Written By Ron Parker
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If you are interested in traditional archery and want to make the jump to a longbow, our staff archery expert has put the best longbows on the market to the test and rated them on a number of criteria so that you can find the best longbow for your situation.
Our Top Picks
Best overall
Bear Montana
Best for Beginners
SinoArt Sparrow
Best budget
SAS Pioneer
The Complete List
Bear Archery is known for producing great bows for traditional archers and it's hard to find something not to like about the Bear Montana. With the simplicity and elegance typical of the Bear brand, it also has impressive power for a longbow: up to 60 pounds of draw weight. It manages to do this without being all that long either, at just 64 inches. This makes it an excellent choice for hunters since it has enough draw weight to be legal just about everywhere and is compact enough for traditional hunting in wild terrain.
The small size can also be nice for deer hunting in treestands, a ground blind, or even hobby shooting since it makes it easier to transport. However, it's worth noting that the lowest available draw weight is 35 pounds, which might be a bit much for non-lethal purposes.
Beyond its simple specs, though, the Montana is a high-quality bow that's durable and capable of lasting you a long time. Made of maple wood, the lamination is expertly done, so the tension remains consistent over years of use for better accuracy and power. Similarly, the grip is comfortable and easy to hold, yet it's also tough, great for use outdoors and in bad weather.
Above the grip, you'll find a bear hair arrow rest. This allows you to shoot from the shelf while minimizing friction. Shooting from the shelf like this is both more accurate and more in the spirit of traditional bowhunting.
What We Like
- High power
- Compact size
- Bear craftsmanship
- Tough grip
- Bear hair arrow rest
What We Don't Like
- High minimum draw weight
Bear Montana Longbow Review Video
The Bear Montana is our favorite longbow overall. It's an ideal choice for most purposes, from bowhunting big game in the wilderness to LARPing in town. Thanks to its durable design, typical of the Bear brand, it's a bow you can count on and one worth investing in if traditional archery is truly one of your passions in life.
PSE Oryx Longbow Review
The PSE Oryx immediately caught our attention with its long 68-inch design formed from quality wood in the style of an old English longbow. This gives it a 28-inch draw length that is appropriate for most archers and makes it accessible for beginners, women and teenagers.
Similarly, it has draw weights available as low as 30 pounds. This might not be enough to hunt legally in your state, but it is easier to learn on. If you want to hunt, you can get it with power up to 55 pounds.
We especially like the grip style. It's comfortable and instinctive, which helps beginners learn and prevents you from having to readjust if you're holding your aim for long periods while waiting for your quarry to come into range. Plus, it works for both right- and left-handed shooters. You don't even have to worry about choosing the right handedness, and the bow can be used by multiple different archers even if they have different dominant hands.
What We Like:
- Traditional design
- 30-55 pounds of draw weight
- Comfortable grip
- Right- and left-handed
What We Didn't Like:
- Basic lamination
- Heavy
The PSE Oryx is an effective hunting bow with enough power for big game. At the same time, it's affordable and accessible whether you're a beginner, on a tight budget or just casually interested in traditional bowhunting.
First of all, the Bear Ausable is a gorgeous bow made of unique but stylish bubinga wood. This beauty reflects the high-quality craftsmanship behind the bow. It's layered and laminated with black and white fiberglass that also matches the sophisticated design while providing consistent tensions over many seasons.
The reason this bow is our recommendation for hunting from a tree stand is that it's incredibly compact. At just 64 inches, it's as short as some recurve bows. This gives you more maneuverability and makes it easier to position yourself in your stand. You definitely don't want to bang your bow against the metal of your climbing tree stand when you stand up to aim, so this is a big advantage.
Keep in mind that this bow only comes in one draw weight: 45 pounds. This is right in the sweet spot and enough to legally hunt big game in most states without being overwhelming. You'll certainly need to practice your aim, but building that skill is what's so fun and rewarding about traditional bow hunting.
A nice touch that we really liked was the reinforcement of the limb tips. This lets you use a Dynaflight Flemish Twist bowstring, one of which is included with the bow. This high quality bow string resists stretching, so your shot is more consistent, and you can better practice and hone your accuracy.
What We Like
- Gorgeous design
- Durable craftsmanship
- Compact length
- Reinforced limb tips
- Flemish Twist string included
- Leather grip
What We Don't Like
- Only one draw weight
- Top-shelf price
If you hunt regularly from a tree stand and plan to do so for years to come, the Bear Ausable may just be the lifetime bow you've been looking for. An investment in your hunting career, it's both fun to shoot and accurate. Plus, we can't say enough about the beautiful traditional design combined with the leather grip.
