I had bought a bit of seal skin when it was available for rest and arrow plate but I'm running out . What do you guys use ??
Still using sealskin,have some left from many years ago
Velcro loop.
I have some material that I got probably 30 years ago. It was designed to wick oil to lubricant shafts and moving machinery parts. It came in a sheet and from Mcmaster Carr. Stuff works great and last for years as a rest material . Only real downside is it's white which I don't really mind.
I use the Velcro loop.sude but it wears a lot faster than the straps of furniture pads.
I have some seal skin also, but this year I started shooting without anything on my window. I liked that very well.
Until I was hunting with a friend in Kentucky. One morning I got up a little earlier and was shooting at a weed. When drawing the arrow back I could hear sound.
Don't know if it was the climate, humidity or what but I thought I'd hate to have a nice buck close by and have it spook because if the noise.
So my friend pulled a calf hair side plate off one of his other bows (self adhesive). It worked and it seemed a little thinner than my seal skin. I left it on.
Calf hair is the best last along time is quite, cheap and thin .
Fuzzy side of Velcro. Lasts long enough I change it when it's dirty or tired of looking at it. I bought it by the foot at true-value hardware store. I also found it doesn't wear as fast as the felt on people's bows that insist on shooting over spined arrows.
I agree About using the fuzzy side of velcro. I can get it free from work when it expires for shelf life. About 2 inches wide and already adhesive backed. Leave the backing on and cut to shape with scissors. Peel the backing and stick it on. Lasts longer than just about anything else I've ever used and has just enough loft or cushion to nicely dampen the arrow. Quiet too.
I've used seal skin and still have some lying around I think. Regardless, I use leather on my ASLs, velcro on my recurves. Either would work on either, of course, but leather is thinner and usually works better on my ASLs. .
I'm a big fan of feather rests, the arrow doesn't fall off and they are very forgiving. :archer:
I like the thick rug rests.I believe the leading edge of the feather fletching passes through the rug rest with less disturbance.Its quiet as well
I used sealskin alot.I liked the pieces with thicker fur for the same reason as the rug rest.Their are other choices besides sealskin if you want fur.Squirrel etc.I have used chipmonks sometimes.
Seal fur/skin for me as well. I have a couple patches left from thrift store fur coats. Leather for the riser plate.
I have a 2"x2" piece of seal skin I've been hoarding for about 25 years. that said, most bowyers use fuzzy Velcro, and it works fine. have it on most of my bows.
Been using rug rest material because I had on hand and hair on leather for side plate. Hobby Lobby sells hair on leather sheets. I sort through them and buy one that has the hair running in the most consistent direction. Cut to size, a bit of Barge cement done. Plan on using Velcro when I'm out of rug rest type material
Heavy-duty velcro. I have been using it for many years with no problems.
Quote from: smokin joe on February 24, 2026, 09:56:36 AMHeavy-duty velcro. I have been using it for many years with no problems.
Yup... if you buy the industrial grade its a bit thicker and holds up much better. Can't beat it...
Beaver tail
I prefer the female side of velcro for the reasons that everyone else has mentioned above.
I used to have a leather rest and liked the look of it, but it was way too loud when an arrow slid across it, especially in cold weather.
Cordovan leather
Tanned deer hide.
Velcro and and sometimes double up on it.
Calf hair.