Review: 2025 Mathews LIFT X 29.5
Mathews LIFT X brings shooting and accuracy to a whole new level
The Mathews LIFT X builds on the platform introduced with last year's LIFT with some new innovative features. First, it comes in two sizes, 29.5 inches, and 33 inches Axle to Axle. This bow I'm reviewing is the 29.5-inch version which is better suited to my draw length.
While much of the technology associated with last year's LIFT was retained in the LIFT X; there is one feature that I really liked and that is the new Limb Shift Technology (LST) which makes tuning incredibly easy and fast.
Let me explain.
I'm a fanatic on bow tuning and achieving perfect arrow flight. Prior to the LIFT X, if you wanted a perfect paper hole you had to press your bow, remove the cams, and try a bunch of different sized bushings called top-hats until your arrow flight was perfect. The new 2025 LIFT X eliminates all of that. With Mathew's new Limb Shift Technology, you simply adjust the top and bottom cam centering in relation to the bow. No more trips to the pro shop for tuning.
Mathews has also improved limb consistency and durability with the introduction of Arc7 limb technology. While I have always found Mathews' limbs extremely durable and reliable, they still made them better.
New grip options have also been introduced this year with the Bond Grip System. These grips simply snap onto the bow with no adhesives and allow you to customize the grip to what feels best in your hands. The three grip types introduced are the Engage Grip, the Taper Grip, and the Contour Grip. The best way to find out what grip you like is to head to a pro shop.
Video Review
LIFT X Characteristics
Balance and Feel: This bow has great balance by itself, and it can be customized to your preference with an optional Bridge-Lock stabilizer. It's getting hard to judge the balance and feel for Mathews' bows in the last 5 years as all bows since the V3X are outstanding in this category.
Hand Shock: This is another category that is hard to compare, as I experienced no hand shock at all. Particularly when utilizing the entire LIFT X system it's basically just a dull thump after release.
Draw Cycle: So, I'm on the fence with the draw cycle. With both the LIFT, and LIFT X, the valley feels very thin, so the slightest creep and that bow wants to take off. For me personally, I wish the valley was more forgiving. I do, however, love the back wall.
Speed:This LIFT X-29 got a bit faster at 348 feet per second stated IBO. While it's very stable at that speed, my comment on draw cycle is affected by physics to achieve more speed.
Accuracy: It's always hard to talk about accuracy so I base my description on how accurate I am shooting with this bow. And the best way to describe that is simply amazing. I had the bow tuned and ready in one hour, and after 30 minutes of sighting I was dead ringing the ten at 30 yards.
LIFT X Accessories
Now let's talk about the accessories starting with the new Mathews UV Slider sight. It follows all Bridge-Lock configurations and mounts directly into the riser using a dove tail mount. The UV Slider comes in a 1,3 or 5 pin configuration. It is a slider, so you can flip a locking lever and rotate the Elevation wheel based on your preference. Windage is controlled by a micro-adjust knob inside the Elevation wheel. And you can also configure a return to zero - or in my case 20 yards. The sight also has an integrated, rechargeable sight light that can be removed easily. Like all quality sights it allows for 2nd and 3rd axis adjustments. This is, by far, the most impressive sight I have ever used!
Additional accessories designed for the Bridge-Lock riser are the integrated Ultrarest Integrate MX2, LowPro detachable quiver, and the Bridge-Lock stabilizer which comes in a variety of lengths.
Specifications
My bow arrived in Mid-November, and I started setting it up the next day. I sighted it in and was so confident in my tune, and accuracy that I climbed up into a treestand that same afternoon. A mature doe fed by in my food plot and I took a hard quartering away shot on her at 20 yards. The shot was perfect, and the deer didn't go far.
Go to your Mathews dealer and try out the 2025 LIFT X 29.5. If you want a longer bow, then check out LIFT X 33. It's important to try any bow before you shoot them. Just because I love a bow doesn't mean you will - but I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it - along with all the accessories.
Conclusion
The LIFT X system, including the UV Slider, and integrated accessories is just phenomenal. Mathews just keeps on pushing forward, making great platforms better.
