Bowhunters who haven’t set foot in an archery pro shop in recent years might be in for a shock. Those models that were the cat’s meow 10 or even five years ago — the ones they so proudly carried home — are now relics by comparison to the new wave of feature-rich, technology-driven compound bows of today. Those archers who haven’t upgraded are missing out on a performance curve that has reached for the stars.

The Class of 2024-25 is a good example — a bevy of bows that push the envelope in terms of speed, accuracy, weight and noise reduction and a smooth-shooting experience. Today’s compound bows typically weigh in the neighborhood of 4 pounds, and many sport super-short axle-to-axle spans — perfect for hunting from tight places such as treestands and ground blinds. They are equipped with space-age cams and limbs that generate Incredible Hulk power, and coupled with today’s equally fantastic high-tech arrows push velocities to the outer limits — 340 fps and beyond. Top-shelf bowstrings and cables, string silencers, grips and string suppressors round out the package.

And then there are the add-ons — those ancillary items that retailers such as yourself can cash in on. Arrow rests, bowsights, stabilizers, quivers, wrist slings, releases, arrows, broadheads, slings, cases, oh my! It begins with the bow and ends with a cross-selling bonanza.

As the new class of bows arrives on the scene, retailers can count on foot traffic — similar to when the new lineup of pickup trucks hits the car dealer’s showroom floor. Most of these patrons have already read all the hype, waded through the specs and compared the features. Many are there to kick the tires, while others are ready to lay down their hard-earned cash to upgrade their bow shooting experience. Will you have the makes and models on hand that catch their eye? Here are eight compound bows that will elevate your customers’ game and increase your bottom line.

 

APA Archery Summit

Designed for maneuverability and enhanced in-the-field function, and built on APA Archery’s Pro Lite riser, the all-new 28-inch axle-to-axle Summit is packed with the company’s highest level of innovation, including APA’s Pro-Connect sling, Pro-Connect stabilizer and all-new Shift Tune technology, which allows archers to tune the bow effortlessly with no tools required. The bow weighs 3.4 pounds and produces IBO velocities up to 340 fps, with a forgiving 7.375-inch brace height. The Summit has up to 80 percent let-off, draw weights ranging from 40 to 70 pounds, and draw lengths from 25.5 to 30.5 inches. MSRP: $1,199; apaarchery.com

 

Bear Archery Legend 30 RTH

The Legend 30 RTH from Bear Archery features the Ready-to-Hunt package from Trophy Ridge, with an IMS V-Biscuit rest, Picatinny-mounted four-pin sight, five-arrow quiver, stabilizer, peep sight and wrist sling. With its compact 30-inch axle-to-axle length and 6.5-inch brace height, the Legend 30 strikes a balance between maneuverability and forgiveness. At the heart of the Legend 30 is the revolutionary DHC-XR hybrid cam, with draw lengths ranging from 18 to 31 inches. The Legend 30 also features draw adjustable weights from 14 to 70 pounds, ensuring a perfect fit for every shooter. The Bear Paw Grip provides comfort and control, while the Cable Roller System ensures smooth, consistent draws with minimal friction. MSRP: $629.99; beararchery.com

 

Bowtech Proven 34

Based on the Bowtech SS34 with new/added technologies such as Timelock, GripLock and a 2nd generation CenterMass Sight System, the Bowtech Proven 34 utilizes two different cam sets (STD and LD) to allow shooters of all draw lengths to use a 34-inch axle-to-axle length bow. Two premium packages — Treestand and Mountain — simplify the buying experience, featuring products that are expertly designed to complement each other, ensuring the bow is perfectly balanced and performs at its peak. The Treestand package includes the bow, Centermass Dualtrac sight, quiver and 6-inch stabilizer and Ripcord cable-driven rest. The Mountain package includes the bow, Centermass five-pin sight and 8-inch stabilizer, Tightspot five-arrow quiver and Ripcord limb-driven rest. MSRP: $1,449.99; $2,399.99/Package; bowtecharchery.com

 

Elite Archery Exalt-35

Elite Archery’s Exalt-35 features its new R.A.C. system, a revolutionary accessory connection platform that enables the mounting of various accessories, including Picatinny-style attachments, ensuring compatibility with Elite’s wide range of add-ons. Another key feature is the efficient SPX Cam System with smooth mods that generate IBO speeds up to 337 fps (344 fps with performance mods). And shooters can customize their setup for a perfect fit and feel every time, with let-off weights from 70 to 90 percent, S.E.T. technology for simplified, exact tuning, wider limbs with a strategic weight distribution on Elite’s dual caged riser to enhance aim-ability and balance for faster shot acquisition and Delta VRT vibration elimination. MSRP: $1,399.99; elitearchery.com

 

G5 Prime Archery Form

The all-new 34-inch axle-to-axle G5 Outdoors Prime Archery Form features Advanced Structures Technology (AST), which incorporates carbon where it is needed and aluminum where it is needed to increase strength, stiffness and precision. Prime’s Core Cam System allows for draw length specific mods, which delivers maximum efficiency at every draw length. The bow is equipped with a Picatinny sight mount for easy bowsight mounting, along with QAD’s Dovetail, machined directly into the RVX, which allows for additional rest mounting options. The Prime Archery Form delivers velocities up to 336 fps, has a brace height of 6.25 inches, draw lengths from 26.5 to 30.5 inches, and draw weights from 40 to 80 pounds. MSRP: $1,595; g5prime.com

 

Hoyt Carbon RX-9

With redesigned riser geometry and updated limbs and limb pockets, the Hoyt Carbon RX-9 is accurate, light, ultra-stable and fast. It has a speed increase at every available poundage and draw length over last year’s RX-8 (in some cases close to 20 fps), all while being lighter and containing a smoother draw cycle. The RX-9 measures 30.5 inches axle-to-axle and has a brace height of 6.125 inches. Weighing just 4 pounds, it generates an IBO speed of 342 fps, has 75-, 80- and 85-percent let-off options and 25- to 30-inch draw lengths. It is equipped with a HBX Generation 4 Improved Module System to ensure no performance is sacrificed at any available weight/draw length. MSRP: $2,099; hoyt.com

 

Mathews Lift X

The 2025 Mathews Lift X features the company’s new Limb Shift Technology, which allows archers to micro-adjust with the simple turn of a wrench — no bow press needed. In addition, ARC7 Limb technology delivers the most durable and efficient limbs Mathews has ever created, and its new Bond Grip System customizes the point of contact for every shooter. Ranging from 24.5- to 31.5-inch draw lengths and peak poundages from 55 to 80 pounds, the 2025 Lift X is available in 29.5- or 33-inch axle-to-axle variations, and is available in eleven finish options, including Mathews’ newest variations: KUIU Verde, Shale, and Shale Fade-to-Black. MSRP: Lift X 29.5/$1,359; Lift X 33/$1,469; mathewsinc.com

 

PSE Mach 33 DS Carbon

The Mach 33 DS Carbon from PSE is a masterpiece of modern engineering — an advanced, reliable and powerful hunting platform. Building on the success of the Mach 30, the Mach 33 offers a comfortable string angle, advanced features, exceptional feel and blistering speed. With PSE’s Dead Frequency Carbon, the Mach 33 is faster and stiffer, ensuring a crisp, quiet shot. The PSE Mach 33 is packed with features. The Precision Bow Tuning System (PBTS), captured roller guards and integrated sight and rest mounting options make setting up and tuning this bow an absolute breeze. With the longer effective brace height (6.625 inches) from the Full Draw Stability System, users get incredible speed and tremendous forgiveness. MAP: $1,899; psearchery.com