Fingertabs are an essential accessory for archers, specifically designed to protect the fingers from the intense strain of the bowstring. They are typically made from leather or synthetic materials and provide a padded surface placed between the fingers and the bowstring. Unlike archery gloves, which cover the entire hand, fingertabs focus protection on the draw fingers, the fingers that pull and hold the string. Fingertabs come in various designs to cater to the individual needs and preferences of archers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced archer, investing in a high-quality fingertab can significantly enhance your shooting experience. In our blog post, we provide a helpful guide to assist you in making the right choice between an archery glove and a fingertab.

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What Are the Differences Between an Archery Glove and a Tab?
An archery glove is a type of glove that covers the three middle fingers of your hand. While this might seem unusual at first, it is perfectly sufficient, as you only use your index, middle, and ring fingers to draw the bowstring. On the other hand, a tab is a type of "flap," usually made from leather. Unlike an archery glove, you insert your middle finger into a designated hole, allowing the flap to rest protectively on the three middle fingers. A plastic finger separator between the index and middle fingers ensures that there is enough space and stability for nocking your arrow.

Which Should I Choose?
This decision is highly personal and cannot be generalized for all archers. We recommend that every archer try both the archery glove and the tab at least once. This way, you can best determine which form of finger protection suits you. It is important that both the archery glove and the tab fit well, do not slip, and feel comfortable. Some archers use both and switch depending on their mood, adding a bit of variety to their practice. For beginners, we recommend an archery glove, such as our Easy archery glove.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Archery Glove and a Tab?
With an archery glove, your fingers are well-protected and kept warm during colder seasons. Additionally, with a glove, you can shoot either "Mediterranean" or "Three Under."

Mediterranean and Three Under Explained: The Mediterranean grip is a technique where the index finger is placed above the arrow and the middle and ring fingers are placed below it on the bowstring. The "Three Under" technique, preferred in the USA, involves placing all three fingers below the nocked arrow.

A tab is generally cheaper than an archery glove and can be put on and taken off more quickly. The clean release when shooting is another advantage. However, the small size of a tab makes it easy to misplace, which can be a disadvantage. If you want to shoot "Three Under" with a tab, you will need to purchase an additional tab without a finger separator. For these reasons, we recommend the tab mainly for more advanced archers.

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