Types of Arrow Rests

What Is an Arrow Rest?

An arrow rest is an accessory that is mounted to your bow in order to hold your arrow in place as you draw and release. It provides support and guidance, helping the arrow follow a consistent flight path toward your target.

Benefits of Using an Arrow Rest

Adding an arrow rest to your compound bow provides several key advantages:

• Increased Accuracy: Consistent, stable arrow placement helps improve your shooting accuracy with tighter groupings.

• Smooth Arrow Flight: Reduced contact and proper guidance minimize deflection for a straighter shot.

• Better Shot Angles: Securely holding your arrow, you’ll have more flexibility when shooting from different positions.

• Beginner Friendly: For new archers or hunters, an arrow rest adds stability to each shot, making it easier to build skills.

Which Arrow Rest is Best for You?

When choosing an arrow rest style, it’s most important to pick one that matches your shooting style and what you need in the field.

Full Capture Arrow Rests

Full capture style rests use a circular frame of bristles to hold the arrow securely in place from all directions. Known for their simplicity and reliability, these arrow rests are a popular choice for both beginner and experienced hunters.

Pros:

• Quiet operation

• Reliable and durable

• Simple to set up and use

• Full arrow containment (great when hunting)

Cons:

• Slight speed reduction

• Wear and tear on bristles over time

• Arrow fletching passes through bristles slightly affecting accuracy

Drop-Away Arrow Rests

Drop-away arrow rests offer advanced performance by providing full arrow support during the draw, then quickly moving out of the way upon release to reduce contact and improve accuracy. There are two types of drop-away arrow rests: cable-driven and limb-driven.

Our Archery Expert, Josh, shares the differences in how these rests work as well and the benefits and considerations.

Cable-Driven Drop Away Rest

With cable-driven rests, the activation cord is tied to the bow’s down-cable. When you draw the bow, the cable moves, pulling the cord taut and raising the rest launcher up into the shooting position. When you let go of the string, the cable snaps back, slackening the cord and letting an internal spring drop the rest out of the way.

Limb-Driven Drop Away Rest

With limb-driven rests, the activation cord is attached to one of the bow’s limbs, typically the bottom limb. At rest, the bow limbs are straight, keeping the cord tight and holding the rest launcher down. When you draw the bow, the limbs flex inward, which creates slack in the cord, allowing an internal spring to raise the launcher up. After you shoot, the limbs snap back out, pulling the cord tight and physically yanking the rest down.

Pros:

• Improves stability and accuracy

• Longer rest support during the draw

• Maximum fletching clearance for clean shots

• Simple timing setup compared to cable-driven rests

Cons:

• Can’t pre-engage the rest

• Longer cord may snag if not properly managed

Micro-Adjust vs. Macro-Adjust Drop-Away Rests

Frequently Asked Questions about Arrow Rests

When helping customers choose the right bow setup, our Archery Experts answer a lot of questions about arrow rests. Below are some of the most common questions archers ask when comparing arrow rest styles.

Whether you’re building your first compound bow setup or looking to upgrade your current gear, SCHEELS offers a wide selection of arrow rests from trusted brands like QAD, Trophy Ridge, and more. If you have additional questions about prepping for the season, stop into your local SCHEELS to speak with an Archery Expert.