Pros
- Unbeatable entry price
- Smooth draw for a budget bow
- Light 2.2 lb mass suits teens and smaller adults
- Takedown design
Cons
- Limb bolts are the only upgrade path
- No plunger/sight bushings on older stock
- Stock string needs replacing
Field Test Results
Scored against our published methodology
Key Specs
| AMO length | 62" |
|---|---|
| Draw weight options | 20–35 lbs |
| Riser | laminated beech/chuglam |
| Max draw length | 29" |
| Mass weight | 2.2 lbs |
The Spirit is the lowest-risk way to find out if archery is your sport — light, smooth, genuinely well made for the price, and sized kindly for smaller shooters.
Not everyone should spend $400 to discover whether they like archery. The Spirit exists for exactly that person, and it is far better than its price suggests.
Performance Testing
At 30 lbs it is a pleasant, quiet shooter out to 20 yards — which is precisely the job description. Stacking shows up past 28″ of draw, so taller archers should look at 66–68″ bows instead.
Real-World Use
We used a Spirit as the loaner bow at a family range day. Eleven people from age 12 to 60 shot it; nobody struggled, two bought their own that week. That is what this bow is for.
Alternatives Worth Considering
- Samick Sage — $50 more for a real upgrade path
- Bear Royale — the compound alternative for youth
- Easton youth kits for under-12s
Final Verdict
If the budget stops at $150 or the archer is under 5’8″, the Spirit is the pick. If there is any chance archery sticks, the Samick Sage’s limb ecosystem is worth the extra $50.
Who This Bow Is Best For
The SAS Spirit exists for the person who wants to find out whether they like archery without spending a small fortune. It is the ideal first bow for a curious beginner, a casual backyard shooter, or a family that wants a shared loaner everyone can try. Younger and shorter archers in particular are well served, since the bow shines at moderate draw lengths and lower draw weights.
It is not the right pick for taller archers who draw past about 28 inches, where the limbs begin to stack and a longer 66 to 68 inch bow becomes the better choice. Serious students of traditional archery will also outgrow it quickly, but as a no-risk gateway, that is exactly the point.
Key Features Explained
At this price the Spirit keeps things simple, and the features that matter most are the ones that make it approachable.
- Low entry price: a genuine recurve experience for around the cost of a few accessories on a pricier bow.
- Quiet, gentle cast: at 30 lbs it is a pleasant, forgiving shooter out to about 20 yards, ideal for learning.
- 62 inch length: a comfortable fit for youth and average-height shooters with moderate draw lengths.
- Simple takedown build: easy to pack, store, and hand around at a family range day.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Here is the honest balance for a bow built to a price.
- Pro: one of the cheapest legitimate ways to try archery.
- Pro: quiet, forgiving, and easy for total beginners.
- Pro: excellent shared loaner bow for families and groups.
- Con: stacks past about 28 inches of draw, so it is not ideal for taller archers.
- Con: limited upgrade path compared with bows like the Samick Sage.
How It Compares to the Competition
Spend about fifty dollars more and the Samick Sage gives you a real upgrade path with swappable limbs and far wider parts support, which matters if you decide to stick with the sport. For youth shooters who prefer a compound, the Bear Royale is the alternative, and Easton youth kits cover the under-12 crowd. Against all of these, the Spirit wins purely on entry price.
The practical way to think about it is risk: the Spirit lets you and everyone in your household discover whether archery clicks before committing real money to a bow you will keep.
Is It Worth It?
After using one as a family range-day loaner, the verdict is that the Spirit punches well above its price. If your goal is to try archery, teach kids, or keep an inexpensive bow everyone can shoot, it is an easy recommendation. If you already know you are committed, step up to the Sage for the upgrade path.
How the SAS Spirit 62" Recurve compares
| Product | Rating | Key spec | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS Spirit 62″ Recurve Reviewed here | 8.2/10 | 62" AMO | $119 | Check Price |
| Galaxy Crescent Olympic Recurve | 8.9/10 | ILF fitting | $389 | Check Price |
| Samick Sage Takedown Recurve | 8.7/10 | 62" AMO | $169 | Check Price |
| SAS Spirit 62″ Recurve Reviewed here | 8.2/10 | 62" AMO | $119 | Check Price |
SAS Spirit 62" Recurve
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Check PriceFrequently Asked Questions
Is the SAS Spirit good for beginners?
Yes. It is quiet, forgiving, and very affordable, making it one of the best gateway bows for trying archery.
How far can you shoot with the SAS Spirit?
At around 30 lbs it is a pleasant, accurate shooter out to about 20 yards, which suits learning and backyard practice.
Is the SAS Spirit good for tall archers?
Not ideal. The limbs start to stack past about 28 inches of draw, so taller archers should consider a longer 66 to 68 inch bow.
How does the SAS Spirit compare to the Samick Sage?
The Spirit is cheaper, but the Sage costs only a little more and offers a real upgrade path with swappable limbs and wide parts support.
Is the SAS Spirit a good family or loaner bow?
Yes. Its low price, gentle draw, and simple takedown design make it an excellent shared bow for families and range days.