Bows have existed for thousands of years, giving people an avenue to socialize and have fun. It also involves your body strength, which is a plus for people who love exercising. Recurve bows came about as an evolution of the traditional ones and are the exclusive choice for the Olympic archery.
They are made in a unique design that allows them to store more energy with every shot. Upon shooting, the arrow flies with greater velocity and strength. If you’re seeking to venture into archery, we will take you through various recurve bows.
We have independently researched and analyzed hundreds of recurve bows in the market that are compatible with any type of archery completions including Olympic and world archery championships.
So, our Best Olympic Recurve Bows don't mean they are official Olympic bows. We just reviewed and recommended the top-notch bows you can use in Olympic archery or any other tournaments. Let's check our list of top 5 Olympic-style recurve bows.
Table of Contents
What Are The Best Olympic Recurve Bows?
Before getting to the comprehensive review, we’ll give you a quick synopsis of what we have. It will keep you clued up about what to expect. Quickly, here we go.
1. Best Overall: HYF Archery ILF Recurve Bow
"This is our best pick overall because of its huge accessory set. The bow limbs are also highly elastic and sturdy."
2. Best for Beginners: BOSEN Foam Core Competition Bow
"BOSEN Foam Core comes with premium quality and favors beginners. It has room for customization depending on the need."
3. Best Premium: Sanlida Miracle X10 Recurve Bow
"Are you looking for the best recurve bow for competition? This one produces the highest torque."
4. Best Moisture Resistant: TBOW ILF Archery Competition Recurve Bow
"This bow is ideal for cold weather because it comes with a Gordon sheet for moisture protection."
5. Best Wood: SinoArt 68-Inch Competition Recurve Bow
"If you’re seeking to improve your shooting, you must attain a good grip, and this bow’s handle gives you just that."
5 Best Olympic Style Recurve Bows - Comprehensive Reviews
1. Best Overall: HYF Archery ILF Olympic Recurve Bow
- Designed for right-handed archers
- 1-year warranty
- Weighs 2.36 pounds
- Availed in 8 different colors
- Comes with 3 sizes (66, 68, & 70 inches)
- Comes with a draw weight of between 20 & 44 Lbs
- Employs the International Limb Fitting pocket system
- Comes with beautifully finished limbs and a riser
If you’re looking for a lasting Olympic style recurve bow with strong material, HYF Archery Recurve Bow is the right recurve bow for you. It comes with an adjustable draw weight depending on the need. To change the weight, you only need to remove or change the limbs and riser in a straightforward process.
We haven’t told you that its bow is made of aluminum alloy, which is famous for its versatility. It has high abrasion resistance, making it a perfect fit for all-weather use. Its material is also quite light, thus accommodating a broad range of archers.
Each component comes with a different material for added strength. The bow grip is wooden, while the limbs come with a fiberglass maple veneer. The package is beautiful and sturdy.
Coming with a full-year warranty means you can trust the bow’s quality. But, the manufacturer insists that you must observe the measures of use. Be cautious in your use and storage.
Exposing your bow and its elements to extreme wetness or heat may trigger damage. It is also advisable that you always evaluate all the elements for damage before going for shooting. Also, the package can be destructive, so novices and kids should never handle it without supervision.
Goods Sides We Found:
- It comes with a good grip for enhanced shoulder movement
- It is the easiest to carry around because the limbs are removable
- It is designed such that you can safely assemble and disassemble all the components
- All its features are a good deal for the price offered
The Downsides:
- It has fewer options for customization compared to other fits in the market
- Not suitable for novice archers
2. Best for Beginners: BOSEN Foam Core Competition Recurve Bow
- Has a right-hand orientation
- Available in the color black
- The bow measures 62 inches
- The brace height is 8 inches and the riser 19 inches
- The draw weight goes between 25 and 50 pounds
The BOSEN BOWS Foam core is the best beginner Olympic recurve bow you can find in the market today. It is highly resilient and affordable, not to mention its high customization abilities.
Like, it has room for weight adjustment, depending on the user. Also, its ILF limbs are not only durable but also easy to adjust.
Nearly every beginner will enjoy using this 62-inch long recurve bow for their practice. The limbs are reasonably resilient and will last the longest with proper care and maintenance.
