Mathews Lift X 29.5 Compound Bow

The Mathews Lift X 29.5 is a $1,359 compact hunting flagship that answers a question most bows make you choose sides on: it is fast and light and easy to tune, all at once. Up to 348 fps IBO from a 3.99-lb frame is a rare combination, and the real-world numbers - low-330s with a 350-grain arrow at 30 inches and 70 lbs - confirm it hits hard for its size. Limb Shift Technology moves tuning out of the shop, the ARC7 limbs close the durability chapter that shadowed the 2024 Lift, and the new BOND grip fixes the torque complaint that dogged earlier Mathews hunters. What stays with me is how calm this short, quick bow feels at the shot - 79 dB, no hand shock, silent enough that a deer never flinches. The short valley and the form-demanding compact frame are the trade for that speed and maneuverability, and both are things to shoot before you commit. An excellent bow for the tight-quarters and pack-in hunter who counts ounces and inches and wants flagship quiet in a short package. Buyers who want a more forgiving valley for less money should also look at the Hoyt Ventum Pro 30, and those set on a carbon riser and the lightest build should consider the PSE Mach 30 DS... read full review