Mathews Lift RS Compound Bow

The Mathews Lift RS is the compact bow that refuses to behave like one. At a $1,399 launch MSRP it delivers the full 2025 Lift X platform - press-free Limb Shift tuning, redesigned ARC7 limbs, deep Bridge-Lock integration - in a 27.75-inch, 3.92-pound package that is among the lightest and most maneuverable hunting bows made, then backs it with real speed: 312 fps with a 434-grain arrow at a 28-inch draw, up to a rated 353 fps. What I keep coming back to is how well it aims for its size - the short-bow reputation for twitchiness simply does not show up on the target, where it prints tight groups out to 60 yards. The two-limb-set design quietly makes it one bow for a wide range of shooters, from an 80-pound hunting setup down to a 41-pound short-draw configuration that finally gives smaller-framed and younger archers a real Lift riser. The only firm rule is the 29-inch draw ceiling - measure honestly before you buy. An excellent bow for the saddle hunter, the box-blind whitetail chaser, and the short-draw archer who wants compact speed without compromise, particularly strong for tight-quarters treestand work. Buyers who draw longer should look at the Lift X 33, and those who want a longer, heavier bow with maximum dead-in-hand calm should also look at the Hoyt Ventum Pro 30... read full review