The progression of hunting arrow materials went from wood to aluminum to carbon shafts. Wood arrows can be difficult to make as density can be slightly off making them weigh different amounts. Getting a perfectly straight wood arrow can also be a tall task.

Aluminum came into play as it was something that could be replicated using machines. The ability to make arrow shafts that were nearly identical meant more consistency between arrows. This mean that arrows with the same flex, or spine, could be batched together easier. This consistency translated into better results when shooting. Aluminum is heavier than wood, so the arrows would have better penetration due their increased kinetic energy. However, added weight comes with a price, speed. Lighter objects take less to move so they can go faster. Aluminum arrows have one big negative and that is that if they hit something wrong, the shaft will bend. Once bent, the arrow is ruined because it will not fly straight off the bow again.

Carbon shafts replaced aluminum shafts as the top material. Carbon fibers are rolled into tube to make the arrow shaft. Carbon is much lighter than aluminum, so the arrows are lighter. This decrease in weight leads to faster arrow speeds and carbon shafts do not bend like aluminum shafts. Carbon arrows also have smaller diameters than aluminum, so they have increased penetration.

Think of a nail versus a railroad spike. While carbon shafts are pretty rugged, the linear nature of the rolled carbon makes them crack or split it hit by another arrow or another dense object in flight. Due to this, it is important to inspect each arrow before using them each time. A cracked shaft can lead to the entire arrow shattering when the bowstring is released. Some arrow companies make arrows using a woven carbon shaft instead of a rolled tube, which makes them more resistant to splitting or cracking.

One of the more popular arrows is a “best of both worlds” approach. A small diameter carbon shaft is covered by an aluminum shaft. This allows for added weight to help get kinetic energy and smaller diameter for added penetration. The aluminum outer shaft is still prone to bending like the all-aluminum arrows are. Another company has an arrow with stainless steel fibers woven in with the carbon of one model.

Other factors to consider when looking for arrows include your draw length, draw weight, the broadhead you plan to shoot, and your target species. Knowing your draw length and weight will allow you to decide what spine strength your arrows will need to have to give you the best performance. If you choose an arrow spine that is too weak, your arrow will bend excessively during flight and give you poor results. Some mechanical broadheads require a lot of energy to open when they impact the target so shooting some arrows may not be best suited for this (or the broadhead may not be suited for your setup). Knowing what game species that you want to hunt can change what arrow you want. Small, thin-skinned game can be harvested with almost any arrow because penetration is easy to achieve. However large game species with thick hides can slow arrows down quick and result in mere flesh wounds instead of harvests.

These are things to remember and consider when shopping for arrows. Do not be afraid to ask questions at a bow shop to get better insight on what your options are before making your choice. Arrows can cost upwards of $20 a piece, so do your homework and make an educated decision so ensure you get the best possible results.