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Easton Archery! They’re a big name in the archery game. They have a lot of name recognition, and if you’ve spent any time around archers, you’ve probably seen some of their products. Here’s a quick rundown of what we consider the best Easton arrows for beginners, target/competition shooting, and hunting, and a brief intro to the different types of materials arrows are made from, and which may be right for you.
Differences Between Fiberglass, Aluminum, and Carbon Arrows
You may have noticed that arrows are all made from different materials. How can you tell which is right for you? We explain this in more depth in our “How to Select Arrows” post, but here’s a (very) quick run-down:
- Wooden Arrows. Mankind used wooden arrows for about 70,000 years, so they have to be good. Well, good for a lot of things, but not target archery. Or hunting, really. Because it’s so difficult to make two wooden arrows the same weight, shape, and length, hunters and target archers usually use aluminum, carbon, or aluminum/carbon mixes (usually called A/C arrows). Wooden arrows are gorgeous, though, and there ARE plenty of hunters, traditionalist, and longbow users who love them. More than any other arrow, these can be works of art (and craftmanship).
- Fiberglass Arrows. These aren’t really made very much anymore, but they were VERY popular for very long time. Fiberglass itself doesn’t have the density for higher-poundage bows, so they’re a good option for beginners using very low-weight bows.
- Aluminum Arrows. These are a little more rare than carbon and aluminum/carbon mixes, but they’re still very popular. More than anything else, they’re easy to use and affordable, so they’re a good match for beginners.
- Carbon Arrows. These are relatively new, and they’re incredibly popular among target archers and hunters. The materials allow for a wide variation in weight and spine, so they can be manufactured for a wide range of bows. The only negative is that they’re delicate, and they’re prone to splinter, which is why a lot of people use…
- Aluminum/Carbon Hybrids (“A/C” arrows). These usually have carbon in the middle and aluminum on the outside. The carbon gives them weight and spine, and the aluminum coating keeps them from splintering. A/C arrows are usually pretty high-end, and they’re a favorite among experienced competitive archers and hunters.
Good Choices for Beginners
Easton makes arrows for folks in all stages of their development, and they have some fantastic options for novices. Here are a few.
Genesis V2.
- Durable and economical
- Made from 7075 alloy
- Only arrow approved for NASP competition
The Easton Genesis V2 Arrows are a great choice if you run an archery program, teach archery, or operate a range or league.
These are actually approved by the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) as a great option for kids, and there are kids all over the country using them. They’re great for actually teaching archery, because they’re sturdy, and you can use them over and over again without worrying that they’ll get too dinged up (your results may vary, though, especially if you or your students are especially tough on arrows!). They’re aluminum, which is not as durable as fiberglass, but is still pretty tough (and certainly a lot tougher than carbon).
These are also for low-poundage bows (anywhere from 15 pounds to 30 pounds), and they’re roughly 30 inches long. They’re for target practice—not to be used for hunting—and they have bullet tips and rubber/plastic fletching.
These are probably the most popular arrows that Easton sells, and you’ll probably see them if you belong to an archery club or go to a range.
Jazz.
- EASTON SHAFT JAZZ BLACK (.005) 2016 (10.6 GPI) (DZ)
The Easton Jazz Arrow (Shafts) are fantastic arrows. They’re great for beginners, but they’re good enough to use as you move past the beginner stage and become able to shoot with accuracy.
Here’s why we like them:
- They ship ready to shoot. Many archers choose to fashion their own arrows—they glue on the fletchings, they position the nock, and they choose their tip. Not these. These are shipped ready to shoot, which makes them great for beginners.
- They’re usable for bows with a wide range of poundages. These arrows are meant for bows with a draw weight of 15 pounds to 50 pounds, and most beginners are going to start on bows that are right about in that range.
- They’re manufactured in a number of different lengths (usually 28, 29, and 30 inches). Very often—as with the Scouts, above—arrows are sold at a particular length, and if that particular length doesn’t work for you, you’re out of luck. The choice of three lengths is a nice little feature of these.
- They’re aluminum. That means they’re pretty light and they’re durable, and that’s a good combo when you’re learning the art of archery.
- They have helical feathers (sometimes called parabolic feathers), and that provides extra flight stability. Here’s what that means: the feathers on the arrow, instead of being glued on the arrow straight up and down, are glued on the arrow at a sliiiiiiiiiiiiiiight angle, so that when they fly through the air, the wind h-+66its the feather and causes the arrow to spin. Most target archers will fashion their arrows with helical offset feathers to increase their accuracy.
