In this guide, we are going to explore the different bowstrings you can get for compound bows, determine what the best string material is and factors to consider before buying new bowstrings. We will then look at how to restring your bow and finally, we will unpack some options to consider when deciding the best compound bow strings for you.
Do bow strings make a difference?
Absolutely! The better materials will directly reflect your archery performance. We believe that as a beginner a standard string is sufficient when starting your archery ventures. However if you are more experienced, you will probably want something that is more fine tuned towards your needs.
The reasons to get new compound bowstrings
The main reason one would look at getting a custom string for their compound bow is because; Manufacturers make bows in mass production. Many manufacturers will focus on developing their product; in this case bows.
The string is just an accessory that is added on at the end to complete the product (it would be like buying a car without the tires). They then string the bow using a readily available stock standard string that is easily available to save on costs, not to say that these are no good, but they aren't top of the range either.
For many beginners they can last a very long time and can have remarkable performance results, especially while the strings are new. But as time goes on and the bow gets used more, and more the bowstrings will start to show signs of wear, maybe have stretched a bit and you will be spending a lot more time tuning your bow. Eventually the strings will need to be replaced. How long this takes will depend on how often and well you looked after your bow string.
The quality of these compound bowstrings are not made from the same materials of which custom bowstrings are. They often consist of only one material and have fewer strands. Before purchasing your compound bow we would suggest that you find out what string the bow comes with and whether it is stock standard or a custom string.
As a beginner, stock standard strings should be more than adequate to get you started. But to an experienced archer, they will probably swear by purchasing a custom string.
Why?
Well, first of all the archer has probably got a specific shooting style in mind, and because custom strings are created using premium materials the archer will get a much better performance from their equipment. Plus, if there is an issue with the current custom string, they will have a spare (but some of us archery snobs will probably go out and buy a new one anyway).
What material are bow strings made from and what’s the difference?
Today modern stock standard compound bowstrings are made from strong synthetic materials that can transfer energy a lot more effectively into the arrow without jeopardizing the string's integrity. They are lighter, more durable and easier to maintain. They do wear out a lot faster and can cause more unwanted vibrations compared to custom strings.
Custom bowstrings however take this process one step further, the supplier uses the best quality synthetic fibers available to them, such as Dyneema® and Vectran that are already pre-stretched with zero creep giving you more time shooting and less time tuning your bow. Also with the correct materials there is no creep (Irreversible stretching that can cause further damage to your equipment).
Custom strings are made to fit your bow perfectly, taking into account the correct material blends and number of strands for your bow and therefore giving you the maximum performance. The only downside (apart from the price) is that by replacing your compound bowstring yourself you can void the manufacturers warranty.
Bowstring strands
How many strands should a bowstring have? There are a number of factors to consider when deciding how many strands you will need, for example, what material the strands are made from and the weight of and length of your draw. Typically the fewer the strands, the faster the arrow will travel. A standard bowstring consists of approximately 10 - 14 strands. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the draw the more strands you need.
Strand Numbers
The more strands there are, the stronger and thicker the string will be. The most common entry level bow string strand count is 12, as this allows a good balance of the strings size and strength as well as nock fit, but only really adequate for a 40lb bow. It is recommended that for bowstrings with a lower strand count you should consider purchasing a dampener or silencer. Less strands can also cause damage to the bow and will wear out faster. On the other hand, the more strands there are the more energy gets absorbed when releasing and reduces the vibrations that cause bow damage. It will also reduce the amount of tuning you will have to do on the bow.
Strand Materials & Thickness
Custom bowstrings are made from very good quality material that has little or no stretch or creep, which makes the arrow travel much faster because the energy is directly transferred into the arrow. The materials that make up the strand are high quality synthetic fibers, and depending on the material the strand thicknesses can vary. Most suppliers make these strings from a combination of various materials to suit the shooters performance.
The manufacturer will make the string from a special blend of materials making the strand thickness vary. It will most likely be a material that has very little to no stretch at all, which can make all the difference when shooting compound bows.
Bowstring Lengths
Compound bows do not have an AMO to give you details on how to choose the bowstring length. For a compound bow there is generally a sticker with the information relating to the bow. This will include details like: string length, cable, draw and weight. This information will make your life a lot easier when ordering.
If for whatever reason this sticker is not there and you are needing a new string, the easiest thing to do is go to the nearest archery store and ask them to measure your equipment for you.