The PSE Terra is similar to the Oryx but a bit more advanced. For one thing, it's more compact at 64 inches. This makes it a little easier to handle for smaller shooters such as women and teenagers.
Like the Oryx, the Terra is available in draw weights of 30 to 55 pounds in five-pound increments. This is an ideal range for bowhunting. Just make sure you check your local laws as you may need to get it with at least 35 or 40 pounds.
As for durability, the Terra is well-made, with a crafted riser and laminated limbs of both wood and fiberglass. It's an excellent choice for hunting outdoors, and the wooden grip stays relatively warm even in cold weather.
Overall, we found the Terra to be an accurate bow as well, though it does only come with a Dacron bowstring. Dacron is a tough material that resists stretch, but not quite as well as bowstrings like FastFlight or Dynaflight.
What We Like:
- Short length
- 30-55 pounds draw weight
- Wood and fiberglass lamination
- Ergonomic grip
What We Don't Like:
- Weaker bowstring
The PSE Terra is an accurate and effective bow for hunting game like whitetail deer. We particularly recommend it for archers of shorter stature like women or teenagers who have difficulty with normal longbows. It puts less pressure on your shoulder muscles for easier drawing and aiming.
AF Archery American Longbow
Another AF Archery beauty. The American Longbow is another quality handcrafted bow from AF Archery. Like the Tatar Recurve, the American Longbow has limbs made of bamboo and a black walnut riser, laminated with clear fiberglass for strength and durability.
Weighing a little over a pound, the American Longbow is a solid one-piece bow measuring 62 inches long. Appropriate for hunting or target shooting, this smooth shooting bow is actually a hybrid reflex/deflex longbow.
Perfect for draw lengths 28 inches and longer. The American Longbow only comes in right-handed orientation.
Ranging from 35 pounds to 55 pounds, the AF Archery American Longbow should give you enough speed to take big game like deer and elk.
While the string is a good quality D97, the serving length is too short on the provided string. Recommended serving length on traditional bows is 9 inches, but the serving on the provided string is about 5 1/2 inches.
What We Like
- Durable construction
- Multi-layered reinforced tips
- Comes with a good D97 string
What We Don't Like
- Accessories are not good quality
Overall, this is a great shooting, quality longbow. There are some minor defects and blemishes that occur either during the manufacturing process or in shipping. But the overall build quality is excellent for the price point.
Fleetwood New Frontier Longbow
The first thing you'll notice about this bow is its gorgeous traditional finish that accents the carved maple wood. While it's a fully developed longbow designed for serious game hunting, it would also make an ideal bow for roleplaying or traditional archery hobby shooting thanks to this classic look.
More importantly, the New Frontier has the power to hunt big game. Available from 29 to 55 pounds, it's powerful enough to legally hunt whitetail deer as well as elk and moose in most states. The higher power makes the bow more lethal for animals with thicker hides, but it also gives you better accuracy over long ranges, which is usually necessary for hunting game like elk in the wide open valleys of the West.
In fact, this is one of the most accurate longbows we've tested. This is also due to the cut-on center shooting shelf. This creates a straighter trajectory for your arrow and minimizes archer's paradox, which becomes even more pronounced when shooting over long ranges.
What We Like:
- Beautiful design
- Camo coloring
- Draw weight up to 55 pounds
- Cut-on center shooting shelf
- Reinforced limb tips
What We Don't Like:
- Right-handed only
If you want to hunt big game with a long bow, the Fleetwood New Frontier is one of our favorites. With a sleek traditional finish, cut-on center shooting shelf and high power, you can hunt actively and effectively even in tough terrain and over long distances. Plus, the reinforced limb tips allow for the installation of advanced bowstrings, and you even get a case for storage and transportation.
SinoArt Sparrow 54” Traditional Longbow
The most important thing to note on the SinoArt Sparrow is that it's just 54 inches long. That's… really small, especially for a longbow. At the same time, it's still available in draw weights of 30 or 35 pounds. This is a decent amount of power for such a small bow and in some cases, even enough to legally hunt whitetail deer. In other words, it's the perfect bow for kids, teens and women looking to get started with archery but still use their longbow for serious applications.