I won’t say that these are the BEST arrows that Easton offers—I can hear some of the guys at the range yelling at me and listing a half-dozen other arrows that are better—but they’re a good solid option.
If you’re a new archer and you’re getting a Samick Sage recurve, these are a great first arrow.
Best Easton Arrows for Hunting
When you’re hunting, you want an arrow that will deliver a serious amount of kinetic energy. You want clean penetration and a quick kill. Usually, that means a heavier arrow, and that’s why it’s always a good thing to try and work your way up to shooting heavier bows.
6.5 ACU Bowhunters.
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The Easton Archery ACU Carbon 6.5 arrows are a great middle-ground option for archers who want reliability without breaking the bank. Using Easton’s ACU-Carbon™ technology, these arrows offer consistent spine and straightness, meaning you can count on them to perform the same way every time you shoot. Whether you’re dialing in your form at the range or aiming at a target in the field, the ACU Carbon 6.5 delivers steady and accurate arrow flight, which is key when you’re trying to improve your shot.
Durability is another big plus with these arrows. They’re built to last, thanks to the high-quality carbon materials that Easton uses. These arrows can handle a lot of use and abuse without losing their shape or strength. Whether you’re shooting outdoors or indoors, they stand up to tough conditions, so you won’t be spending a fortune replacing them after every practice or hunt.
The versatility of the ACU Carbon 6.5 really sets it apart. While it’s perfect for target practice, it also holds its own during hunting trips. With a good balance of speed and penetration, these arrows are reliable in a variety of shooting scenarios. For archers looking for dependable performance without sacrificing quality or spending too much, the ACU Carbon 6.5 is a solid all-around choice.
Bloodline.
- High-strength carbon fiber construction
- Includes inserts and nocks
- Compact design
The Easton Bloodline Arrows, with a 330 spine, are nice and stiff, and they’re good for bows of up to 70 pounds draw weight. They ship at 32 inches, so just like the XX75s above, you may need to pare them down to the correct length for you.
These have all the features you’d expect in a modern hunting arrow: a thin diameter, carbon material, and H-nocks pre-installed. They don’t include broadheads, but as I mentioned earlier, that’s probably because most hunters would replace it with their own broadheads.
These, too, are an excellent option for 3D archery. There’s a lot of overlap in those two activities—most hunters go to the range and practice on 3D targets in the off-season—and these are a great option if you want to do both. They’re sturdy enough for 3D targets, and they should hopefully last you until you’re able to head outdoors again.
Perhaps the best thing about this arrow is the name—”Bloodline.” That is so incredibly clever. Most of us learn hunting from our parents, and when you talk about family, you’re talking about your blood line. And, when you hunt, and successful pierce an animal with your arrow, you need to track it… and what do you use to track the animal? The blood line from the penetration wound. That’s some pretty insightful marketing right there.
Full Metal Jackets.
- Tough carbon core with durable alloy jacket
- Made for increased strength and performance
- Includes nocks and HIT inserts
Last but not least: Easton Full Metal Jackets. In our humble opinion, these are a fantastic hybrid arrow, with a carbon center and an aluminum allow exterior. That is a fantastic setup—the carbon gives it heft, and the aluminum protects the arrow from shatter, which is a huge problem with arrows solely made from carbon.
These have a 340 spine, so they’re pretty stiff, and for use on bows with a draw weight up to 70 pounds. They ship at 32 inches, just like the other options, so you may have to alter the length, but they do come pre-fletched with medium-sized vanes, HIT inserts, and nocks.
These puppies pack a punch, and create a LOT of kinetic energy when shot from a properly-tuned bow, and the slimness of the diameter allows for through-shots, which makes it much easier to track an animal after you’ve hit it. Easton offers a lot of hunting arrows, and this is one of their top offerings.
Some Facts About Easton
Easton is one of the biggest names in the sport of archery. There are a lot of smaller players who make great products, but Easton is a powerhouse. Here are some fun facts about the company:
- They have a lot of employees—more than 1,000—and a lot of capability when it comes to research and development. They’re an American company, too, which is always a good thing.
- It’s a family company. It was started in 1922 by James D. Easton, who handed it down to his son in 1974, who handed it down to his son. It’s connected to a larger company (and I’m not quite sure how that works), but it remains family-owned.
- Easton and Hoyt are owned by the same parent company. Hoyt also makes a number of archery products we like, so that’s not really a surprise.
You Know the Drill
That about wraps it up for our Easton post. Questions? Comments? Scroll on down and share ’em with the group. Happy Shooting!
