Hunters tall and small rejoice. Matthews Archery got a little more inclusive for 2025. I know, most of you don’t have to worry about it. But the fact is, a fair number of archers (like me) have a really hard time finding bows that fit. That’s part of the reason that I’m stoked to write about the 2025 Matthews Archery lineup.
The line includes the LIFT X, LIFT XD, and LIFT RS. These similar models showcase innovative technologies to enhance tuning precision, durability, and, most importantly, shooter customization.
“The LIFT X continues to push the envelope of bow technology,” said Brad Treu, Mathews’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He added that the LIFT X is the brand’s “most versatile hunting system to date.”
Each year, new bows hit the market, all of which promise to be the best that’s ever taken to the field. What jumps out at this particular GearJunkie is the span of shooter sizes accommodated by this launch. The LIFT X covers the average hunter sizes, while the LIFT XD offers draw lengths up to 33.5″.
And then there’s the LIFT RS. As a small-framed bowhunter, I’m constantly turning down bow tests because of my painfully short draw. Most smaller but still hunt-capable bows can only shrink to accommodate a 24″ draw length, just over-stretching my 23.5″ draw.
It’s like a sign from the bow-hunting gods that a bow has hit the market with my initials on it and exactly my quite uncommonly shrimpy draw length. I’m going to pretend it was made just for me. Shhhhhhh, don’t ruin it.
Enough of my delusions of grandeur …
Let’s look at the bows.
LIFT X
The flagship bow is the LIFT X, designed to offer precise tuning and customization for bowhunters. It has Limb Shift Technology (LST), allowing archers to micro-adjust the limb channel width without a bow press, optimizing limb balance and load for efficient tuning.
The ARC7 Limb Technology ensures enhanced durability and efficiency, while the BOND Grip System provides a great grip with a textured rubber surface for improved traction. You can grab a new LIFT X in either 29.5″ or 33″ axle-to-axle lengths.
This is the upgrade to the immensely popular LIFT, launched last year.
Specifications:
- Price: $1,359+
- Axle-to-axle: 29.5″ or 33″
- Brace height: 6.5″
- IBO rating: Up to 348 fps
- Draw weights: 55-80 lbs.
- Draw lengths: 24.5-30″
- Let-off: 80%, 85%
- Physical weight: 3.99 lbs.
- Cam: SwitchWeight X
LIFT XD
Tailored for long-draw archers, the LIFT XD accommodates draw lengths up to 33.5 inches and has a 6.75-inch brace height. It incorporates the oversized SwitchWeight X+ Cam, delivering speeds up to 363 fps. The LST and ARC7 Limb Technology are also featured on this bow, ensuring the same tuning and limb durability found in the LIFT X.
This is the bow for all those length archers who have to duck under doorways and can always reach the top shelf.
Specifications:
- Price: $1,469+
- Brace height: 6.75″
- IBO rating: Up to 363 fps
- Axle-to-axle: 33″
- Draw weights: 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 lbs.
- Draw lengths: 32-33.5″
- Let-off: 80% or 85%
- Physical weight: 4.31 lbs.
- CAM: SwitchWeight X
LIFT RS
The LIFT RS (reinsert my delusions again) caters to archers who prefer a compact design, with a 27.75″ axle-to-axle length and speeds up to 353 fps. Weighing just 3.92 pounds, it supports draw weights from 41 to 80 pounds. With draw lengths between 23.5″ and 29″, it is versatile for various archers, but let’s be real: the little guys are giddy about this one.
The LST and ARC7 Limb Technologies are also featured, along with the BOND Grip System for that solid grip. It’s a slick little bow with all the bells and whistles.
“Mathews made a bow that fits me?! Holy buckets. Wait … and it has my initials on it?! My bank account will never recover from this,” says Rachelle Schrute, GearJunkie Hunt & Fish Editor.
Specifications:
- Price: $1,359+
- Brace height: 5.5″
- IBO rating: Up to 353 fps (343 @ 29″)
- Axle-to-axle: 27.75″
- Draw weight: Standard limbs: 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 lbs. Lightweight Limbs: 41, 45, 49, 52, 56, 60 lbs.
- Draw lengths: 23.5-29″
- Let-off: 80% or 85%
- Physical weight: 3.92 lbs.
- CAM: SwitchWeight X
Initial Impressions
After I calm down about my very specific giddiness toward the 2025 bows, I’ll be able to speak a bit more rationally. Plus, I’ve yet to see these bows in person, much less have them in hand.
If I’m being blunt, Mathews tends only to release the best of the best, and I can’t imagine this will be any different. It’s hard to top modern bows, so the small tweaks and improvements go a long way. Will they go far enough to convince people to invest in another bow this year? It’s hard to say.
My Mathews TX-5 from half a decade ago or more shoots just as well as my newest bow, so convincing people to take the financial leap to another new bow might be a tough one.
As for me, hopefully, Santa is listening and overlooking my lesser deeds of the year because that LIFT RS in Earth with tan/brown details would look quite lovely under the tree (hint-hint).
Read the full article here