Additionally, it also makes sense for young beginners because it's affordable. Whether you're purchasing it for yourself or getting it as a gift for a beginner, it's not an excessive investment. This makes it a great way to get started with the sport even if you'll likely have to upgrade in the future. And if you decide you don't like archery after all, you haven't lost too much.
The package comes with the bow itself, a basic bowstring and a traditional arrow rest. While not a lot, it is enough to get started and learn proper form and aim.
What We Like:
- Short 54-inch AMO length
- Affordable price
- Traditional arrow rest included
What We Don't Like:
- Just two draw weight options
- Basic lamination
- No accessories
The SinoArt Sparrow is our excellent bow for young archers who aren't tall enough yet to take advantage of a full longbow or learn proper form on one. Similarly, it's also a good choice for smaller women who still want decent power for hunting or target shooting. Either way, it's an affordable option that's easy to learn on.
SAS Pioneer Longbow
The SAS Pioneer is surprisingly inexpensive for what you're getting, especially considering the SAS brand. In fact, for under $200, you get one of the largest ranges of draw weights we've found on a longbow. You can choose between 29 and 60 pounds in five-pound increments. In other words, the value for the power and craftsmanship is nearly unbeatable.
We also appreciate the unique design. The Pioneer has a particularly traditional design with a wrapped grip on the riser and padded arrow rest that allows you to shoot from the shelf for better accuracy while keeping in the spirit of traditional archery.
The bow is also quite durable for the price. The riser consists of makore wood and cassia siamea while the limbs are made from laminated maple and fiberglass. We found that this lamination maintains its tension over repeated use when compared to other budget models.
What We Like:
- Great value
- Large range of draw weights
- High power available
- Traditional design
- Quality lamination
- Right- and left-handed
What We Don't Like:
- Loses accuracy with high power
- Small grip
If you're on a budget but you still want a well-crafted bow that is available with a lot of power, this model from popular brand SAS is one of the few that meets that description under $200. Despite this low price, you can still get up to 60 pounds of draw weight in a quality bow that's designed for advanced archery applications.
RELATED: SAS Spirit Bow Review
Types Of Longbows
RELATED: Types Of Bows
American Longbow
Also referred to as a "flatbow," the American longbow has a rectangular cross section and wide, flat limbs that taper towards the tips. This design allows the bow to distribute stress over a larger area, which reduces hand shock, making the bow more comfortable to shoot. Additionally, American longbows often have high levels of power relative to their weight.
All these factors have caused the American longbow to be a go-to for beginners, though experts like it as well. It's an effective weapon for hunting and fun for target shooting.
English Longbow
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The English longbow played a major role in European history when it allowed the English army to defeat the French in several battles starting with Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War in the Middle Ages[1]. Made of yew wood and well over six feet in length, these Medieval bows were powerful but agile, and expert English bowmen could shoot several arrows a minute to take on cavalry and pierce the mounted knights' armor.
Today, the English Longbow maintains the same mystique it did 500 years ago. Many archers prize it for its simplicity, and enthusiasts turn to it for an authentic traditional shooting experience.
Reflex-Deflex Longbow or Hybrid Longbow
The hybrid longbow combines features of the traditional longbow and recurve bow. Because the limb tips curve away from the archer when unstrung, you may sometimes see it called a "reflex-deflex" longbow.
This type of design optimizes power while minimizing recoil and hand shock. This makes it more comfortable to shoot and cuts down on noise. Consequently, it's a favorite among traditional bowhunters.
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One Piece vs Takedown Longbows
Traditionally, longbows were always made from one piece of wood. Today, you may find one-piece longbows that are carved from a single piece of wood or that are made from several pieces of wood laminated together.
Either way, a one-piece bow generally has better integrity and durability than a takedown model. The downside is that you cannot change the draw weights, and you will need room to store its full length at all times.
A takedown longbow, on the other hand, allows you to change out the draw weight by replacing the limbs. This feature is especially great for beginners who may want to start with a more manageable draw weight and then work their way up to higher power.
Added bonuses to the takedown design include the ability to replace limbs if they get damaged or twisted and easier storage. You'll just have to be extra careful about stringing the bow and installing the limbs.
RELATED: Longbow vs Shortbow
Difference Between A Longbow And A Recurve Bow
Shape
The difference in shape between a longbow and a recurve bow is easily recognizable. A longbow makes a simple D shape with a continuous curve back towards the archer while a recurve bow's limbs curve towards the archer near the riser and then away towards the tips forming an S shape.