The manufacturer gives you a 1-year warranty within which you can return the package if damaged. This is enough proof that the unit is high-quality.
Have we mentioned to you about the flexible and light limbs? Carrying them around will never be a problem whatsoever.
Again, a draw length ranging between 25 and 30 inches is not bad for intermediate archers. The draw weight also adjusts between 25 and 55 pounds. You only need to alter the bowstring tension to alter the weight.
Goods Sides We Found:
- It is highly durable as it comes with wooden limbs and a fiberglass veneer
- It comes with a perfect material that makes the riser ideal for all-weather use
- It has a comfortable grip that ensures an overly smooth draw
The Downsides:
- It is designed to suit the right-handers, leaving left-handers disadvantaged
3. Best Premium: Sanlida Miracle X10 Olympic Recurve Bow
- Available in color gold
- Comes with a 25-inch ILF riser
- Weighs around 2.9 pounds
- The bow length adjusts to 66, 68, and 70 inches
- The riser weight runs between 25 to 48 pounds
Sanlida is one of the best archery elements manufacturers known today. Sanlida Miracle X10 Olympic Recurve Bow, in particular, holds a special place in the industry. We consider it a far better option than a hoyt competition recurve bow, but that’s our opinion based on the research we did.
We’ve rated it our premium pick based on the reviews by buyers and the satisfaction they expressed. Sanlida is a high-end bow that every pro in archery will love. It comes with premium-quality material and components, guaranteeing value for money.
If you’re worried about breakage and having to replace your package soon, this should be the least of your worries. The bow is CNC-machined, a process that adds to its sturdiness. You can enjoy its durability for the longest time.
This pick may be expensive compared to others on our list, but it is for a reason. The amount of torque you experience when you draw plus the flexing is everything you would ask for in a recurve bow.
But, this may not be the best fit for beginners. First, the bow may feel heavy because you’re not used, which is not viable considering its cost.
But, for an experienced archer seeking to ace it, you cannot afford to overlook this package. It comes with many, yet specific items that you’ll find useful in your gaming.
Goods Sides We Found:
- The riser weight is highly adjustable for maximal convenience depending on the occasion
- The entire package is ready-to-use, meaning you assemble it and start shooting without incurring extra costs
- Highly durable as it is made from carbon layers and foam core
- Comes with an adjustable wooden handle to allow users to challenge themselves
The Downsides:
- Beginners may find the bow a bit heavy
4. Best Moisture Resistant: TBOW ILF Archery Competition Recurve Bow
- Comes in color black
- The riser is 19 inches long
- The bow weighs 3.3 pounds
- Brace has a height adjustment of 7.08 to 7.87 inches
- Right-handed orientation
- 3.3 lbs Bow Weight
- 19" riser length
Accuracy and speed are the two primary traits that TBOW competition recurve bow are known for. It is highly rated as one of the easiest to use bows, especially because of its pre-installed riser.
Disassembling it is very easy, and the parts are also light to transport. We are certain you will love this package that allows the users to adjust the draw weight significantly. This aspect makes it an ideal fit for people at different levels.
The draw weight adjustment ranges between 30 and 60 pounds, which is good enough for pro archers. Having an aluminum alloy bow is another aspect that ensures you get full value for your money.
The handlebar, on the other hand, has wooden material. Wood is not only good for an enhanced grip but also offers greater stability and control. That is everything an archer or even a hunter wishes for in a bow.
The attractive limbs that come in a variety of colors are something you will fall in love with. They are made of a synthesized material that will not bend even under the greatest pressure.
To make the string sharper and better for shooting, it comes waxed. You can unpack it from the box and head for your shoots right away. Not even a moist climate will expose them to the wear effect.
Goods Sides We Found:
- Comes with sturdy construction for durability
- Has a moisture-resistant Gordon linen covering
- Comes in several colors for users to select from
- The string comes with waxing for flexibility and high moisture-resistance
The Downsides:
- The limbs vibrate a little, so you may have to install limbsavers on the bow limbs if you’re uncomfortable
- Not suitable for left handy
5. Best Wooden: SinoArt 68-Inch Competition Recurve Bow
- Has a draw weight of between 18 and 36 pounds
- Comes with both right and left-hand orientation
- The bow measures 68 inches
- Has a maximum draw length of 32 inches
- Available in black
- 8.3-9.5" brace height
If you are a tall, ambitious archer seeking to perfect your archery skills, look no further. The Sinoart 68-inch recurve is reliably strong and affordable. It also comes with the best for added resilience.
