Is archery an expensive hobby? – Costs, overview & honest assessment

Many beginners ask themselves before starting archery: Is archery an expensive hobby? Or to put it another way: How much does archery really cost?

The short answer is:

Archery can be cheap – or expensive. It largely depends on how you do it.

Not very satisfactory if you're looking for concrete answers - so here's a more detailed explanation ;)

Why does archery initially seem like an expensive sport to many people?

Anyone looking online will quickly come across bows costing several hundred or even thousands of euros. Add to that arrows, sights, stabilizers, protective clothing – at first glance, it can all seem like a lot.

But here's the good news: Not everyone needs a complete professional equipment set right away.

Especially for beginners, archery can be started very moderately.

How much does archery cost for beginners?

To get started in archery, you basically only need four things:

• Bow
• Arrows
• Arm protection & finger protection
• Target or training opportunity at a course near you

In practice, entry-level sets in the DACH region usually range in price from approximately 150 to 350 euros.

This will allow you to train safely, develop a clean technique, and participate in your first tournaments.

unsplash.com, Chris Bair

Many clubs also provide loaner equipment initially – you can use this to start until you know whether you really want to stick with it long-term. Then your starting costs will be even lower.

Different bow types – different costs

In archery, there are various types of bows that differ greatly in technique, price, and ease of use for beginners.

The recurve bow (Olympic) is the classic sports bow with sight and accessories. It is very precise, widely used, and particularly suitable for beginners, as there are affordable entry-level models that can be upgraded later.

The longbow is the traditional, simple form of bow. It is shot without technical aids and provides a very primal shooting experience. It is usually moderately priced and well-suited for beginners who prefer simplicity.

A barebow is a recurve bow without a sight or stabilizers. It combines sportiness with a minimalist style and is often somewhat cheaper than a fully equipped recurve bow – it is also very beginner-friendly.

The compound bow is a modern, high-tech bow with pulleys and cables. It is particularly precise, but more expensive to buy and purchase, which is why it is usually the most expensive option for beginners.

For beginners, recurve, barebow and longbow are usually the cheapest and most sensible options.

Ongoing costs in archery

Besides the initial purchase of your equipment, there are a few ongoing costs you should be aware of:

unsplash.com, Bill Fairs

1. Club membership fee or pitch rental

In Germany and Austria, club membership fees are usually between 80 and 200 euros per year.

In return, you get access to the training grounds and the discs, often also coaching support, you join a community of people with similar interests, and your first tournament opportunities open up.

2. Arrows

Arrows are consumable items. Depending on training intensity, you can expect to spend approximately 50–150 euros per year.

3. Wear parts

Other wear parts include the bowstring, nocking points, and fletching – these are small parts that need to be replaced regularly, but cost little.

Is archery more expensive than other sports?

When archery is compared to other hobbies, the impression of high costs is quickly put into perspective.

A gym membership may seem inexpensive at first glance, but it incurs ongoing monthly fees. Horse riding and golf, on the other hand, are among the most expensive leisure activities, both in terms of initial investment and ongoing costs. Football (soccer) is comparatively inexpensive, as usually only club membership fees and basic equipment are required.

Archery falls somewhere in the solid middle ground between these extremes: the entry costs are manageable, and the ongoing expenses remain controllable.

This makes the sport significantly cheaper than many interested people initially assume.

Especially those who use club equipment, don't immediately buy professional gear, and seek good advice can enjoy archery very cost-effectively. Here you'll find archery shops near you that will be happy to advise you.

The biggest mistake is to spend too much money before you know which style really suits you.

So, to conclude: Is archery an expensive hobby?

No – not generally.

Archery is considerably cheaper than many trendy sports , flexibly scalable, and affordable in the long run. You can start with little money and later decide for yourself how much you want to invest.

If you want to learn more about the right equipment or the appropriate type of bow, you will find many further guides and beginner guides on bogensportinfo.com.

PS: The most important step, by the way, costs absolutely nothing: just get started. We hope you have lots of fun! 🏹