According to Bowhunting World Field Editor Darron McDougal, from a fit-and-feel standpoint, the 2024 Mathews LIFT 29.5’s most notable attribute is it weighs about a half pound less than the company’s 2023 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,” he said, “the LIFT’s Bridge-Lock Riser flaunts so many more details in a sleeker, trimmer design. It’s brilliant.”
McDougal was also impressed with the bow’s speed. “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.”
“At the shot, there’s zero hand shock,” McDougal continued. “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.”
Check out McDougal’s detailed YouTube video below.
Mathews LIFT 29.5 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
- MSRP: $1,329
- Contact: www.mathewsinc.com
Additional Notes: The Mathews 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.
