The kisser button is widely used, and most archers do not find it a nuisance
1 study · 15 archers measured
The summary today
There is only one piece of evidence, and it is opinion gathered from a few people. A closed questionnaire given to 15 Indonesian experts, provincial officials, coaches and archers finds that 11 had used a kisser and 4 never had, and that 11 do not find it distracting while shooting while 4 do: those who complain about it mention difficulty getting used to it, minor injuries and an unpleasant smell after long use. All 15 answer that the kisser is not compulsory, and 12 out of 15 would welcome an alternative aid to consistency. The questionnaire is part of the development of a cap designed to replace the kisser, so it is looking precisely for reasons to propose an alternative, and the question about the nuisance was put to everyone, including those who had never used a kisser. Whether the kisser makes the anchor more repeatable or the score higher, nobody has measured.
Also phrased as: "kisser"; "does the kisser bother you"; "lip reference on the string"; "kisser button discomfort"
In practice
On a recurve string the kisser is fitted almost out of habit, as a second anchor reference, and it is taken for granted that after the first few weeks you no longer notice it.
Evidence
-
2025
For Archers Published later
A closed online questionnaire given to 15 Indonesian experts, provincial officials, coaches and archers: 11 had used a kisser and 4 never had; asked whether the kisser is distracting while shooting, 11 answer no and 4 yes. The question was put to all 15, including those who had never used one.
Needs Assessment for the Development of Archerymad Hat as an Alternative to Replace the Kisser Button in Archery · Zaskya Riski Yanda, Razali Razali, Muhammad Iqbal, Amiruddin Amiruddin, Iskandar Iskandar, Zahara Zahara
-
2025
Context Archers Published later
The 4 who find it a nuisance cite difficulty getting used to it, the risk of minor injuries and an unpleasant smell after long use. Asked whether the kisser is compulsory, all 15 answer no.
Needs Assessment for the Development of Archerymad Hat as an Alternative to Replace the Kisser Button in Archery · Zaskya Riski Yanda, Razali Razali, Muhammad Iqbal, Amiruddin Amiruddin, Iskandar Iskandar, Zahara Zahara
-
2025
Context Archers Published later
12 out of 15 are in favour of developing a new aid to consistency and 3 against. The questionnaire is the needs assessment for a cap designed as an alternative to the kisser, and that purpose should be kept in mind when reading the answers.
Needs Assessment for the Development of Archerymad Hat as an Alternative to Replace the Kisser Button in Archery · Zaskya Riski Yanda, Razali Razali, Muhammad Iqbal, Amiruddin Amiruddin, Iskandar Iskandar, Zahara Zahara
Status history
- 2025 Reported The only source of data so far is a closed questionnaire given to 15 Indonesian experts, officials, coaches and archers: 11 had used the kisser and 11 do not find it a nuisance, while all 15 say it is not compulsory. The four who find it a nuisance mention difficulty getting used to it, minor injuries and an unpleasant smell with long use, and twelve out of fifteen would welcome an alternative aid. It is evidence from archers, but of opinion, from few people and with a declared purpose, that of proposing an alternative: reported.
Related
Related articles
Cite
Campagna, M. (2026). The kisser button is widely used, and most archers do not find it a nuisance (Version 1). In Evidence Registry. Retrieved 16 October 2026, from https://matteocampagna.com/en/registry/equipment/kisser-button-nuisance
@misc{campagna2026_kisserfastidio,
author = {Campagna, Matteo},
title = {The kisser button is widely used, and most archers do not find it a nuisance},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Evidence Registry, matteocampagna.com},
url = {https://matteocampagna.com/en/registry/equipment/kisser-button-nuisance},
note = {Version 1; accessed 2026-10-16}
}
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