Bow Stands and Kickstands: Keeping a Bow Off the Ground

A compound bow kickstand or a recurve bow stand does one simple job: it holds your bow upright or cradled off the ground, so the string, arrow rest, sight and cams stay out of the dirt between ends. They are cheap and handy, but they are not universal. Each design fits a particular limb gap, riser or stabilizer mount, and anything that stays on the bow adds weight.

Why not just lay your bow on the ground?

Plenty of archers do, and a bow will survive it. The trouble is what tends to happen next. A bow lying in grass picks up dirt, grit and dew on the string and cams. It sits at foot level, where someone can step on it or catch a limb with a boot. And the parts that stick out, the arrow rest and the sight, are the ones most likely to take a knock.

A bumped sight or rest can move your point of impact, which you may not notice until your groups open up. If your sight does take a knock, recheck your marks before you trust it again. Our Trophy Ridge React Pro review explains how a hunting sight's windage and elevation adjustments work. Resting the bow off the ground avoids most of this.

Ground stands, kickstands and limb legs

Limb-mounted designs are the simplest. Bow Buddy says its kickstand locks with "a half-turn twist" and uses soft TPU rubber contact points that "won't scuff or damage your limbs", though that is the maker's claim. It lists compound bows with limb gaps "between 0.90" and 0.95"" as the fit range.

Stabilizer-mount stands work differently. Heartland's Bow Ready Stand has a 5/16 in "threaded head for Stabilizer to screw into", and the company says it "Stays Attached To Bow When Shooting" and weighs 3.9 oz, which is weight you hold through every shot. Integrated designs like Prime's TriLite connect "directly into the riser", but Prime lists it for its own 2026 and newer models only.

What a stand does and doesn't do

A stand keeps the bow upright, clean and easy to grab. It does not protect the bow in a vehicle, on a plane or in storage; a padded or hard case does that, as our Plano PillarLock case review explains. A light stand can also tip over in wind or on rough ground, so set it on level ground away from walkways.

Range etiquette for bow stands

At a club range, bows on stands or racks belong behind the shooting line, out of the way of people walking up. When the signal to collect arrows sounds, our range safety guide says to put your bow down or on its stand before walking to the targets.

• Use the club's racks or posts if it has them.
• Place your stand where it won't block the walkway between the lines.
• Never pick up or move someone else's bow without asking.
• Collect your stand when you leave, especially folding ones that are easy to forget.

You can browse compound bow kickstands on Amazon or look at folding bow stands. Treat any listing as an example to consider, and check the stated fit against your bow.

Frequently asked questions

Does a compound bow kickstand fit every bow?

No. Fit depends on the design. Limb-mounted kickstands list a limb gap range, such as Bow Buddy's 0.90 to 0.95 inches. Stabilizer-mount stands rely on the stabilizer thread, and riser-integrated stands like Prime's TriLite fit only certain models. Measure your bow and read the maker's fit notes before buying.

Do you need a recurve bow stand?

You don't need one, but it helps. A folding stand holds the bow by its riser, so the limbs, string and arrow rest stay off damp ground and away from feet. Many clubs provide racks or posts, so check what your range has before buying your own stand.

Can you shoot with a kickstand attached?

Some designs are meant to stay on. Heartland says its Bow Ready Stand stays attached while shooting, and it adds 3.9 oz to the bow. Others are taken off before you shoot. Follow the maker's instructions, and check that nothing touches the string, cables or arrow path.