Watch Justin's Video Review
New bow launch day is basically a holiday around here. Today Mathews officially dropped their 2027 hunting lineup with the new ARC APEX series.
I will be totally honest with you. Last year’s ARC is going down in history as one of my favorite bows of all time. It’s quiet, completely dead in the hand, and holds like a rock. It doesn’t hurt that I’ve put down 3 great whitetail bucks with it as well.
So when Mathews told me they were upgrading the platform for 2027, I was eager to see exactly what they changed.
After getting my hands on the new APEX and putting it together, it is clear Mathews didn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, they gave us more varied sizing options and addressed some highly specific tuning problems that bowhunters have battled for years.
Three Sizes for Every Hunter
Last year we had two axle-to-axle options for the ARC. This year Mathews gave us three distinct models to pick from.
We have a compact 28-inch model, a mid-size 32-inch model, and a longer 35-inch model which conceivably could play double-duty as both a hunting and target bow.
The 28-inch bow is built for tight quarters and spits arrows out at 347 feet per second.
The 35-inch version is an absolute dream for bigger guys because it accommodates draw lengths up to 32.5 inches.
I went straight down the middle and set up the 32-inch model. It’s a bit more compact than my ARC 34, which I appreciate when hunting tighter spaces or run-and-gun hunting public ground out of my tree saddle.
Flite Cable Containment
The biggest technical upgrade on the APEX is the new Flite Cable Containment system.
In recent years, many bowhunters have switched to heavy fixed blade broadheads. To steer those big fixed blades accurately, you need high-profile fletching. The problem is high-profile vanes often cause clearance issues with your cables.
The Flite system completely solves this. It is a micro-adjustable roller guard that lets you move the cables inward or outward for perfect vane clearance. You no longer have to constantly rotate your arrow nocks to avoid hitting your cables.
As a bonus for tuning, you can also give this roller guard a quick micro-adjustment to clean up left or right paper tears before you ever have to mess with the limb shift system.
Upgraded SWX-3 Cams
The APEX uses the third-generation SWX-3 cams. The draw cycle feels incredibly smooth and similar to last year, but Mathews made tuning them much easier.
They removed the old timing holes on the cams and replaced them with precise laser-etched graduation marks. A quick glance at the etching tells you exactly where your timing is at.
A new string track further improves the cam’s dynamic performance, and it uses the same mods as the original ARC SWX-2 cam.
Riser Geometry and New Colors
Mathews removed some material from the inside of the riser to give the APEX a cleaner, more skeletonized look and shave some weight.
I ordered my bow in the new Sage color. Depending on the lighting, it shifts between green and gray, and it looks incredibly sharp paired with black limbs.
Mathews also added Mossy Oak Fall Foliage to the lineup this year, along with exclusive White and Bronze options for the 35-inch model, clearly aimed at the target shooters out there.
My Setup
As always, Mathews’ fit and finish on this bow is second to none. I like to keep my accessory setup pretty standard and simple. I’m looking for bulletproof performance with minimal chances of something going wrong.
An HHA Nytrx Pro Core CV2 sight with Bridge Lock mount, QAD Integrate rest, and Mathews Bridge Lock stabilizer is the perfect blend of durability and bulletproof performance that I’m looking for in my bowhunting rig.
New for this year, Mathews released a new LowPro Slim Quiver series that is 22 percent slimmer than their standard quivers. This quiver puts your arrows incredibly tight to the riser to improve balance and cut down vibration. It’s worth noting that the new Slim quiver series ONLY works with mechanical broadheads.
I decided to swap out the standard Engage grip for the Taper grip this year. It puts a little more material at the heel of my palm and gives me a 14-degree grip angle that feels natural and holds steady.
I need to put a few more arrows through this rig and shoot a few deer with it before I call it my new favorite bow, but it is certainly trending in the right direction.
Get to your local Mathews retailer and shoot one for yourself.
