So You Want To Own A Flagship Bow: The Cost of Ownership
Using Mathews ARC 34 starting price of $1,600 we examine the true cost of Modern Flagship Bow Ownership
By: Justin Campbell | Equalized Outdoors Newsroom
I recently opened my Instagram messages and found a message from a good friend with a question about archery. Specifically, she asked for an affordable compound bow to research. So, me being me, I sent her an option from Mission Archery, the little brother of Mathews Archery. I recommended she check out the Styrde-28, which currently retails for $600, as well as some other ready-to-hunt bows.
A short while later that same day, I saw she tagged me in a TikTok post and was recounting the story to her audience. In short, our opinions on cheap varied drastically. Not from an affordability standpoint, but because she’s more familiar with firearms. That got me thinking she can’t be the only one, so I decided to write this article that breaks down the cost of everything currently on my Mathews ARC 34. The ARC 34 is Mathews' flagship bow, and a new one is set to arrive shortly.
Darton Archery’s latest flagship bows were released less than 24 hours before this article, and with November around the corner, there’s plenty more where that came from. For many archers and bowhunters, this is undoubtedly one of the best times of the year. The pre-rut is on, and the rut is around the corner. New bows are being released, and our favorite brands will have some of their best sales of the year the day after Thanksgiving.
But for the uninitiated, the costs go well beyond the bow itself. At a bare minimum, you need the bow, a rest, a sight, a peep sight, arrows, a quiver, and a release. And unless you’re buying a Ready to Hunt (RTH) package, these items are sold separately. Most RTH packages aren’t offered with flagship bows either, but that’s a different article. Optional items include aftermarket strings, a bow carrier system (aka the Bow Hitch Promo Code: EQOD30), stabilizers (front, rear, or both), a bow stand (aka limb legs), and aftermarket peep sights with visual aids.
This can be daunting for those starting from scratch. The good news is that it truly is buy once, cry once. Today’s flagship bows will last you a lifetime. Then, should you choose to upgrade, most things will transfer from one iteration to another unless you are switching brands.
Please keep in mind that there are multiple options for each of these accessories, and this is purely an example of the cost to get into a top-of-the-line flagship hunting bow. That said, below is the complete list of my 2026 setup.
Again, your mileage may vary, but this is the setup that works for me. It can certainly be cheaper, and it can also become even more expensive. The difference between what I paid for my ARC 34 and the accessories ($2,638.07) represents a 165% increase from the initial $ 1,600.
If you're shopping for your first bow, head to your local pro shop and let them know your budget for the bow and accessories. They will work with you to evaluate your options and help you stay within your budget. Ask whether the initial setup and tuning are included or if those services incur an additional fee. Allow yourself room to evaluate multiple setups within your budget and use this guide to help you research before you pull the trigger.
My conversation with my friend reminded me how easily we can take knowledge for granted as veterans of the sport. Hopefully, laying out my setups gives the next person a clearer idea of the potential cost of flagship bow ownership.
If you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, head over to Legacy Archery and tell them Equalized Outdoors sent you.
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