Compound bow vs recurve bow: the differences and how to choose
Draw weight, releases, sights and your first lesson.
A compound bow uses cams and cables to reduce the weight you hold at full draw. This drop is called let-off. A recurve bow has limb tips that curve away from the archer. It has no let-off: you hold its full draw weight at your draw length. Compounds usually use a release aid and a sight; recurves use fingers, with a sight on Olympic recurve. Sources read November 10 and 11, 2026.
What changes between a compound bow and a recurve bow?
| Difference | Compound bow | Recurve bow | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draw cycle | Cams reduce the pulling force as you reach the draw stop. | Pulling farther raises the weight; there is no draw stop or let-off. | ATA comparison |
| What you hold at full draw | Less than the peak draw weight, due to let-off. | The full weight at your draw length. | ATA comparison |
| Usual release | A mechanical release aid holds and releases the string. | Fingers release the string; a tab protects them. | ATA comparison |
| Usual aiming | A sight; target compound uses a magnified scope. | Olympic recurve uses a sight. Barebow has no sight. | ATA beginner guide |
ATA says let-off can reach 90%. At that setting, a 70 lb peak draw weight leaves about 7 lb to hold while aiming: 70 × (1 − 0.90) = 7. You still pull through the peak weight. Do not choose either style from the draw-weight label alone.
Which bow is used for hunting?
Both styles are used for hunting. ATA describes hunters using compounds and recurves. Recurve hunters hold the full draw weight; compounds provide let-off. Hoyt lists the Enduro as a hunting compound and offers hunting packages.
Which bow should a beginner try first?
ATA explains the learning demands: a compound’s draw stop and release aid help repeat a shot. With a recurve, you must repeat the draw length and finger release yourself. There is no let-off to ease the hold.
Start with a bow your coach can fit and lend you. Then try both styles with a coach before you buy, if the club has both. USA Archery says most clubs taking part offer equipment for your first visit. Confirm what is available when you book. This is our advice based on its Try Archery guidance.
What must a fitter check?
For a compound, confirm the draw setting with the release aid you will use. For a recurve, check the weight at your own draw. The ATA explains the compound’s fixed stop and the recurve’s changing draw weight.
Ask the shop to measure your draw length rather than using an estimate to buy. Lancaster Archery recommends a shop measurement. Use the examples below to prepare questions. An anchor point is the place where your drawing hand meets your face; the ATA explains this hand-to-face contact.
Which catalogue bows show the fitting questions?
| Model | Documented point | Question for the fitter |
|---|---|---|
| Hoyt Enduro | 24–30 in draw | Which draw setting matches my anchor point with my release? |
| Diamond Edge XT | 19–31 in draw in the spec block. The maker page also says 13 and 23 inches of adjustment. But 31 minus 19 is a 12-inch span. | Does the module chart confirm my setting? Ask the dealer to resolve the maker’s conflicting text. |
| Bear Grizzly | 58 in AMO bow length; one-piece recurve | What is the measured weight at my draw? |
These examples show fitting questions. They do not rank the bows or confirm how any will shoot for you.
What should I bring to the first fitting?
Use this record during the session:
- Session or event I want to attend: ____
- Bow style I tried: ____
- Dominant eye and hand: ____
- Draw length (shop measured): ____
- Draw weight at my draw length: ____
- Release aid or finger tab used: ____
- Equipment to borrow: ____
- Next lesson: ____
Questions and answers
Is Olympic archery recurve or compound?
Recurve is already an Olympic bow style. Compound mixed team will join it at Los Angeles 2028. World Archery’s April 9, 2025 announcement lists the recurve individual, team and mixed team events alongside the new compound event. Its October 6, 2026 report confirms compound’s planned LA28 debut.
Can I hunt with a recurve?
Yes. ATA describes recurve bowhunting. A recurve has no let-off, so you hold its full draw weight while aiming.
Can a catalogue range confirm my fit?
No. Use the listed range to prepare questions, then have a shop measure your draw length and check the setup. Lancaster Archery recommends a shop measurement.
Next steps
- First bow fitting checklist
- Start target archery
- How to compare bow specifications
- Compare bow specifications
- Bear Grizzly specification analysis
Sources
- World Archery: Compound. Checked November 11, 2026.
- World Archery: Recurve. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Archery Trade Association: Compounds vs. Recurve Bows. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Archery Trade Association: Form Deep Dive: Anchor Point String Contact. Checked November 10, 2026.
- Archery Trade Association: Ultimate Beginners Guide to Archery. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Lancaster Archery Supply: How to Choose Your First Bow. Checked November 10, 2026.
- USA Archery: Try Archery. Checked November 10, 2026.
- Hoyt Enduro manufacturer product page. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Diamond Archery Edge XT product page. Checked November 11, 2026.
- Bear Grizzly manufacturer product page. Checked November 10, 2026.
- World Archery: Compound archery to make Olympic debut at LA28. Checked November 10, 2026.
- World Archery: First Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quotas awarded at Asian Games. Checked November 10, 2026.
Our conclusions and buying questions are editorial recommendations. Read how we label evidence.