If you love archery but hate walking around with your bow in hand, you've come to the right place! Carrying a bow on your backpack is a great way to transport your equipment without having to lug it around. Plus, you'll look like a professional archer when your bow sits securely on your bag.
You can attach a bow to your backpack by gathering the ends of the bowstring and looping them around the straps. Secure the loop with zip ties or cable ties to keep it in place while you carry the backpack.
In this post, we'll show you step by step how to safely transfer your bow from your hand to your back. So buckle up and get ready to carry your bow in style!
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Backpack for Carrying a Bow
Choosing the right backpack for carrying a bow is an important part of the process where you need to consider a number of different factors. The size, material, and design of the backpack all play a role in how comfortable it is to carry a bow on your back.
When it comes to size, it’s important that you choose a backpack that is neither too small nor too big. It should fit your individual body type so that it doesn’t slip during use. A smaller bag offers more flexibility, while a larger bag gives you more space for other items. However, if the bag is too large, it can make it difficult to carry the bow and reduce its performance potential.
The material also plays a role when carrying a bow. Backpacks made of canvas or leather tend to be more durable and breathable than synthetic materials. While leather can be heavier and cooler, canvas bags are lightweight and water resistant. Both materials offer different levels of comfort and practicality when carrying a bow.
You should also consider the design of the bag. For optimal protection of your gear, look for bags with separate compartments that are specifically designed for bows of different sizes and allow quick access when needed. Seamless zippers will prove beneficial in protecting your bag during prolonged use, while adjustable straps and padding will help you find a better balance when walking.
Whatever backpack you choose, it must fit your body well and have enough storage space for all your needs. With these basics in mind, you are ready for the next step: considering materials and design.
Materials and Design Considerations
When considering the materials and design of your backpack for carrying a bow, you need to consider both the material of the backpack itself and any straps or pockets provided for the bow.
For the backpack itself, lightweight but sturdy materials are recommended. Polyester is usually a good choice as it is lightweight yet waterproof and can withstand daily use. You should also look for a backpack that has enough space for your bow, and any additional accessories or equipment you may need.
Depending on your intended use, you might even want to invest in a specialized bow carrier that provides more space and still protects your bow adequately. If your bag will be used regularly, you should opt for a bag made of padded nylon or Cordura fabric as these tend to last longer.
In addition to the bag’s texture, you should also consider any special straps or pockets that might be useful when transporting a bow. Ideally, a bag should have two adjustable shoulder straps to hold the bow securely in place during transport.
Some bags also have side clips and compression straps that compress the contents of the bag and provide stability. Look for bags with special compartments for storing various pieces of equipment such as arrow sheaths or other things you need when shooting or hunting.
Considering the materials used for construction and possible design changes can help you make an informed decision on the perfect backpack to carry a bow. As long as they meet all these criteria, any standard daypack will do just as well as an expensive specialist backpack.
After choosing and equipping your backpack with all the necessary safety features, it’s time to move on and draw the bow firmly in place!
Securing the Bow to the Backpack
Now that you have found the backpack with the best design and materials for your bow, you need to attach it properly to your backpack. It is important that the bow fits tightly so that it does not slip off your back while you are carrying it on your back. The key here is to find the right attachment points.
Ideally, use two separate mounts. One point at the top of the bow and then a smaller second point at the bottom of the bow. This could be achieved with two D-rings on your backpack and two carabiners attached to these D-rings to hold the bow in place.
Of course, this method increases the weight, so the use of bungee cords or straps may be recommended as an alternative. Bungee cords and straps are lighter and provide a secure hold for your bow while allowing you to move it easily as you walk.
It is a matter of personal preference whether you choose straps or carabiners as both provide solid attachment options to carry a bow securely on your back. Whichever method you choose, make sure it holds your bow firmly in place without the risk of it slipping off—after all, you don’t want your carefully designed project to fly off on a hike!
Once you have found a reliable way to secure your bow, you can think about the best orientation to carry it on your back—vertical or horizontal?
Vertical or Horizontal Carrying Positions
The vertical or horizontal carrying position comes down to personal preference. Some prefer to carry their bow vertically as this allows quick and easy access. It is also very suitable for activities such as hunting when you need to pull something out of your backpack that you need at the time. However, when carrying the bow this way, you need to have your hands free to balance the weight, so it may not be ideal if you need to hold extra items in your hands.
On the other hand, carrying horizontally provides a more even distribution of the load and can take the strain off your back if you have to carry the bow for long distances. Wearing the backpack with both straps and introducing chest straps can make this even more comfortable by reducing the weight on your shoulders. The downside is that it takes longer to remove the bow in emergencies or other situations where quick access is required.
Regardless of which position you choose, always keep comfort and safety in mind. Spend some time practicing carrying your fully packed backpack and test different configurations of bow straps until you find one that suits you. Then you are ready for the final step: adjustment for an optimal fit.
