Arm guards: sizing, fit and why bruises happen
Notes from the counter at Extreme Archery in Mamaroneck, NY.
The bruise is a technique signal
String slap usually means a hyperextended elbow or a bow arm rotated so the inner forearm sits in the string path. An arm guard stops the bruise but does not fix the cause.
Rotating the elbow slightly outward is the standard correction and it is worth learning early.
Coverage versus mobility
Short guards cover the inner forearm; long guards continue past the elbow. Beginners and anyone shooting in loose sleeves benefit from the longer version.
Once form settles, most archers move to a shorter guard for comfort.
Fit should be firm, not tight
A guard that rotates on the arm will present an edge to the string, which is worse than no guard. It should not be able to spin.
Elastic strap systems handle varying clothing thickness better than fixed buckles.
Material choice
Rigid plastic sheds the string cleanly and lasts. Leather is quieter and more comfortable but wears. Mesh guards breathe well in summer and are the usual choice for hot ranges.
For a first guard, rigid plastic is the least fussy.
Sleeves and loose clothing
Most string slap incidents involve loose sleeves rather than skin. A guard that also flattens the sleeve is doing two jobs.
This is why longer guards are recommended for winter shooting.
When to stop wearing one
Never entirely. Even archers with excellent form wear a guard for the one shot in a thousand that goes wrong, and for the clothing issue.
It is cheap insurance against a very unpleasant welt.
Where this sits in the shop
Extreme Archery groups its stock into 5 categories, so most of what is discussed above lives in one or two of them:
- Arm Guards and Protection — 2 items
- Arrows and Targets — 8 items
- Bow Strings and Wax — 3 items
- Finger Tabs and Gloves — 8 items
- Tools and Accessories — 5 items
Browsing by category is usually quicker than searching, because the groups follow how the goods are actually used rather than how a supplier lists them.
The largest group at the moment is Arm Guards and Protection with 2 items, and the smallest is Tools and Accessories with 5. Those counts move as stock comes in and goes out, so they are worth checking rather than assuming.
From our shelves
A few items currently in stock that relate to this article:
- HME Compact Lightweight Hunting Pocket Multi-Functional 14-in-1 Handheld Archery Multi Tool – Wrench/Broadhead Sharpener Combo
- Meooeck 3 Pcs Archery Accessories, Arm Guard, 3 Finger Glove, Hip Quiver
- 4Pcs Archery Protective Gear Bundle for Beginner Target Shooting
- RoundFunny 3 Pcs Archery Bow Strength Trainer 30 40 50 Lbs | Arm Strength Exercise Band, Rubber Stretch Bands Archery Accessories, Bow Practice Shooting Accessories
Across the whole catalogue prices currently run from $4.99 to $37.49, with most of the range clustered around the middle of that span. Stock and prices on the product pages are live, so they are the figures to trust rather than anything quoted in an article.
Ordering, delivery and returns
Free US shipping on orders over $65; a flat $7.50 below that. Orders are picked and packed at the Mamaroneck store on business days, and a tracking number follows by email once the carrier scans the parcel.
If something is not right, there are 30 days from delivery to send it back unused and in its packaging. The full detail is on the Shipping Policy and Returns and Refunds pages, and the FAQ covers the questions that come up most.
How we decide what to stock
Extreme Archery carries archery finger tabs, arm guards and bow accessories, and the range is deliberately narrower than a warehouse catalogue. A line earns its place by being asked for repeatedly at the counter in Mamaroneck and by coming back without complaints — not by having the widest margin.
When something stops meeting that bar it comes off the shelf rather than being discounted until it moves. That is why the catalogue on this site changes slowly and why the specification tables on the product pages quote the maker rather than our own marketing.
Quick answers
How often should I wax a string?
Every few sessions for a bow in regular use, and always before storing it. A tin lasts a very long time relative to the cost of a new string.
Do you stock left handed guards?
Several arm guards and tabs are sold in specific hands or as adjustable fits. Where the maker states a hand, it is in the specification table.
Related reading
Other notes from the same shelf that pick up where this one stops:
- Finger tab or shooting glove: how to decide
- String wax: the cheapest habit that prevents an expensive failure
- Nocks, nocking points and consistent arrow flight
Coming to the store
Extreme Archery is at 801 E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NY 10543. Opening hours are Mon 12:45-19:00 | Tue 11:00-19:00 | Wed 12:45-19:00 | Thu-Fri 11:00-19:00 | Sat 11:00-17:00 | Sun Closed, and it is worth calling ahead on +1 914-777-7500 if you are travelling specifically for one item, because stock on the shop floor and stock listed online are the same pool.
Anything discussed in this article can be looked at in person before buying. If you would rather order online, the same stock ships from this address — nothing is drop-shipped from a third party warehouse, which is why the despatch address on your parcel matches the shop.
Ask us directly
If this has not answered your question, the counter is open Mon 12:45-19:00 | Tue 11:00-19:00 | Wed 12:45-19:00 | Thu-Fri 11:00-19:00 | Sat 11:00-17:00 | Sun Closed. Call +1 914-777-7500 or use the contact page — a person reads it, and you will get an answer within a business day.