP Mountain Man is a perfect choice. Low price, comfortable and of great quality.
5. Tarantula Sleeve
The Tarantula sleeve is the last in my list of best archery arm guards, but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. It’s a very good guard that offers complete protection of the forearm. You should be able to wear this guard for a decent amount of time, as it offers good airflow and ventilation.
This guard is created for those that have bigger arms as it is 8 inches long, and offers adjustable straps. I like that this one can be comfortably worn over clothing, perfect for those cold days/nights when you’re shooting. The straps also have buckles on them to ensure that when it’s fastened it is secure and don’t have the risk of it slipping.
In terms of quality, it’s made from good materials and is very durable. In fact the manufacturer does offer a lifetime warranty, which shows how confident they are in the durability.
Best Archery Arm Guard 2022 – Buyers Guide
When looking for an archery arm guard, you want to make sure it is going to be the right one for you. Below I have gone into details on different things to consider, hopefully helping you find one that would suit you and your needs.
How Long Does The Arm Guard Need to be?
The length of the arm guard is important, as you need to make sure it covers your forearm. If it doesn’t cover the entire length, you run the risk of getting string slapped again and suffering from an injury.
There are two different types of arm guards, a full length one which covers the entire arm. They are normally between 10-12 inches. These ones are much better for beginners as they help to over more protection.
There is then the standard archery arm guard that simply covers the forearm, both are just as good as each other. Normally these standard guards will come in two sizes, either 7 or 8 inches although children’s ones are a bit smaller.
The Material That Its Made From
There are a couple of different types of material that these arm guards are usually made from. Leather is still the most popular and this is understandable as it gives you that traditional look and feel.
It’s not just the looks of these arm guards as to why they are very popular, they are very smooth and durable which means they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives. If you have sensitive skin then leather will help to prevent irritation and as its natural and breathable, you will experience less sweating.
There are also many different archery arm guards that are made from vinyl, plastic and even a mesh material. These are lightweight and do offer some protection and comfort, although they don’t tend to fit as snug and as comfortably as a leather one. They are however cheaper, so if budget is a consideration then you might be better with one of these types.
Sizing
If you use an arm guard that is too small, it’s not going to fully cover the forearm and therefore you run the risk of injuring it. In terms of length, you want to measure the space between your wrist and elbow. Divide this by two and then add 2 inches, this should give you the length that you need.
When it comes to the width, you want to see how big the widest part is. Most arm guards do come with adjustable straps, so you should ideally go with one that is bigger. You don’t need to worry too much about sizes as most arm guards used in archery are a “one size fits all”.
If you do have larger or smaller arms than average, it might be worth measuring and seeing if you can get one that is adjustable.
Handedness
Most of the arm guards you come across will be suitable for both left and right handed archers, some specific brands might have a left or right handed version but this is not really something you have to worry about.
Price
The final thing to think about is price, as you don’t want to spend too much. At the same time you don’t want a really cheap one that is made from poor quality material or is not very durable. More often than not you are not going to spend too much on an arm guard, the more expensive ones tend to be from leather but these are worth it.
SAS 8″ Armguard Archery Bow Range
- 8″ Arm Guard with 3 Straps
- Vented to Provide Proper Air-flow to Cool Your Arm
- Durable Arm Guard for Archery