Carbon vs Bamboo vs Aluminum vs Wood Arrow speed comparison

I have always wondered what arrow material is the best for a longbow so I decided to try out a simple experiment to see what would happen. The arrows are not matched perfectly but are fairly close to each other in weight and length. Looking over the results of the test in a statistical software, the arrow material had the most significant impact on the arrow speed followed by the string material. Brace height had an impact on the arrow speed but it wasn’t as much as I would have thought.
In the end, whatever material your arrow is made out of, make sure it is tuned to your bow and it will shoot great. Arrows are just ammunition in the end anyway.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the results and any observations you have in the comments below.
Thank you!

[@danielbuhler2067]

Hello fellow Bowyers! This was a very interesting little study that I conducted for a class project. I am sure there are more ways to interpret the data so I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

[@matthewy8923]

Your test means a lot to me.
Would you kindly tell me:
1) What are the diameters of bamboo arrow shafts and wooden arrow shafts?
2) What are the lengths of the bamboo arrow shafts and the wood arrow shaft?
Thank you very much.

[@BowtellBows]

I actually want to redo this test with more controlled arrows. Hopefully to prove material doesn’t make a big difference but we will see.
Length is around 32” and I don’t remember the shaft size

[@UncleDanBand64]

I always thought a lower brace height would equal more speed. I guess it makes sense that since it lowers your draw weight....that Is not the case.

[@BowtellBows]

I think this is the case because I am using a longbow. If I was using a short bow or recurve the early draw weight would be more of a factor. Guess I will have to try that out and see what happens

[@UncleDanBand64]

@@BowtellBows that could be.

[@JakeBullit123]

Need the same size fletchings for a good comparison.

[@BowtellBows]

Completely agree. When I test this again, I am going to make sure a lot more things are the same so the only difference is the material itself. Otherwise, the test just doesn’t tell you much

[@oscardaley7557]

Fascinating! I expected the carbon to perform better than it did- maybe the friction of the rubber vanes against the arrow pass slowed it down? Different fletching sizes may have had a big impact too- bigger fletchings is more drag. Im also curious about whether or not arrow spine plays a big role in speed. Is a stiffer arrow faster? I imagine a flexible arrow will absorb some energy when it flexes, slowing it down. But a stiffer arrow might slap the arrow pass as it leaves, reducing it's speed heaps.

[@oscardaley7557]

As for brace height, I think on an English style bow, you're going to get better performance out of the taller brace anyway, right? Sure, on something like a compound or recurve, with a front loaded or very even draw force curve, those first few inches of the draw really matter. A compound especially, that last two or three inches is where most of the power is stored. But even on the best English longbows, there's not as much force stored in the first few inches compared to the rest of the bow, so you're not missing out on much when you have the shorter power stroke, and instead you've got a little extra draw weight where it matters- at full draw

[@BowtellBows]

It is very interesting and I agree with your thoughts. I think the vanes did throw it off but it is hard to say by how much. I am interested in trying this again but do a better job at making the arrows closer in build and design. As for spine, they were all pretty stiff arrows around the 40-50# range but not sure on that one.
I like your thoughts on the brace height. The early draw weight on a longbow is definitely less than a recurve or compound so maybe that extra draw weight at the end does more for cast than the stroke length. Thank you for your comment!

[@elobiretv]

He did use a fairly heavy carbon arrow but I guess the point of the test was to use similar grain arrows but one of the main benefits of carbon is they are supposed to be much lighter.

[@TheBUTOKUKAI]

Hi, I wonder, ¿ what’s that voice noise before each shot?

[@BowtellBows]

That is my wife helping me know exactly when the arrow is at the same spot so I am not over or under drawing the bow to further mess with the arrow speed.