Most archery target faces look durable when they’re new —
But what happens to them after hundreds, or thousands of shots?
Because archery target face durability isn’t just about how long a target lasts — it directly affects real shooting performance, including:
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damaged arrows
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unexpected pass-throughs
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inconsistent arrow stopping performance
It’s also important to consider that higher arrow speeds significantly increase stress on target faces, especially with today’s high-performance equipment. This applies to both high-speed vertical bows and crossbows, where increased kinetic energy places more demand on the target material.
Arrow diameter also plays a role. Small, medium, and large diameter arrows all interact differently with target surfaces, affecting penetration depth and wear patterns over time.
When a target face wears out too quickly, it doesn’t just mean more replacements — it can also mean earlier arrow damage and reduced shooting consistency.
That’s where Spylar™ is different.
Spylar™ vs. SpyderWeb 20XL No Speed Limit Archery Target
Recently, we put our 20XL No Speed Limit Target through a field test — shooting the target 500 times:
Here's the results: (Check out the video for more details)
Spylar™ is designed to move with the arrow—not resist it.
When an arrow impacts the surface, the fiber structure flexes and shifts, distributing energy across multiple strands instead of concentrating force in a single impact point.
After each shot, the material spreads and returns to form, allowing it to continue performing through repeated shooting sessions.
On the SpyderWeb 20XL target, this is especially important for archers who shoot frequently and need a durable archery target face that maintains consistency over time — even with higher speed impacts.
Spylar™ is built for high-performance archery use:
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Woven mesh fibers designed for repeated impact
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High-performance nylon 6.6 (polyamide) construction
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Abrasion-resistant fibers for long-term arrow contact
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Low moisture absorption for indoor and outdoor consistency
Some observations from building targets for the last 20 years...
Common archery target wear patterns:
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Concentrated wear in high-impact zones
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Faster breakdown in repeated grouping areas
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Surface softening where arrows repeatedly strike
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Increased penetration depth as material fatigue increases
Over time, these wear patterns can lead to:
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arrows passing deeper than expected
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increased arrow pull resistance
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higher risk of arrow damage
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reduced shot consistency
Why Does This Matter?
For most archers, target face durability isn’t just about replacing a worn-out target — it directly impacts your equipment and shooting experience.
1. Arrow Life and Damage Prevention
As target faces degrade, arrows can penetrate deeper or strike harder internal layers, increasing wear and potential damage — especially with high-speed bows and crossbows.
2. Shooting Consistency
A worn archery target face does not react the same way shot-to-shot, which can reduce confidence and training consistency across different bow setups and arrow types.
3. Maintenance and Replacement Cycles
What starts as a small wear area often leads to:
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pass-throughs
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soft spots
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earlier-than-expected replacement
In many cases, the real cost of a failing target face shows up in your arrows before it shows up in your wallet.
How Spylar™ is Different as an Archery Target Face Material
Spylar™ is engineered to improve archery target durability through a different approach to impact absorption.
Instead of concentrating force in one area, Spylar’s woven mesh structure distributes energy across multiple fibers, reducing localized breakdown over time—even under higher-speed impacts from modern bows and crossbows.
This results in:
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more consistent arrow stopping performance
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reduced formation of soft spots
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more predictable target behavior over time
Built for Repeated Archery Shooting Sessions
Spylar™ uses high-performance nylon 6.6 (polyamide), selected for durability in repeated-use archery environments:
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Higher melting point → handles friction from repeated arrow impact and higher speeds
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Improved abrasion resistance → slows surface breakdown over time
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Lower moisture absorption → stable performance in varying conditions
This combination is designed for archers who shoot regularly with a wide range of equipment—from traditional vertical bows to high-speed crossbows—and want a long-lasting archery target face material.
Where Spylar™ Fits in Your Archery Setup
Spylar™ is designed for a wide range of archers and shooting setups, including:
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backyard archery practice setups
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club and league shooters
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crossbow and high-speed bow users
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DIY archery target builders
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archers upgrading worn-out target faces
Whether replacing an existing target face or building a custom system, Spylar™ is designed to be the layer that determines how long your archery target performs before replacement is needed.
Archery Target Durability Is More Than Just Longevity
Archery target face durability isn’t just about how long a product lasts — it’s about what happens during its lifespan.
Higher arrow speeds, different bow types, and varying arrow diameters all increase stress on target materials over time.
A failing target face can lead to:
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reduced arrow life
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inconsistent shooting performance
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increased maintenance
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shorter effective practice time
Spylar™ is designed to extend that performance window because it's built for repeated impact and consistent arrow interaction across a wide range of shooting setups.
Because in the end — A better archery target face doesn’t just last longer, it protects your arrows, your consistency, and your time (and your wallet).
To learn more about SpyderWeb's exclusive target facing — Read about Spylar™ Mesh