With the release of the Lift in 2024, Mathews introduced us to an all-new platform for their flagship bow. A stronger, lighter riser design, new limbs and limb pockets, and a new axle system ushered in a new generation of design and technology for us to enjoy.
In 2025, Mathews brings us the Lift X; a refined version of the popular bow that ups the game yet again.
Mathews Lift X 29.5 & 33
I’ve long said that judging a bow by its “on paper” specs is foolish. While it’s easy to debate numbers like axle-to-axle length, brace height, and IBO speeds, none of those things accurately represent how a bow draws, holds, and feels when shot. Â
Does a bow put a smile on your face when you release that arrow, and does that arrow repeatedly go where you want it to? That’s what matters to me.
But, with that said, let’s take a look at how the Lift X measures on paper.
Specs on the 2025 Mathews Lift X are listed below.
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| Â Lift X SPECS | Lift X 29.5 | Lift X 33 |
| Axle-to-Axle Length | 29.5″ | 33″ |
| Brace Height | 6″ | 6.5″ |
| IBO Rating | 348 FPS | 343 FPS |
| Let-Off | 80 or 85% | 80 or 85% |
| Bow Weight | 3.99 LBS | 4.26 LBS |
| Draw Weights | 55-80 LBS | 55-80 LBS |
| Draw Lengths | 24.5-30″ | 26-31.5″ |
| MSRP | $1,359 | $1,469 |
Limb Shift Technology
Without question, the biggest technical improvement on the Lift X is the addition of what Mathews calls “Limb Shift Technology.” Â
LST allows you to micro adjust the limb channel without the need of a bow press to help tune your bow for perfect arrow flight.
In short, no more tophats to mess with!
A quick turn of an allen screw will micro-adjust the position of a single limb tip, which changes the amount of pressure put on the cam to account for cam lean that is experienced at full draw.Â
So if you’re ever been frustrated by paper tuning issues and had to resort to pressing your bow and swapping tophats around, rejoice, for those days are now behind us!
New BOND Grips
Bow grips are a funny thing. What feels great to one archer is hated by another. It’s a very subjective thing that can make or break a person’s first impression of a new bow.
Personally speaking, I love the standard Engage grip that comes on the Mathews bows. I’ve experimented with sideplates and aftermarket grips, both of which I liked, but I keep coming back to the original Engage as my favorite.
However, understanding that not everyone is like me (which is probably a good thing), Mathews has released several new BOND grips, allowing for more options to meet your needs.
The BOND Engage comes with the standard 14 degree grip angle, the BOND Contour has the same 14 degree angle with a slightly wider and more contoured shape similar to Mathews grips from many years ago, the BOND Taper has a 17 degree angle and a wider, flat lower face, and BOND Side Plates are available for those who prefer to shoot directly off the bow’s riser.
Although I haven’t tried it yet, my buddy PJ Reilly from Lancaster Archery Supply highly recommends the Bond Taper as his favorite grip. And, after all, he is the resident bow “expert”.
ARC7 Limbs
Also new for 2025 are the ARC7 limbs, which are made with a new multi-step build process to ensure strength and durability across all limbs.Â
While this isn’t flashy and doesn’t make your bow look cooler or shoot faster, it’s certainly nice to know you’ve got the best limbs Mathews can make. Â
New Color Options
Almost as important as how a bow shoots is how it looks. After all, nobody wants an ugly bow.
Gone for 2025 are the solid granite color and Realtree Edge camo. Â
They have been replaced by Shale, which is a dark gray color, KUIU Verde camo, and a really cool Shale to Black option.
I went with a Shale riser and KUIU Verde limbs on my Lift X 33, and I think that is a killer combo.
Lift RS & Lift XD
Not wanting to forget about both the smaller and larger stature archers, Mathews also added the Lift RS and Lift XD to the lineup for this year.
The Lift RS is an even more compact version of the Lift platform measuring in at just 27.5″ axle-to-axle, with draw lengths all the way down to 23.5″ and draw weights down to 41 lbs. Â
This bow is designed for smaller archers who are looking for top-end features and performance.
The Lift XD is just the opposite. With it’s oversized cam system the Lift XD goes all the way out to 33.5″ draw lengths to accommodate those bigger folks with arms much longer than mine.
Overall Thoughts On the Lift X
Personally speaking, I think Mathews hit the nail on the head with the Lift X release. After coming out with an all-new platform in 2024 I knew we weren’t going to get another all-new bow this year. It’s just not possible to completely redesign your entire platform every year, and I think it’s about time that we’re all okay with that.
The new Limb Shift Technology solves the one big issue we’ve been asking Mathews to solve for a few years now, which is a major win in my book. That feature alone makes this bow worth the upgrade.
Not having to mess with pressing your bow, removing the axle, cam, and top hats to get a proper tune is HUGE for those of us who work on our own equipment.
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve always liked the Engage grip, but I’m eager to try some of the additional BOND grips to see how I like them. The Taper has certainly caught my attention so I’ll be trying that as soon as I can get my hands on one (pun intended).
Although I’m sad to see the Granite color option go away, the new Shale color looks great. I was always partial to Mathews original “Stone” color option, and this is very similar, although just a touch darker.
Overall, I think the Lift X is another win for the team at Mathews. It draws, holds, and shoots just as well as the original Lift with additional features to make tuning easier. What’s not to like?
Make sure you visit your local Mathews retailer to shoot the Lift X today, and let me know your thoughts on the new Lift X!
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