By the Home Archery Range UK – Setup Guides, Reviews & Gear Team · Updated May 2026 · Independent, reader-supported

How to Choose Archery Backstop Netting for Your Garden UK

If you're setting up an archery range in your garden, backstop netting is non-negotiable. It stops arrows that miss your target and prevents them from leaving your property—which protects neighbours, keeps you legally compliant, and lets you shoot with confidence. But not all netting is equal, and choosing the wrong type can leave gaps that defeat the purpose entirely.

Here's what matters when selecting backstop netting for a UK home range.

Why Mesh Density Matters

Backstop netting works by absorbing the arrow's energy across a larger area of fabric. A missed arrow hits the net, the net stretches slightly, and the arrow drops. The tighter the mesh, the sooner the arrow slows down—and the shorter the distance it travels after impact.

Mesh sizes typically range from 1 inch (25mm) to 2 inches (50mm). A 1-inch mesh stops arrows faster and more reliably. A 2-inch mesh is cheaper and easier to install, but arrows can travel further through it before stopping, especially if they hit at certain angles.

For most UK garden setups, 1.5 to 2-inch mesh is acceptable if your range is compact (under 15 metres long). If you're shooting beyond that, or if you're in a terraced property with neighbours close by, 1-inch mesh is the safer choice despite the higher cost.

Material: UHMWPE vs Nylon

Two materials dominate the market: ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and nylon.

UHMWPE is what serious archery backstops use. It's denser, resists UV degradation far better, and lasts 7–10 years outdoors without significant wear. It's heavier per square metre, which sounds like a disadvantage but actually helps it absorb arrow impact more effectively. The downside is cost—you'll pay 40–60% more for UHMWPE than nylon.

Nylon is cheaper and lighter, but it degrades faster in UK sunlight. Most nylon nets degrade noticeably after 3–4 years, and UV exposure causes the fibres to become brittle. This doesn't mean it won't work—it will catch arrows reliably for a few years—but you'll replace it sooner. Nylon also absorbs water, which adds weight when wet and can encourage mildew if it's bundled up damp.

For a garden range you plan to use regularly, UHMWPE is the better long-term investment. If this is a trial setup or you're budget-constrained, nylon works fine for the first few years.

Weight and Thickness

Heavier isn't automatically better, but it matters. Most backstop netting ranges from 100 gsm (grams per square metre) to 200 gsm. Lighter nets (100–120 gsm) are easier to handle during installation and repositioning, but they don't arrest arrows quite as effectively. A 150–180 gsm net offers a practical balance—heavy enough to reliably stop arrows, light enough that two people can manage installation.

Thickness and density are related but different. A dense material at low weight is better than a loose weave at high weight. Check product specifications for both grams per square metre and mesh size; they should correlate logically.

Posts and Frame Requirements

Netting only works if it's properly secured. Loose or sagging netting creates pockets where arrows can slip through or pass underneath. You need rigid posts and a sturdy frame.

For a typical garden range, use 75mm × 75mm timber posts or metal poles, spaced no more than 2 metres apart vertically. Posts need to go 600–750mm into the ground or concrete footings—shallow posts allow the frame to flex and shift under arrow impact. If your soil is clay or wet, concrete footings are essential.

Attach netting with rope or cable ties, not just staples. Staples alone will eventually pull free as the netting stretches and relaxes with temperature and weather. A rope threaded through the net perimeter and tied at each post holds much more securely.

Height should extend 2.5 to 3 metres at minimum. Arrows shot upward at distance can arc over lower netting. Many garden archers make the mistake of installing net that's too short and then wonder why arrows occasionally escape over the top.

Gates and Access

A single-person gate in your backstop creates a weak point. The standard fix is a 1–1.2 metre opening with a simple hinged frame that pulls tight when closed. Use the same mesh as the main net, and fit the gate frame so there are no gaps around the edges when latched.

Better still, angle the gate slightly inward (5–10 degrees) so arrows hitting it near the hinges are deflected downward rather than out through the sides.

Weather and Maintenance

UK weather means rain, wind, and limited sunlight. Even UHMWPE will benefit from a rinse every 12 months to remove algae and mildew—a soft brush and the garden hose is enough. Check rope ties and posts for rot or corrosion each spring; metal posts should be galvanised, and timber should be treated softwood or hardwood rather than untreated.

Wind loading is real. A gust can flex your frame significantly. This isn't inherently a problem, but it means your posts need to be truly solid. Wobbly posts will eventually fail.

What You'll Actually Spend

A decent UHMWPE backstop for a 12 × 3 metre range (typical for a garden) costs between £1,200 and £2,500 once you include posts, fixings, and installation labour or materials. Nylon costs 30–40% less but requires replacement sooner.

Don't treat backstop netting as optional or something to cheap out on. It's literally the thing that keeps arrows from damaging property or people. When you're ready to buy, read detailed product reviews that compare actual performance on the mesh types and weights available in the UK market.