What to Wear to Your First Archery Session
What to wear to your first archery session
Archery has a few clothing rules that catch beginners off guard. Get them right and your first hour on the line is all shooting — no borrowed shoes, no snagged sleeves.
Fitted sleeves. Flat shoes. Clear string path.
Leave these at home
No open-toed shoes
Flip-flops, sandals, and Crocs are the most common "sorry, you can't shoot" items at the door. Bows, arrows, and dropped arm guards land on feet. Closed-toe athletic shoes are mandatory for every session.
Nothing baggy on your bow arm
The string travels past your forearm at roughly 200 feet per second. Oversized hoodies, dolman tops, and open cardigans catch it mid-release — a wide arrow at best, a bruised arm at worst.
Ditch the dangling jewelry
Long necklaces, hoops, and loose bracelets are snag hazards. At full draw the string sits close to your chest and face — anything dangling within six inches of the string path is a risk. Studs are fine.
The perfect first-session outfit
- Top: fitted, close-cut sleeveA t-shirt or athletic top that won't bunch when you raise your arm. Layer with a zip-up hoodie you can take off — not a pullover with floppy wrists.
- Bottoms: whatever you can stand inJeans, joggers, leggings, or athletic shorts all work. You'll stand at the line the whole hour — no running, jumping, or crouching.
- Shoes: flat and stableRunners, skate shoes, trainers. Skip heels and wedges — if your shoe rocks, your stance shifts, and so does your arrow.
- Hair: tied back if it hits your shouldersThe string path runs right along the side of your face. A low ponytail or bun takes 30 seconds and saves a painful tangle.
The bowstring doesn't care what brand you're wearing — it only cares what's in its path.
From the range floor
We keep a stash of hair ties at the front desk, because long hair plus bowstring equals a painful tangle. Loose hair gets caught, pulled, and occasionally snipped mid-shot — it happens at least once a week with first-timers.
What to bring — and what we provide
Worth having in your bag
- Water bottle — drawing a bow works your back, shoulders, and core.
- A thin long-sleeve layer — warm muscles perform better, and a fitted sleeve stays clear of the string.
- Your phone, on silent — you'll want a photo of your first grouping. A ring mid-draw flinches the shot.
- Patience — archery is technique, not strength. Most beginners hit the target face within six arrows.
Included in every session
- Recurve bow, sized to you
- Arrows
- Arm guard
- Finger tab
- An NCCP-certified coach for your group
Dressing for the Toronto commute
Winter
Wear a warm coat over your fitted shooting top. There's space to hang jackets and store boots at the entrance, and the indoor temperature stays consistent — layer up for the TTC or the drive, peel down at the range.
Summer
Same fitted-top rule applies — resist the loose tank top. The string path needs a clear forearm even when it's 30°C outside. The range is indoors and climate-controlled year-round.
Quick answers
Do I need special shoes?
No. Any flat, closed-toe athletic shoe works. Closed toes for safety, stable sole so your stance doesn't shift between shots.
Can I wear a hoodie?
Zip-ups are fine as a removable layer. Pullovers with loose sleeves aren't — the baggy forearm fabric catches the string on release.
What should female archers wear on top?
A fitted t-shirt or athletic top, nothing with flowing sleeves. A sports bra is recommended for comfort during the repetitive draw, but not required.
Same as axe throwing?
The shoe rule is the same. Archery adds the fitted-sleeve requirement, because the string runs directly along your inner forearm.