Size
Longbows are usually longer than recurves. While there are exceptions, standard modern longbows are around 68 inches, and standard modern recurve bows are around 62 inches. Many high-quality single-piece recurves are even shorter than this.
Click here for a guide to choosing a bow based on size.
Arrow Shelf
A traditional longbow, especially if it's of the English variety, does not have an arrow shelf at all. Instead, you have to rest the arrow on the hand that's holding the riser.
A recurve bow, however, typically comes with a built-in arrow shelf. This is a small ledge above the grip where you can rest the arrow before and during the draw. Many modern longbows include this feature as well, though it may not be as prominent.
Noise Level
Longbows are often much quieter than recurve bows because the lack of limb curvature minimizes vibration. For this reason, many still hunters who track game in the open wilderness love single-piece longbows.
Accessories
Many modern recurve bows have bushings that let you install accessories like sights, quivers, stabilizers, advanced arrow rests, etc. Although there are exceptions, most longbows don't have these bushings. Most traditional hunters don't use many accessories with longbows other than simple arrow rests.
Draw Weights
The recurve design normally allows for more power in a smaller package. Though modern materials have changed this somewhat, a recurve bow will be capable of much higher draw weights than a longbow of the same length.
However, keep in mind that recurves and longbows usually aren't the same length. The result is that many modern longbows have draw weights upwards of 60 pounds just like recurve bows. They just have to be longer.
Range
Traditional longbows were used in warfare and often have considerable ranges. Nevertheless, their simple design doesn't store and release energy as efficiently as that of a recurve bow. In other words, recurve bows are usually more accurate over a longer range, which can make them more effective in hunting scenarios.
What Can You Use A Longbow For
Traditional Archery
The longbow is arguably the defining piece of equipment when it comes to traditional archery. Enthusiasts enjoy the challenge and resulting reward that comes with mastering the longbow's simple but demanding design. It connects you with the history and spirit of the sport.
Bowhunting
Many bowhunters choose longbows because of their quiet nature and elegant minimalist design. While they don't provide the power of modern compound bows, the challenging nature of the longbow adds sport to the hunt and requires practice and patience that is all the more rewarding when you finally take down your trophy buck.
Target Shooting
The longbow is less popular than the recurve bow for competitive target archery, but it can still be a fun choice for recreational shooting. Not only are longbows fun, but they're usually less expensive as well, so they make for a more affordable hobby.
Click here for our guide to the best Archery Targets.
Reenactments and Roleplaying
Because of the longbow's significance in history, particularly the Middle Ages, many enthusiasts use it in reenactments, historical events and LARPing[2]. Their aesthetic matches the style and spirit of these events.
Pros And Cons Of Hunting With A Longbow
Pros
- Quieter: Longbows produce less vibration and therefore less noise. This means your quarry is less likely to startle and throw off your shot. It also means you may not need bow string silencers.
- Challenging and rewarding: Successfully bow hunting with a longbow requires practice and skill. This makes that success all the more rewarding.
- Connection with nature: Longbows often mean still hunting through the wilderness and getting as close to your quarry as possible. This primal way of hunting is thrilling and connects you with the natural environment around you.
- Lightweight: With their simple design, most longbows are lightweight and maneuverable. This makes them easier to carry into the woods.
- Low maintenance: Longbows have very little to them. It's much less likely that you'll have some problem while hunting that requires maintenance or stops your hunt altogether.
Cons
- High skill requirement: You likely cannot and ethically should not try to hunt with a longbow without a lot of practice first. Accurately landing a lethal shot with a longbow must be done at short range and requires considerable skill.
- Limited range: One of the main reasons longbows require so much more skill is that their effective range is much less. You must often be within 20 yards of your quarry to shoot accurately.
- Size: Longbows are, well, long. This makes them harder to maneuver in thick brush and also produces more torque when you shoot, further making accuracy difficult.
- Limited customization: Most longbows do not have many options for accessories like sights, stabilizers or mounted quivers. These accessories can be helpful when hunting, but with a longbow, you must rely primarily on your own skill.
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Final Thoughts
A longbow is more than an elegant piece of archery equipment. It's a connection to history and tradition that's fun for many applications from bowhunting big game in the deep wilderness to Medieval LARPing with your friends. Our absolute favorite longbow is the Bear Montana, but we recommend considering your specific purposes and reading through the relevant views to find the best model for your situation.
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