Arrow selection is one of the most overlooked decisions in barebow archery. The right shaft material, spine, and weight dramatically affect accuracy, consistency, and how well you can tune for string walking or face walking. Unlike Olympic recurve where the setup is more standardized, barebow shooters have to account for crawl distance, point weight, and shaft stiffness in ways that compound and Olympic recurve archers don't. This guide breaks down the best arrows by type — carbon, aluminum, and wood — so you can match your shaft to your shooting style and setup.
Carbon
Easton Carbon Legacy 400 4" Feather Helical (6pk)
CompetitionBest carbon arrow for barebow competition
The Carbon Legacy pays tribute to the history of archery with a realistic wood grain carbon finish and helical feather fletching. Built for traditional recurve and barebow use with 4" left wing helical feathers for excellent clearance. Available in multiple spines to match your setup.
Pros
- 4" helical feather fletching for clearance
- Realistic wood grain carbon finish
- Multiple spine options available
Cons
- Higher price per arrow
- Only sold in 6-packs
Easton Carbon Legacy Shaft 400 (12pk)
DIY BuildBest carbon shaft for barebow — build your own
The bare Carbon Legacy shaft lets you build arrows to your exact length and fletching preference. Straightness tolerance of ±.006" and pre-installed aluminum RPS inserts. The standard-diameter .244" ID works with most conventional points and bushings.
Pros
- Build to exact length and fletch preference
- Pre-installed aluminum RPS inserts
- .244" ID fits standard points
Cons
- Requires DIY assembly
- Nocks and points sold separately
Aluminum
Easton X7 Eclipse Aluminum Shaft 2114 (12pk)
TrainingBest aluminum shaft for barebow training
The X7 Eclipse is built from 7178-T9 alloy with a straightness tolerance of ±.001" — tighter than most carbon shafts at this price. The hard anodized black finish resists wear, and aluminum allows straightening if bent. The 2114 spine suits most barebow setups in the 30-45 lb range.
Pros
- ±.001" straightness — tighter than most carbon
- 7178-T9 alloy — straightenable if bent
- Hard anodized black finish resists wear
Cons
- Heavier than carbon — slower velocity
- Nocks and points sold separately
Easton XX75 Tribute Aluminum Shafts 1416 (12pk)
BeginnersBest entry aluminum shaft for recreational barebow
Durable and economical XX75 alloy shafts built for beginning and lighter draw weight archers. Straightness tolerance of ±.005" covers recreational barebow use well. Hard anodized black finish with BJ nock pre-installed. A solid step up from fiberglass at a budget-friendly price.
Pros
- XX75 alloy — straightenable if bent
- Hard anodized black finish
- Budget-friendly entry price
Cons
- Requires DIY assembly
- Nock and points sold separately
Wood
Rose City Archery Port Orford Cedar Bare Shafts 45-50# (12pk)
TraditionalBest cedar shaft for traditional barebow
Hand-selected Port Orford Cedar shafts spine-sorted to ±5 lbs. The 11/32" diameter and 45-50# spine covers most traditional barebow setups in the 40-50 lb range. Rose City has been making arrows since 1932 — one of the last American cedar arrow makers.
Pros
- Spine-sorted to ±5 lbs
- 11/32" diameter fits standard points
- Rose City's 90+ years of craftsmanship
Cons
- Requires regular inspection for cracks
- Not for draw weights over 55 lbs
Rose City Archery Cedar Hunter Elite 11/32" 40-45# (12pk)
Instinctive ShootingBest finished cedar arrow for barebow traditionalists
Hunter Elite arrows come fully finished with a mahogany stain shaft, Bohning nock, and 5-inch shield cut turkey feathers. Grain-weighed to ±10 grains for consistent weight across the dozen. A complete traditional arrow built for instinctive barebow shooting.
Pros
- Grain-weighed to ±10 grains per arrow
- 5" shield cut turkey feathers
- Fully finished — ready to shoot
Cons
- Higher price than bare shafts
- Colors vary by batch
Frequently Asked Questions
What spine should I use for barebow?
Spine depends on your draw weight, draw length, and arrow length. Most barebow shooters use a dynamic spine calculator as a starting point, then paper tune from there. Barebow arrows typically need to be stiffer than standard recurve spine charts suggest because string walking effectively increases the bending stress on the arrow. When in doubt, go slightly stiffer — you can tune a stiff arrow more easily than a weak one.
Are carbon or aluminum arrows better for barebow?
Carbon arrows are lighter, faster, and more consistent batch to batch — ideal for competition and serious target shooting. Aluminum arrows are heavier, which some barebow shooters prefer because shorter crawl distances are easier to manage at longer ranges. Both work well for barebow. Beginners often find aluminum more forgiving during the learning phase.
How does arrow spine affect string walking in barebow?
String walking changes the effective bending moment on the arrow shaft. The further down the string you crawl, the more stress is placed on the arrow as it clears the bow. This means arrows tuned for a split-finger anchor may behave differently when crawling to lower positions used for longer distances. Tuning at your most common crawl position is the practical starting point.
Can I use wood arrows for barebow competition?
Yes, in traditional and instinctive divisions. Most modern barebow recurve competitions under World Archery and NFAA rules allow carbon and aluminum only in the standard barebow division. Traditional divisions typically allow wood. Check your specific event rules before committing to wood for competition use.
How many arrows should I buy as a barebow beginner?
A minimum of 6 arrows, ideally 12. Beginners lose and break arrows more frequently during the learning phase, and having a full dozen lets you shoot longer sessions without constant retrieval. Buy a few spares from the same batch to replace broken shafts without retuning.