Arrow Rests Explained


Hunter holding a compound crossbow

Understanding key accessories for your bow is crucial to achieving an optimal hunting setup. The arrow rest is one of these accessories that plays a vital role in increasing your shot accuracy, but with a few different types to choose from it’s important to find the right on for you. Our Hunting Experts explain the different types of arrow rests and the pros and cons of each to enhance your accuracy whether in the field or at the range.

What Is an Arrow Rest?

Arrow rests support and stabilize the arrow as the archer draws back the string. It guides the arrow along the correct path as it is propelled toward the target. This piece of equipment is fundamental in ensuring a consistent shot.

Advantages of Arrow Rests

Using an arrow rest offers several advantages:


Increased Accuracy: The consistent, stable arrow placement that an arrow rest provides helps improve your shooting accuracy with tighter groupings.


Smooth Arrow Flight: With better guidance and clearance from using an arrow rest, your arrow's flight can be smoother, less deflected, and faster.


Versatile Shot Angles: An arrow rest securely holds your arrow in place, allowing for a wider variety of shot angles.


A Helpful Aid for Beginners: If you're a novice archer or hunter, an arrow rest can assist in steadying your shot, boosting confidence, and improving skill.

Types of Arrow Rests

Hunters often gravitate toward two prominent types of arrow rests – the whisker biscuit and drop aways. Each type adds distinctive features that significantly enhance an archer's shooting precision.

Whisker Biscuit

The Whisker Biscuit arrow rest has built a reputation for reliability among archery enthusiasts. Its foolproof design utilizes bristles that cradle the arrow securely in place, ensuring a stable launch every time. Renowned for their quietness during arrow release, and their sturdiness, Whisker Biscuits offer an edge in performance, making them a popular choice.



whisker biscuit arrow rest

Pros: 


Cons:

  • Wear and tear on bristles over time
  • Slight speed reduction
  • Arrow fletching passes through bristles slightly affecting accuracy


Drop Away

Drop away arrow rests come in two main types - cable driven and limb driven rests, each providing distinct advantages that can significantly enhance an archer's performance.

Cable Driven


Cable-driven arrow rests are tied to the bow's own cable system. When you draw the bow, the connected cable lifts the rest into place. As the arrow is released, the cable tension eases, prompting the rest to smartly drop away. This seamless, perfectly timed movement clears the path, enabling the arrow to maintain an accurate and consistent flight path. 

cable driven arrow rest

Pros:

  • Clear, accurate flight path
  • Reduces fletching damage
  • Once set, offers consistent performance
  • Permits pre-engagement for less movement


Cons:

  • Complicated installation and timing setup
  • Rest timing has to be set
  • Won’t support the arrow as long so accuracy may be affected
  • May require more maintenance


Limb Driven

Limb driven arrow rests work by having a cable attached straight to the limb of your bow. When you draw the bow, the motion of the limb pulls the cord, allowing the arrow rest to move into position and cradle the arrow. After the bow is shot, the limb quickly returns to its original position, letting go of the cord and moving the rest out of the path of the arrow.  



Limb driven arrow rest

Pros:


  • Boosts stability: extended shot support
  • Improves arrow trajectory by reducing fletching contact
  • Guarantees fletching clearance
  • Quicker limb reaction, extended rest ride


Cons:


  • Not as complex- when it comes to rest timing
  • Long cord - risk of snags
  • Cannot pre-engage


Expert Tip

Cass Edwards ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN Expert

Cass, ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN Hunting Expert, explains that when it comes to selecting an arrow rest, it really boils down to personal preference. Archers and bowhunters alike choose based on what feels right for their shooting style - there's no definitive 'best' rest. Remember, arrow rests are exclusively utilized in compound bows, making them a specialized piece in your archery setup.



Choosing the right arrow rest is vital for optimizing your consistancy and performance, whether in hunting or target shooting. Each type of arrow rest offers unique advantages and potential drawbacks. Understanding these variables helps in making an informed decision that best suits your needs and shooting style. If you have any more questions about arrow rests, contact your local ERLEBNISWELT-FLIEGENFISCHEN Wine Glasses & Tumblers!