Best Archery Accessories for Beginners: 8 Starter Picks for 2026

Farmington Bolt youth recurve bow, one of the best archery accessories for beginners

Just bought your first bow, or picking one out for a son, daughter or friend this Christmas? The bow is only half the kit. The best archery accessories for beginners are the small, inexpensive pieces that make every practice session more comfortable, more organized and more fun: something on your forearm, something on your fingers, and somewhere to keep your arrows.

This guide walks through exactly what a new archer needs, what can wait, and our picks from the GoGoGadgets61.com archery shelf, most of them under $30. Whether you shoot in the backyard, at a range, or at a club here in Florida, this is the starter list that covers the basics without wasting money.

Quick picks: best archery accessories for beginners

What archery gear does a beginner actually need?

Most coaches and archery shops agree on a short list for anyone shooting a recurve or traditional bow: an armguard for the bow arm, finger protection (a tab or a glove) for the drawing hand, and a quiver to hold arrows. Add a bowstringer, a set of arrows matched to your bow, and a target, and you are ready to shoot. Sights, stabilizers and plungers are nice upgrades, but they can wait until your form is steady.

The good news: the essentials are inexpensive. You can put together a complete starter accessory kit from the picks below for well under $60.

1. Farmington 9" Cordura Armguard ($18.99)

What it is: A 9 1/2" x 3 3/8" armguard made of tough Cordura nylon with four pull-adjust elastic buckle straps and a "String Saver Stave" in the lower section.

Why beginners like it: New archers often let the string brush the inside of the forearm while they are still learning to rotate the bow elbow. A longer, four-strap guard covers more of the arm, and the elastic buckles make it quick to put on and take off between ends. Nylon is easy to wipe clean after a dusty range day.

Best for: First-time adult archers, club beginners and anyone who wants full arm coverage on a budget.

See the Farmington 9" Cordura Armguard

2. Farmington 7.25" Suede Vented Leather Armguard ($20.99)

What it is: A dark brown suede leather armguard with adjustable Velcro straps. It is one size fits all and works for both right- and left-handed shooters.

Why beginners like it: Leather gives a classic, traditional look that matches wooden recurves and longbows, and the vented design is a smart choice for warm Florida afternoons. Velcro straps adjust fast, so it is easy to share between family members.

Best for: Traditional and recurve shooters who want a leather look, and households where more than one person will use the same guard.

See the Farmington Suede Vented Leather Armguard

3. Farmington Leather Hair Finger Tab ($15.99)

What it is: A finger tab with a cowhide facing for a slick release, a leather back plate and a rubber center pad for added protection and flexibility. A soft rubber spacer keeps your fingers from pinching the arrow nock against the bowstring.

Why beginners like it: Finger tabs are the most common choice for target recurve archery. A smooth facing helps the string leave your fingers cleanly, which makes it easier to build a consistent release. It comes in right- or left-hand versions and sizes XS through XL, so measure your hand before ordering.

Best for: Recurve target shooters, Olympic-style beginners and anyone joining a club or school archery program.

See the Farmington Leather Hair Finger Tab

4. Farmington Three Finger Shooting Glove ($17.99)

What it is: A suede and genuine leather shooting glove with reinforced fingertips and an adjustable wrist lace. Available in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large.

Why beginners like it: A glove stays on your hand when you reach for the next arrow, so there is nothing to drop or lose in the grass. Many traditional and instinctive shooters prefer the feel of a glove over a tab.

Best for: Longbow and traditional archers, backyard shooters and anyone who wants finger protection that is always in place.

See the Farmington Three Finger Shooting Glove

5. Infitec Starter Quiver ($16.99)

What it is: A simple two-tube quiver designed for recreation or practice. It has a convenient belt clip and is reversible for right- or left-hand shooters. Colors: black, blue and red. Free shipping.

Why beginners like it: It does one job well: it keeps your arrows at your hip instead of on the ground. Two tubes are plenty for a beginner shooting three to six arrows per end, and the belt clip means no extra belt to buy.

Best for: Brand-new archers, kids and casual backyard practice.

See the Infitec Starter Quiver

6. Infitec Challenger Olympic Target Style 3-Tube Quiver ($29.99)

What it is: An 18" standard target quiver with three arrow tubes of different lengths for arrow separation, two zippered outer accessory pockets and a bow square slot. Made of heavy-duty polyester in blue, black or red. Made in Korea, free shipping.