Picking it for your practice is the best decision you can ever make. Sadly, the bow is not very accommodative of short people or kids despite being a wonderful pick. It favors people who are over six feet tall.
It may also not be the best competition recurve bow, but all beginners love its performance. At the same time, the bow can be effectively used for small game hunting.
Its draw weight cannot go past 36 pounds, meaning it is not ideal for medium and large animals hunting. An attempt to use it will only injure the animals and not kill them, which is cruel.
We realized that most people loved the fact that the bow comes as a complete package. As if that is not enough, all the elements are pre-drilled, making assembling a breeze.
We cannot overlook the bright riser and useful parts like the finger tab and arm guard. They all make this pick the best Olympic recurve bow for beginner.
Goods Sides We Found:
- It has a smooth, beautiful appearance that makes it unique
- It comes with a 2-pound increment to allow the users to improve focus and accuracy
- Assembling is easy because the manufacturer drills all the necessary holes
- All the required components are included in the package, no extras to buy
- Powerful yet affordable, making it ideal for all archery enthusiasts
The Downsides:
- The draw weight range is quite limited, disqualifying the pick for professional hunting.
Facrors To Consider While Buying An Olympic Recurve Bow
The biggest challenge for beginner archers is finding the right recurve bow. While choosing a Olympic recurve bow you should consider consider the below features.
1. Recurve Draw Weights
You should determine the ideal draw weight based on your sex and strength. In this case, an adjustable recurve bow will come in handy. Should the weight exceed your strength, you can adjust it to avoid getting overpowered.
2. Bow Size
Having the right bow size ensures you get a longer draw length. Basically, this is the string length that a bow can take. It’s also called the Archery Manufacturers Association (AMO) size.
3. Bow Weight
Archers have different weight requirements. Although these recurve bows are normally lightweight, some are heavier than others. If you intend to carry the bow around for a longer time, go for the lightest pick.
4. Material
Always consider the right material based on your preference. Some find wooden bows beautiful, while others prefer metallic ones. Also, those that come pre-drilled are the best because you won’t risk invalidating your warranty.
5. ILF Compatibility
It's one of the major factors to choose a competition recurve bow. When your ultimate goal is to be an olympic archer you should get a bow which has ILF compatible Limbs and Riser.
FAQs
If you’re an aspiring archer, you’ve to avoid getting the wrong choice of a to recurve bow. You may find these questions useful.
How Do I Determine My Bow Size?
If you know your draw length, this is easy. Your bow size should be at least double the draw length. Also, longer bows produce more accurate results, although your competence matters. For more about to choose proper bow size you may go through this article: https://archerycare.com/guide-to-choosing-the-right-recurve-bow-size/
Do Heavier Bows Have Greater Efficiency?
Heavier bows are firmer than their extra light counterparts. Light bows are known to experience an imbalance, especially when using sights and quivers.
What Is The Right Draw Weight For Beginners?
The draw weight is the energy you need to pull the bow fully. For beginners, a draw weight of 25 pounds will do, assuming you will not use it for hunting. Ideally, the minimum draw weight for game hunting should be 40 pounds. To get in-depth draw weight guide, read this article: https://archerycare.com/recurve-bow-draw-weight/
How Can I Match My Arrow With The Bow?
The first thing you do should be to determine your draw length. If you already have it, simply add 0.5 or 1 inch to that figure. The answer you get should be your maximum arrow length.
Final Verdict
The above recurve bows are among the best you can buy today. You will not regret investing your money in any of them. But, you should first determine what you want based on your prowess and needs. It’s the only way you will take home a befitting bow.
Once you buy, remember to take good care of your package. All sets come with a manual. Take caution and preserve all the elements well, limiting their exposure to the sun and moisture, and you’ll get full value for your money.
