Take Your Practice Beyond a Permanent Range
Table of Contents
A portable archery target makes it easier to fit practice into everyday life. You can move it into position for a backyard session, put it away when you finish, or take it to a permitted shooting location when traveling. The right target should be manageable to carry, simple to position, and compatible with the arrows you actually use.
However, a carrying handle alone does not make a target suitable for every trip. A bulky bag might be convenient between the garage and backyard but awkward to transport with camping equipment. A compact foam cube can fit more easily in a vehicle, although its smaller face demands more accurate shooting.
This guide compares five options for different routines: mixed-point practice, compact travel, straightforward block shooting, value-focused use, and regular field-point sessions. Selections are based on manufacturer specifications and practical suitability, rather than hands-on testing. Check current model details and availability before buying.
Quick Comparison
| Target | Suggested use | Format / size | Arrow compatibility | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinehart 18-1 | Mixed-point backyard and travel practice | Multi-face foam; 15 × 15 × 15 inches | Field points, broadheads, expandables | Smaller aiming area than large range targets |
| Morrell High Roller Foam Target Squared | Compact vehicle travel | Foam cube; 13 × 13 × 13 inches; 12 lb | Field points and broadheads | Confirm exact speed guidance for fast setups |
| BLOCK Classic 18 | Simple carry-handle block | Layered foam; 18-inch size option | Field points and broadheads | Two shootable faces |
| Black Hole 18 | Value-focused portable practice | Layered foam; 18-inch size option | Broadheads on open front/back; field points on wrapped sides | Up to 300 FPS with standard-diameter arrows |
| Morrell Yellow Jacket Swarm | Backyard field-point practice | Bag; 20 × 11 × 20 inches; 19 lb | Field points | 335 FPS; no broadheads |
Sources: manufacturer product pages linked under each pick. The Swarm’s field-point classification is also documented by Lancaster Archery Supply.
1. Rinehart 18-1 — Best Overall for Mixed-Point Practice
The Rinehart 18-1 is a versatile option when one travel target needs to accommodate field points, broadheads, and expandable broadheads. Rinehart lists a 15-inch cube footprint, a carrying handle, and 18 shooting zones made from its self-healing foam.
Its multiple faces provide different places to aim as you rotate the target, helping you avoid concentrating every session on one spot. The compact footprint also makes it worth considering when vehicle space is limited.
Advantages: Multiple shooting zones, broadhead compatibility, and an integrated carrying handle.
Considerations: The compact face gives less room for errors than a large target. Confirm compatibility with your exact equipment before shooting, especially with a fast crossbow.
Best fit: Archers who want a single target for varied practice at home and permitted destinations.
2. Morrell High Roller Foam Target Squared — Best Compact Travel Pick
The High Roller Foam Target Squared measures 13 inches on each side and weighs 12 pounds. Morrell lists six shooting sides, 21 bullseyes, an E-Z Tote handle, and compatibility with field points and broadheads.
Those dimensions make it an appealing choice for packing alongside other equipment. Its compactness also means the visible shooting area is relatively small, so it suits controlled practice at a distance appropriate to your accuracy.
Advantages: Compact cube shape, multiple aiming spots, and a carrying handle.
Considerations: The specification panel says “450+ FPS,” while broader copy discusses faster High Roller models. Confirm the limit for this exact item rather than assuming a family-wide claim applies.
Best fit: Shooters prioritizing compact packing over a large target face.
3. BLOCK Classic 18 — Best Straightforward Portable Block
The BLOCK Classic offers a familiar rectangular format with a top carrying handle. FeraDyne lists 18-inch and 22-inch versions, two shootable sides, and compatibility with field points and broadheads.
The 18-inch option is worth considering if you prefer a conventional block over a multi-face cube. Its layered construction is designed to stop arrows through friction, and the manufacturer emphasizes easy arrow removal.
Advantages: Simple format, top handle, and support for both field points and broadheads.
Considerations: It offers fewer shooting faces than the multi-face picks. The current page is inconsistent about whether aiming dots appear on one or both sides, so check current product photos and packaging.
Best fit: Archers who want an uncomplicated target to carry between home, vehicle, and range.
View BLOCK Classic size options
4. Black Hole 18 — Best Value-Focused Option
The Black Hole offers four-sided shooting with an important distinction between its faces. Field points, fixed-blade broadheads, and expandable broadheads can be used on the open front and back. The wrapped woven sides are for field points only.
FeraDyne rates the current model to 300 FPS with standard-diameter arrows. That makes equipment compatibility essential: this is not an automatic choice for a fast compound bow or crossbow.
Advantages: Portable construction, multiple shooting faces, and broadhead-approved open faces.
Considerations: Observe the 300 FPS limit and face-specific rules. Compare current prices before treating it as the least expensive option.
Best fit: Buyers seeking a portable target for equipment that falls within its published limits.