Why beginners like it: Once you start going to the range regularly, you need somewhere for your tab, spare nocks, a pencil and a score card. The zippered pockets handle that, and separate tubes help keep arrows from rubbing together.

Best for: Beginners who already know they love the sport, club shooters and anyone who wants a quiver they will not outgrow.

See the Infitec Challenger 3-Tube Quiver

7. Infitec Challenger Cushion Plunger ($19.99)

What it is: A cushion plunger described as a top-line plunger at a moderate price. It has a Teflon inner sleeve for smooth movement, a strong aluminum body and a smooth aluminum plunger cap. Thread size 5/16-24, available in black, blue, red and silver. Made in Korea, free shipping.

Why beginners like it: A plunger is usually the first tuning part a recurve archer adds after the basics. It is not a day-one must-have, but if your riser has a 5/16-24 plunger hole, this is an affordable way to start learning how to tune arrow flight. Ask your coach or local shop to help with the first setup.

Best for: Recurve archers moving from "just shooting" to target practice and tuning.

See the Infitec Challenger Cushion Plunger

8. Farmington Bolt 48" Take Down Youth Bow ($118.99)

What it is: A youth take-down recurve with a riser made from layered maple, walnut and oak, and maple-core limbs with white fiberglass faces and backs. The 48" model comes in 12 lb or 16 lb draw weights (right- or left-hand), with a maximum recommended draw length of 26". It includes a Dacron bowstring, sight and rest bushings, and a stabilizer bushing. Free shipping.

Why beginners like it: Light draw weights let young archers focus on form instead of fighting the bow, and the take-down design packs small for travel. The pre-installed bushings mean you can add a sight or rest later as skills grow. As the product notes, always use a bowstringer to string it.

Best for: Kids and young teens getting started, and a standout Christmas gift paired with an armguard, tab and quiver.

See the Farmington Bolt 48" Youth Bow

How to choose beginner archery accessories

  • Know your hand. Right-handed archers hold the bow in the left hand and draw with the right. Finger tabs come in RH or LH, so order the one for your drawing hand.
  • Tab or glove? Choose a tab for recurve target shooting and club programs; choose a glove for traditional or longbow shooting where you want it always on your hand.
  • Size it right. Tabs and gloves come in sizes. A tab should cover your fingertips without hanging far past them; a glove should be snug, not tight.
  • Start simple with the quiver. A two-tube hip quiver is all a brand-new archer needs. Move up to a 3-tube target quiver with pockets once you are at the range every week.
  • Save upgrades for later. Plungers, stabilizers and sights help once your form is consistent. Buy the essentials first.
  • Check compatibility. Before buying a plunger or other add-on, confirm your bow's thread size and bushings.

Sample starter kits

Under $55 starter kit: Cordura armguard ($18.99) + leather finger tab ($15.99) + starter quiver ($16.99) = $51.97.

Traditional starter kit: suede leather armguard ($20.99) + three finger shooting glove ($17.99) + starter quiver ($16.99) = $55.97.

Christmas gift for a young archer: Bolt 48" youth bow + Cordura armguard + finger tab + starter quiver, a complete ready-to-learn bundle.

Shopping for more gift ideas? See our gift ideas for men who have everything, and if you shoot outdoors around dusk, our guide to the best rechargeable flashlights covers lights that are just as handy for finding stray arrows as they are for storm season. You can also browse the full Sports & Fitness collection at GoGoGadgets61.com.

Frequently asked questions

What accessories do I need to start archery?

Most beginners need an armguard, finger protection (a tab or shooting glove) and a quiver, plus arrows matched to their bow, a bowstringer and a target. Sights, stabilizers and plungers can be added later once your form is consistent.

Should a beginner use a finger tab or a shooting glove?

Finger tabs are the usual choice for recurve target archery and club programs because they give a smooth, consistent release. Shooting gloves are popular with traditional and longbow archers because they stay on your hand. Both work; pick the one that fits your style of shooting.

Do I really need an armguard for archery?

An armguard is strongly recommended for beginners. While you are still learning bow-arm position, the string can brush your forearm or catch loose sleeves, and an armguard keeps it clear.

Which hand do I order a right-hand finger tab for?

A right-hand tab is worn on the right hand by archers who draw the string with their right hand and hold the bow in their left. Left-handed archers who draw with the left hand should order a left-hand tab.

How much should beginner archery accessories cost?

You can get a quality armguard, finger tab and quiver for under $60 total. At GoGoGadgets61.com, most beginner archery accessories are priced between $15 and $30.