Mathews’ annual mid-November launch day has truly become a bowhunter’s holiday, and for good reason. The market is filled with great-shooting bows, but Mathews continues to be the brand to beat, largely because it stays in its own lane and drives innovation year after year. If you haven’t put your hands on the company’s new-for-2024 flagship bow, then you’re in for a real treat.
The LIFT 29.5 and 33 went public on Nov. 14, 2023. Although most of us were in stands, blinds or stalking bucks that day, who could help but check Mathews’ social media pages in between deer encounters? If you did, you found that the LIFT incorporates some notable technological leaps that elevate the archery experience to the next level. But, looking isn’t enough. You just have to get one in your hands to truly appreciate all that this stud offers. Let’s review the highlights along with my observations from my recent test.
Test Bow Specs
- Axle-to-Axle Length: 29.5 inches
- Brace Height: 6 inches
- Draw Length: 27.5 inches
- Draw Weight: 72.9 pounds
- Let-off: 85%
- Bow-only Weight: 3.99 pounds
- Accessorized Total Weight: 6 pounds (with 12-inch stabilizer and 8-inch sidebar stabilizer)
- Velocity: 289 fps with 468-grain Easton 6.5mm Acu-Carbon 340 arrow; 292 with 456-grain CX Maxima Triad 350 arrow; 295 with 441-grain Victory VAP SS 350 arrow
- Kinetic Energy: 86.71 foot-pounds (Easton); 86.25 foot-pounds (CX); 85.13 foot-pounds (Victory)
- Test-Bow Finish: Earth Fade-To-Black (photo above)
- MSRP: $1,329
- Contact: www.mathewsinc.com
The New
Racy. That word rang through my mind as my eyes first met Mathews’ new LIFT 29.5. Even before referencing the feature list I was supplied, I immediately noticed some considerable differences while comparing it to my Phase4. People don’t want to spend more than $1,300 on a bow that’s virtually last year’s model renamed, which isn’t remotely a concern here.
From a fit-and-feel standpoint, the LIFT’s most notable attribute is it weighs about a half pound less than the Phase4. At 3.99 pounds, it is extremely lightweight as far as high-end machined-aluminum bows go. This was achieved by reengineering the riser to cut weight without sacrificing strength and dependability. Laid beside my Phase4, the LIFT’s Bridge-Lock Riser flaunts so many more details in a sleeker, trimmer design. It’s brilliant.
Next, the LIFT delivers a speed boost, which I welcome because I shoot a relatively short 27.5-inch draw length. Never have my mid-400-grain arrows breached the 290-fps mark, but fired out of the LIFT 29.5, my current 441-grain hunting arrow — Victory’s VAP SS — sizzled out at 295 fps. Those with longer draw lengths should easily be in the 300s, even with stout hunting arrows.
The additional velocity is the product of a 6-inch brace height and the new Mathews SwitchWeight X Cam. During the draw cycle, the weight feels like it stacks a little bit differently than with the predecessor CrossCentric Cam featured on previous few flagship bows. If anything, the weight seems to distribute more evenly, and it lets off a little bit more smoothly than the CrossCentric Cam, at least in my opinion.
Appearance-wise, the SwitchWeight X Cam looks a little trimmer and exhibits more detailed cutouts than the CrossCentric Cam, obviously making it lighter without compromising strength. It’s an improvement for sure. As the name suggests, the new cam is compatible with SwitchWeight modules. Adjust the LIFT 29.5 from 24.5-31.5 inches and 55-80 pounds via SwitchWeight modules, which are available in 80 or 85% let-off, as you’re probably aware.
Ready for something else? Mathews rigs the LIFT with its all-new MATCH bowstring and cable set. MATCH strings and cables are custom-built in-house from a proprietary blend of BCY ultra-low wax 452X fiber, and they’re designed to optimize the LIFT’s performance. They deliver quality, dependability and performance beyond what previous Zebra Bowstrings did.
