Riser, limbs, plunger, extra weight: the full barebow gear list without sight or stabiliser — and why it's often cheaper than recurve equipment.
„What do I actually need for barebow — and what am I not even allowed to bolt on?" Short answer: surprisingly little. A riser with limbs, an arrow rest, a plunger, a tab and a fixed extra weight — that is basically it. No sight, no stabiliser set, no clicker. Which makes barebow the cheapest bow discipline you'll find at DOMISPORTS.
For the riser, most beginners go with 25 inches, taller archers sometimes 27 or 29. For draw weight, the same rule applies as everywhere in archery: start light. Beginners are best off with 25 to 30 pounds — to put that in perspective: it's roughly like holding a full travel bag at arm's length while trying to aim at the same time. Top competitive barebow archers usually shoot 35 to 40 pounds — noticeably lighter than many recurve competitors, because in barebow technique counts for more than raw draw force.
### 1. Match riser length and draw weight to you 25 inches is the standard for most adults, taller archers go for 27 or 29. On draw weight: better too light than too heavy to start. Work up slowly from 25–30 pounds — a bow that is too heavy forces you to tense up right before you have even learned clean technique.
### 2. Plunger and arrow rest as your fine-tuning tools Without a sight, you cannot visually correct left-right misses — that job falls to the plunger. It controls how the arrow „bends" around the riser on release (the archer's paradox). A sturdy arrow rest is essential, because in string walking your draw finger constantly changes position, which creates more friction and wear than a fixed finger placement.
### 3. The tab as your measuring instrument Your tab needs string-walking marks — small scales that let you reproduce your exact finger position on the string for every distance. Without them, you are guessing anew on every shot where your finger should sit.
### 4. The extra weight — your only „stabiliser" equivalent What's allowed is a fixed weight on the lower riser end, with no rods, no dampers, up to about 28 ounces. It balances the bow between upper and lower limb but — unlike a real stabiliser — does not dampen vibration. Check that it's seated firmly before every session.
### 5. What barebow saves you A barebow setup works unchanged across indoor, field, 3D and target archery — nothing to swap between disciplines. And because the sight and the entire stabiliser set disappear completely, entry-level gear is noticeably cheaper than for recurve.
Without a clicker, there is no mechanical stop for your draw length — you have to hold it steady purely through your feel for the anchor. Never keep pulling „just in case" because the shot doesn't feel right yet; that leads to overextension in the shoulder joint. Also regularly check that plunger and extra weight are seated firmly — both are moving parts without the locking mechanisms of a modern stabiliser system.
If you're torn between two riser sizes, go with the longer one (27–29 inches). A longer riser gives you noticeably more stability in the bow hand when string walking puts your finger far down the string — an advantage recurve archers with a stabiliser never need, but one that's worth every point in barebow.
### How heavy should my draw weight be as a barebow beginner? 25 to 30 pounds is the recommended starting point. Increase in small steps once stance, anchor and release feel solid — better to shoot light for a few extra weeks than tense up too soon.
### Do I need a kisser button? No — it is explicitly banned under the barebow rules. Your anchor has to come entirely from hand and face contact, with no extra aid on the string at all.
### Is barebow gear really cheaper than recurve? Yes, noticeably: the sight and the entire stabiliser set disappear, and those make up a large share of a recurve setup's cost. At its core you only need a riser, limbs, arrow rest, plunger, tab and one extra weight.
### Can I use my recurve riser for barebow? Usually yes — the riser itself is identical, you just remove the sight and stabiliser. Just make sure the complete setup then fits through the 12.2 cm control ring.
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