A prepared and skilled bowhunter always keeps his hunting kit equipped with the best arrow rest. While you plan to customize your crossbow, you want to be sure that all the accessories you are adding to it will add some extra features to your bow.
When taking accuracy into account, you might not pay heed to where you place the arrow on your bow. You might think of scope as the most suitable tool to get the job done, but that is not the case. What you really should consider is an arrow rest.
Your arrow will sit on your arrow rest when you prepare for the shot. It will ensure that your shots are precise and will prevent your arrow from swaying and deviating in the wrong direction.
In this article, we will let you know about some of the best arrow rest options available in the market. You will also find an answer to why picking the right rest is essential. Besides, this article will give you some guidelines on how to choose the arrow rest that is right for you.
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Different Categories of Arrow Rests
For bowhunters, a sturdy arrow rest is more important than accuracy. You need a rest that will make sure the arrow does not drop off the bow or is misplaced when you take a shot. The arrow rest needs to work silently when you move the bow, raise it, or draw it fully to release an arrow.
If you have just entered the world of archery, you might feel overwhelmed by the different types of arrow rests available in the market. To make it easier for you to identify the best arrow rest for your hunting needs, here are the basic categories rests are divided into.
- Launcher Style
These rests are most common among compound bow archers. They serve the primary purpose of an arrow rest- holding up an arrow till it is released from the bow.
You’ll find some launcher style rests with a pair of prongs while some come with narrow blades. The prong rests were popular among bowhunters however, now both the bowhunters and target hunters prefer blade rests.
- Containment Style
This type is nevertheless another favorite of bowhunters. It is simple to handle yet durable. The peculiar features of these rests are the nylon bristles or the presence of three distinct guides. Each of the guides might comprise different manufacturing materials. These guides fully capture an arrow and support it firmly against the bowstring. After an arrow is completely captured, it becomes quite tough to displace the arrow from the rest.
- Drop Away
The popularity of these rests has remarkably increased among both bowhunters and target hunters in the last decade. These rests are available in three different variations.
Limb Driven
It is the most common drop away rest. These type of arrow rests come with a cord which is used to pull the rest and firmly hold the arrow through the full draw.
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Our Best Arrow Rest Reviews
After trying numerous arrow rests from different companies, we have concluded our list of the 5 best arrow rest options for you. Keep reading to know more.
Suffice it to say, the Trophy Ridge Sure Shot Pro delivers all you need. It is a whisker biscuit rest. Let’s have a look at its features
- Composite construction with aluminum encased biscuit provides increased strength
- Precise with shots
- Works swiftly with silent loading of arrow
- Serves basic purposes for the beginner bowhunters.
- It does not include an elevation tuning feature
- Adjustment of D-loop might become a challenge for the amateur hunters
Trophy Ridge Sure Shot delivers all the basic features essential for a good shooting experience. However, the elevation tuning and some other amenities that are included in the expensive arrow rests might be lacking. On the whole, you’ll find it a good purchase once you get used to it.
Drop-Away rests are entirely different than the whisker biscuit type. They are a copious and widespread type of arrow rest. Here is what you will find in Vapor Trail Archery LimbDriver Pro:
- No complex timing
- User friendly. Even the beginners will find it easy to use and understand
- Contact with the shaft in the majority of the shot sequence
- Provides accurate speed and only dislodges the arrow when total velocity is reached.
- Low maintenance
- Does not function properly if not tuned accurately
- The reliance on limbs and cords may affect the precision of the shot
Vapor Trail Archery LimbDriver Pro is a perfect pick for beginners and seasoned archers. It is rapid in action, glossy, and useful in always hitting the Bull’s Eye!
It reduces the hunter’s effort as your shot is accurate without putting in the effort on altering your compound bow. The complete-capture feature of this rest makes it an excellent pick over the rest of the drop away arrow rests. The easy adjustments of this rest make sure the delivery of good results every time.
This high-performance containment rest works well for both seasonal and habitual hunters. Here is what this drop away rest has to offer:
- One of the most affordable rests you’ll find in the drop away category
- Quick in action. Provides good speed while launching the arrow
- The clamp attached to the bowstring makes its installation easier as compared to others.
- Silent working with no unwanted bounce back
- Can be difficult to handle for speed adjustment
TRUGLO Down-Draft Containment Rest is a heavy-duty rest. It can withstand wear and tear for long periods. It sometimes doesn’t agree with your fast blows. In general, it is a good, affordable, and durable rest in drop away types.
Your first glance at this arrow rest will let you know how it stands out among other options. Here is what we found in Ripcord Fall Away Rest:
- Provides complete and firm support to the arrow
- You can easily and comfortably draw the shot
- The addition of the internal brake feature is a plus
- Lightweight and low maintenance
- Doesn’t have any particular features missing
Ripcord Fall Away Rest can be the top choice for expert hunters. It firmly supports the arrow during the draw. As the shaft is released, the rest drops to deliver a total touch-free release and precise shot. We highly recommend this rest.
One of the best arrows rests for your hunt, the Power Shot, stays the first preference for hunters all over. Let’s discuss the features it got for you:
- Composite construction with increased strength
- Features Ballistix Copolymer System
- Low maintenance and allows elevation adjustment
- Silent and swift shots
- Right and left-hand orientation feature available
- Easy to adjust
- Hunters will find it difficult to polish their skills as it handles the majority of the shot cycle itself
The power Shot is one of the high-performance, and effortless arrow rests available in the market. It is one of the finest picks for both expert and amateur hunters. However, this arrow rest makes you dependant on it for the precision of the shot.
Why is the Arrow Rest Important?
You don’t need to take complete control at all times. There are possible means of polishing your hunting skills and improving them with the help of technology. Arrow rests let hunters and archers sustain hold over the arrow as they prepare and release the shot.
If you want complete dominance over your prey, whether close or distant, you need to make sure that your shot is accurate and hits the target without many attempts. For this purpose, you need an arrow rest. It helps maintain the right direction of your arrow without dropping speed.
If you choose your hunt to be deprived of the arrow rest, as a seasonal hunter, you might miss the target-and may lose your prey forever!
Whisker Biscuit vs Drop Away Arrow Rest
Many people often feel confused about whether to choose a whisker biscuit or a drop-away rest. Whisker biscuit is a simple and user-friendly arrow rest. Many hunters find it great to use for its performance and precision. For people who want great speed and accuracy, a drop away arrow rest is a more suitable choice. However, the arrow rest is typically a personal choice.
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Summing it up
You can select an arrow rest that goes well with your style, suits your hunting needs, and fulfills your compound bow requirements.
Are you planning for a big hunt? Or is it just a small hunt you want to do for recreation? All these factors will help you decide the best arrow rest for your next hunting venture.
Trying different arrow rests will help you make a list of your favorites. In our opinion, your ultimate selection will be from our compilation of whisker biscuit or drop-away arrow rests. Feel free to rest according to your needs preferences. Have a great hunt!