A new proprietary top-mounted axle allowed Mathews to shorten the limbs — another way that engineers shaved some weight. Rather than pass through the limbs, the axle now passes through a machined component that is practically grafted to the top of each limb. It looks more like a continuation of the limbs rather than an add-on or afterthought — it fits like a glove. The system is stronger, stabler and more dependable.
The Engage Grip is back and compatible with Shot Sense, which is a new Mathews accessory that you, the dealer, can sell separately. The Shot Sense electronic module integrates directly into the LIFT’s grip to track, record and analyze every shot. The analytics are available for review, giving the archer shot feedback in real time. Past shots can be reviewed and compared with other shot data. Each shot has lots of details to review and is given a score. If you notice that your arrows are missing in a consistent direction, the analytics will help you identify the cause and give you the chance to correct it. Shot Sense will help you learn a lot about your shooting and give you the opportunity to become a more consistent and accurate shooter.
The Proven
Mathews wisely brought back the Bridge-Lock mounting systems for a dovetail bowsight and Mathews Bridge-Lock stabilizers, as well as the Integrate rest mount. I said it in last year’s Phase4 report, and I’ll say it again now: These streamlined accessory mounts not only allow for the tight-fitting LowPro Quiver, but they’re the most streamlined and rigid mounting systems a bow can have. Mounting accessories directly to the riser with no need for conventional mounting brackets reduces accessory weight and creates a more positive connection. And, positioning the rest and sight at the center of the riser yields the best accessorized balance that money can buy, as I’ve written previously.
Like the Phase4, the LIFT incorporates Resistance Phase Damping, which utilizes eight different limbs, allowing a silencing rubber to be sandwiched in between each limb pair to thwart vibrations right where they’re generated. It’s just amazing how quiet the Phase4 and now the LIFT are as a result of this brilliant technology. Other proven elements are the CenterGuard Cable Containment System, which uses ball bearings to reduce friction during the draw cycle, and Mathews Monkey Tails, which mute string vibrations.
How It Handles and Shoots
I received the LIFT in early November, so I didn’t get around to setting it up and testing it until just before an Illinois deer hunt at the end of November. I prefer more time to test a bow, but I was acclimated to it in minutes. I first spent some time paying close attention to the draw cycle. It’s nice and smooth and stacks evenly throughout the pull, as I mentioned earlier. The back wall is extremely solid. It just feels good.
At the shot, there’s zero hand shock. It’s unreal how smoothly it draws and shoots. And, it’s accurate. Due to single-digit temps the day I took it outside, I didn’t shoot very far, but it is pinpoint accurate. I’ve accurately shot my Phase4 out to 120 yards, and I’ll obviously expect the same results with the LIFT based on my initial results. I know immediately when I am working with a bow that will shoot, and this one instilled those feelings.
Final Thoughts
Before I conclude, I want to note that the Integrate MX2 rest is new and reconfigured to offer a beefier launcher and silencing material cladding. Also, Mathews has added some new finishes on the LIFT, including Earth, Mossy Oak Bottomland and the new Fade-To-Black Series. I went with the Earth Fade-To-Black series, and it’s lights-out stunning.
There’s a reason that Mathews launch day is highly anticipated by bowhunters. Mathews is on a roll with launching truly beneficial features, and the LIFT proves that. It is a phenomenal bow at a price that aligns with the high-end-bow market standard. I can’t wait to get it in the woods, and after shooting an arrow or two through one, I bet your customers will experience that same anticipation.
Editor’s note: Click here to watch McDougal’s detailed YouTube video review of the Mathews LIFT 29.5.
Additional Notes: The LIFT 29.5 was set up using a Last Chance Archery EZ Green Bow Press and EZ Green Bow Vise, and the draw weight was calculated using Last Chance Archery’s Digital Bow Scale. A Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph measured the arrow velocities. Other products used were Easton’s Nock and D-Loop Pliers and Pro Hex Fold-Up Allen Set. Arrows were weighed on Last Chance Archery’s Pro Grain Scale.
In-the-field photos by Becca and Darron McDougal