View Black Hole target options
5. Morrell Yellow Jacket Swarm — Best for Backyard Field-Point Sessions
The Yellow Jacket Swarm is a bag target intended for routine field-point practice. Morrell lists a 20 × 11 × 20-inch body, 19-pound weight, carrying handle, and 335 FPS maximum speed.
Its larger face may appeal to backyard shooters who prefer more aiming space than a compact cube. However, at 19 pounds it is a more convincing short-carry option than a target for long walks with other gear.
Advantages: Generous face, carrying handle, and weather-resistant exterior.
Considerations: Use field points only. Morrell advises against outserts and points wider than the arrow shaft. Its speed limit also excludes faster setups.
Best fit: Compound and traditional-bow users practicing with compatible field-point arrows.
How to Choose a Portable Archery Target
Start With Your Arrowheads and Equipment
Choose compatibility before convenience. Decide whether your target needs to handle field points, fixed broadheads, expandable broadheads, or a combination. Then check the exact model’s speed rating and any restrictions on arrow diameter or components.
Do not infer broadhead compatibility from a target’s appearance. A bag and a foam block may be similar in size but have different approved uses. Equally, one target can have separate instructions for different faces, as the Black Hole demonstrates.
Decide What Portable Means for Your Routine
Think about the longest distance you will carry the target. A short trip from storage to the shooting position creates different requirements from a walk across uneven ground. Compare loaded weight, grip comfort, dimensions, and the space remaining in your vehicle.
Measure your available storage space before ordering. Allow room for doors to close, handles to protrude, and other equipment to fit without crushing the target. Carrying a target should also leave you able to transport your bow securely.
Balance Shooting Area Against Packing Size
A smaller target can be easier to pack, but it leaves less room for an imperfect shot. Choose a size suitable for your present accuracy and intended distance. Begin at a manageable range rather than using a small portable target to attempt unfamiliar long-distance shots.
For a shared backyard setup, consider the least experienced shooter. A larger face may be the more practical choice even if it takes additional vehicle space. The target and backstop should work together to contain shots; a large face does not eliminate misses.
Check Maintenance and Ownership Costs
Look beyond the purchase price. Consider whether the cover can be replaced, whether the target has several usable faces, and how readily you can obtain spare parts. Avoid assuming that every portable foam target has a replaceable core.
Your practice habits matter too. A target used occasionally for sight confirmation serves a different workload from one receiving frequent groups. A cheaper purchase can become less economical if its approved use does not match your routine.
Setting Up a Backyard or Travel Practice Area
Check local requirements and obtain permission for the location before shooting. A portable target does not make a public park, campsite, or unfamiliar open area an approved archery range.
Choose a position with a suitable backstop and a clear area behind and beside the target. Avoid locations where people, pets, roads, paths, or neighboring property could enter the arrow’s line of travel. If the space cannot safely contain a miss or pass-through, use a designated range.
Set the target securely according to its instructions, and establish one shooting line. Everyone should stop shooting before anyone approaches to retrieve arrows. Recheck the layout whenever you move the target; a convenient position may not be a safe position.
Packing and Caring for Your Target
Keep the target secure during transport so it cannot slide into your other equipment. Remove arrows before loading it, and keep sharp broadheads in appropriate protective storage. Dry and clean the target as needed before putting it away.
Inspect handles, covers, foam, and stopping performance regularly. Spread practice among approved aiming areas rather than using one tiny spot indefinitely. Weather-resistant construction is useful, but sensible covered storage reduces unnecessary exposure between sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which portable target is best for broadheads?
Choose an explicitly broadhead-approved model that fits your equipment. The Rinehart 18-1, High Roller Squared, and BLOCK Classic offer mixed-point use; the Black Hole restricts broadheads to its open faces.
Can I use a portable target with a crossbow?
Only when the exact model supports your crossbow and arrow setup. A portable label does not establish stopping capacity. Check speed limits, approved points, and any manufacturer instructions before shooting.
Is a bag target easier to travel with than a foam cube?
It depends on weight, dimensions, and carrying distance. Compare the actual models rather than the category. A compact cube can take less packing space, while a larger bag can provide more shooting area.
Can I leave my target outdoors?
Follow its care instructions. Weather resistance does not guarantee indefinite outdoor life. Covered storage when practical helps reduce exposure and makes it easier to inspect the target before the next session.
Are these Amazon affiliate links?
The links here lead to manufacturer pages for specification checks. They are not tagged Amazon affiliate links. For an Amazon affiliate article, use your own approved link to the matching model and include your site’s affiliate disclosure.
Which Target Should You Choose?
Consider the Rinehart 18-1 for varied arrowhead practice or the High Roller Squared when compact packing is a priority. The BLOCK Classic 18 offers a simple carry-handle block, while the Black Hole 18 suits compatible equipment within its lower speed limit. The Yellow Jacket Swarm is a useful option for backyard field-point sessions when its size and weight suit your routine.
Choose the target that matches your arrows, transport needs, and approved shooting location. That combination makes portable practice more convenient without sacrificing the requirements of a proper range.