Bowstring Loops
The bowstring loop is this little piece of cord that is tied around the center of the bowstring, using 2 larks foot knots with the ends of the cord being mushroomed (there are loads of 'how to' videos on Youtube that can explain in more details on how to do this).
The point of this loop is for you to locate the nocking point on the bowstring. This is initially done by using a bow square. The loop determines where to place the arrow's nock (in the middle of the loop). It is also what your release will grab onto so it needs to be big enough to not interfere with the arrow. This cord is a cheap product and readily available from almost any archery or hardware store.
How to string a compound bow
Now that we've covered some of the main features regarding your bowstring, let's take a look at how you can restring your compound bow.
A compound bow is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment that can be potentially dangerous if not handled with care, and this section should serve more as an information guide and not be done without expert supervision. Keep in mind that if you choose to replace your own hardware instead of taking it to an authorized dealer, you may void your warranty.
1. Check the old bowstring for faults
Fraying, irregularities, etc...
2. Rub your new bowstring with wax
This will ensure an easier application process for your new bowstring.
3. Make sure you have the correct bow press suited for your bow
Contact your bow manufacturer for advice on the correct press to purchase
4. Remove your old bowstring
Depending on what make and model and what system your bow uses, check with the manufacturers instructions before removing the old bowstring and replacing it with a new one.
5. Double check everything!
Re-tighten any bolts you had loosened and check your bowstring is snugly in place before firing your bow. If in doubt get a professional to double check and test the bows performance.
Who makes the best compound bow strings?
Here are some of the best manufacturers and brands:
VaporTrail
They offer the best compound bow strings on the market (our non biased opinion)! VaporTrail has an easy to navigate online store and has a number of great products to browse through. Their string selection has a number of different strand colors and the materials to choose from. There is also a virtual display so you can see what your design will look like.
Once you are happy with your design, you fill in your bows details and they will calculate a price for you. When you are happy you can make the order. They are quick to manufacture and have a very quick delivery time. Just the simplicity and professionalism makes them the best supplier to choose.
60X Custom Strings
Another great supplier is 60X. They have a great warranty on their products. Their strings are high quality and are almost on par with VaporTrail. However there is no display to show what your design will look like. If that doesn't bother you then they offer a fantastic product.
Recommendations for replacement strings
If you are on a tight budget and looking for something more simple and less complex we have listed some products that you can get online and with a few specs of each product. Please note that when choosing a replacement string you will need to do your own research first before just making a random purchase. Not all strings are created equally and there is no one size fits all either. This is to serve as a guideline when making a decision.
1. D-75 Tri Color Camp
Best value for money, much cheaper than purchasing from a store with a quick service delivery. The D-75 Tri Color Camp comes with a tri-camo colors and fits Hoyt Reflex compound bows and consists of 16 strands. However it does not include the cable and the D loop is known to come loose.
2. Rage 70lbs replacement string
This product is simply just a replacement string for 70lbs bows. It comes prewaxed, you just need to restring. The Rage string comes as a standard uniform black replica of the original. The product is slightly questionable as it is a stock standard product and best suited as a spare, however it is still cheaper than what your local archery store can offer.
3. J&D B50 Compound String
This string is value for money and comes with 16 strands so will shoot fast. Widely available from online stores and offline retailers. It is a stock standard product and definitely not our first choice as a replacement string.
More Commonly Asked Questions:
How often should I replace my String?
This depends largely on how frequently you shoot, the weight, age and what the shooting preference is (hunting, target shooting, etc...). It is recommended that strings should be replaced between 2 - 3 years depending on usage, or if there are any visible signs of damage such as fraying, nicks or broken strands and if you can feel any irregularities. If you are unsure about your string take it to your nearest archery store to get professional advice.
How long does a compound bow string last?
An archer that looks after their equipment properly should only need to replace their bowstrings roughly every 2-3 years. This time period is largely dependent on how well the strings are maintained by applying wax and looked after correctly. It is advised that you should call a technician until you have acquired the correct tools and have gained the necessary experience to change your own bowstrings.
Summary
So to conclude, we started off looking at a basic breakdown of what material bowstrings are composed of and what is more readily available as well as the best option between stock standard or custom. We then looked at how to find the right number of strands and length that would be best suited for your needs.
Overall, the best compound bow strings will be found by either VaporTrail or 60x custom strings. We hope this guide has been helpful and if in doubt be sure to speak to a professional before attempting to restring on your own.