Archers and bowhunters have specific preferences regarding their equipment. Good equipment allows precision and aims at their targets with ease.
The bowstring plays a vital role for bowhunters and archers, and it is an integral part of their equipment. It comes in different colors for an archer to choose from. Many people find it difficult to determine the right color for their bowstrings.
A few factors, such as visibility, light, and camouflage, play a crucial role. The color of the bowstring also plays a critical role for the archer while they aim. In simpler terms, it is accepted that red is the best color for a bowstring. Other color options include: white, black, yellow, twisted colors, blue, orange, green, and more.
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Color Options for a Bowstring
In ancient times, white was the preferred color for a bowstring. However, like humans, the color of bowstrings has changed over time. We look at the different options that archers and bowhunters have in terms of colors. Some of the color options are as follows:
- Red
- White
- Black
- Yellow
- Blue
- Orange
- Green
- Dark Purple
- Twisted Colors
- Multi-colored
Each option is often a personal or professional choice for someone handling the bow. However, red is the most used color because of its advantages over other color options. We look at the different colors and what they have to offer below.
Red Bowstrings
It is accepted and proven that red is the best color for a bowstring. It is due to the visibility it provides in various conditions. You can easily spot a red bowstring in the daytime or nighttime, and you can use this color for indoor and outdoor practice.
You can also identify when the red bowstring needs cleaning. Moreover, the red bowstring is compatible with bows of any color. It matches very well and never looks out of place either. So, apart from visibility, you also get great looks when you use a red bowstring.
You would often see bowhunters, archers, and people practicing for competitions using red bowstrings. It is after they have considered or experimented with the various colors offered to them to choose from.
One downside of using red bowstrings is the lack of camouflage they offer. If you are a hunter, red might not be the best option, and it can give up your position even during times of low light or nighttime. So, keep in mind to choose the red string depending on the situation and use.
White Bowstrings
The benefit of the white bowstring is that you can easily realize when cleaning is necessary. Any dirt on a white bowstring would show up with ease. Indoor and outdoor visibility of the white bowstring is decent. However, you tend to lose your camouflage factor with white.
The outdoor visibility of the white bowstring is also awful. So, often archers and bowhunters prefer not to use this for hunting purposes. The white color would give away their positions easily. So, you should select this color only if your personal preference is white.
Black Bowstrings
The indoor visibility factor and camouflage are good when using a black bowstring. It can be used for target practice in an indoor facility and provides precision. Hunting using a black bowstring is also a good idea as it delivers good camouflage.
You cannot identify when the bowstrings need cleaning, and it is due to the black color, which does not show the dirt that has accumulated over a while. The visibility of the black bowstring in an outdoor daytime setting can be decent but not excellent.
The black bowstring is not ideal for nighttime use in an outdoor setting. Therefore, you should consider these things before choosing a black bowstring for your bow. If you do not want to clean your bowstring often, it might be better to choose this color.
Yellow, Blue, Orange, and Green Bowstrings
We have listed all of these colors in one list as they have the same features. When dirty, all these colors are easy to spot. The indoor visibility factor of these colors is decent in most cases. However, the outdoor visibility is relatively poor for any of these colors.
While hunting, bowhunters, and archers prefer not to use these colors. It is due to the lack of camouflage they offer. Any of the colors we mentioned can be spotted with ease. It makes hunting impossible during the daytime and night.
Due to that, archers or bowhunters often do not choose these. It is after they considered the various disadvantages that come with these colors. Some have even experimented before concluding not to use any of the colors that we have mentioned.
Dark Purple Bowstrings
If you are practicing in a well-lit place, dark purple can be a good option. The target’s face does not have a dark purple circle, making it easier to spot or aim using the dark purple bowstring. You cannot recognize when the bowstring needs cleaning because of its dark color.
The other major issue is the looks offered. In most cases, dark purple would be hard to match with most bows as it would look odd. So, choosing this often is not recommended. Moreover, this is a rare color and may not be found on the market.
Bowstrings in Twisted Colors or Multicolor Bowstrings
Red and black combinations or black and white are common with archers. Sometimes, they even use a three-color combination. These are used to achieve two different parameters in a single bowstring made of twisted colors.
Archers who are practicing in competitions do not go for these combinations. Bowhunters are often known to use them as a personal preference. These combinations can often be handmade or available only through selected manufacturers.
Useful Recommendations for Bowstrings
- The weight of the bowstrings can vary between 25 and 40 lbs. It is determined by the number of strands the string is made of. The number of strands can vary anywhere between 12 and 16, depending on the number of strings you want. It can fluctuate with different manufacturers as well.
- If you want a bowstring that is light in weight, you have to compromise on the number of strings offered. It is a personal preference and greatly depends on the comfort level and the purpose the archer uses the bow and arrow for.
- Consider purchasing a few affordable bowstrings in different colors available in the market. It would allow you to experiment with ease. Once you decide on the color of the bowstring that best suits you, it is easier to go for a much costlier design.
- Once the final decision is made, do not compromise on the quality of the bowstring. Compromising on quality directly means frequent changing of bowstrings.
- Seek advice from expert archers or bowhunters. They would provide a perspective on the best option, depending on the purpose it is likely to serve.
Conclusion
The final verdict is that red is the best color for a bowstring. The conclusion is based upon the greater advantages and different features. Unless you have a specific personal preference, you should choose a red bowstring.
It should be relevant to the color of the bow that you possess. You may wish to experiment with different colors before you choose your preference. After all, bowstrings do not cost a fortune, and it is always easy to replace one.