Making Adjustments to the Bow Strap
As a backpacker who has personally researched the best ways to carry a bow, I have found that it is crucial to adjust your bow strap to your carrying preferences. If you prefer to carry your bow vertically, you should adjust the straps to fit snugly so that the bow does not sag or slip when you walk. If you carry the bow horizontally, you should also make sure that the length of the straps sufficiently balances the weight of the bow so that it does not pull down on one side.
You should also consider other factors such as the fabric and thickness of the straps, depending on how long you will be traveling with them on your backpack. For instance, if you are traveling for hours in potentially high temperatures, a delicate material such as velvet is not particularly suitable and may cause discomfort if body heat comes into contact with the velvet fabric.
Conversely, it might be more beneficial to opt for a thicker and more durable option such as leather as it is much more breathable and supportive. By considering these different elements, you can make adjustments to ensure greater safety and comfort for yourself and your equipment when traveling with your bow.
Striking a balance between security, comfort, and convenience is paramount when you are fitting a bow strap. Now that you have made the right adjustments both horizontally and vertically, we can move on to the most important measures for safely transporting our bows on our backpacks.
Safety Measures for Carrying a Bow
While adjusting the strap correctly is one step toward safety, there are other measures you should take to ensure the safety of your bow and yourself.
Aside from the bow strap, it’s important to use either a well-padded shoulder strap or chest strap if possible. This second layer ensures that the bow does not slip even if the main strap loses tension in some way. Similarly, hikers should always pull their hair out of their face before strapping on their bow as a stray strand could get caught in the drawstring when it is unbuckled and cause injury.
Another aspect to consider is the overall weight distribution of the backpack. When you switch to a bow sling, the stability of the backpack is usually reduced as it can no longer be supported with one hand on each side when properly balanced. To prevent this from becoming a problem, hikers should make sure their gear is evenly distributed between the strapped pouches and pockets to maintain a balanced load.
No matter how careful you are when you equip your backpack with a bow sling, accidents can still happen. That's why it's so important to keep your fingers behind the string loop whenever you draw an arrow or put it in at full draw. This will ensure that no matter what happens after you draw your bow, you do not have to worry about hazards such as arrowheads ricocheting or torn tendons getting caught in the skin.
These are just a few rules of thumb for safely carrying a bow in your backpack. If you follow them, you may be able to traverse wild trails with your equipment, but they are far from all-encompassing solutions—so remember to consult experienced outdoor professionals if you need more advice or guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any safety tips you should follow when carrying a bow on a backpack?
Yes, there are a few safety tips you should follow when carrying a bow on a backpack. First, tie your bow tightly with strong cords or bungees. You should also be careful when moving and lifting your backpack as sudden jolts and falls can damage the bow or cause injury. Pay attention to how you wear the straps—try to distribute the weight of the bow evenly on both shoulders to reduce strain on the back and neck muscles.
Finally, be mindful of the environment in which you move with your bow. Avoid areas with lots of people where someone could get hurt. With a few extra precautions, you can carry your bow safely in your backpack!
What are the steps to correctly attach a bow to a backpack?
- Step 1: Measure the area of the bow and the backpack to which you want to attach the bow. To do this, measure the length and width of both items.
- Step 2: Gather your materials. You will need scissors, fabric glue, and a piece of thin ribbon or string to attach the bow to the backpack.
- Step 3: Cut two pieces of ribbon 4 inches longer than the measured area of the bow and backpack you are working with. Thread these pieces through the loops at either end of the bow so that they form a loop on each side. Both sides should have enough slack to overlap when you attach them to your backpack (leave an inch on each side).
- Step 4: Apply fabric glue to the places where you want to attach the bows to your backpack. Place one side over the other and press them firmly together with your fingers. Make sure that no excess glue gets on your backpack.
- Step 5: Leave the adhesive alone until it has fried completely (this can take up to 24 hours). Once the glue has dried, carefully try on the backpack with the bow and make adjustments as needed.
And voila! Now you know how to properly attach a bow to a backpack!
What type of backpack is best for carrying a bow?
The type of backpack best suited for carrying a bow depends on the size and weight of the bow and how often you plan to use it. If you plan to carry the bow frequently or if your bow is particularly heavy, a sturdy tactical backpack or hiking backpack with padded shoulder straps is recommended. The adjustable straps provide extra support and comfort for long periods of carrying.
A drawstring bag or duffle bag may be suitable for a light bow, but in the end, these are not designed for backpacking and do not provide adequate support or cushioning. To keep your bow safe and avoid damage, make sure the backpack you choose is adequately padded, has a number of pockets for storing accessories, and has secure, adjustable straps so nothing shifts during the trip.