Bear Archery Compound Bows Reviewed

Bear Archery has been a household name in the world of archery for decades. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into three of our favorite Bear Archery compound bows: the Escalate, Cruzer G-2 and Legit, representing three different categories: the best overall choice, the best bang for your buck and the best option for beginners. Each Bear Archery compound bow reviewed includes all the relevant specs and features in addition to pros, cons and our recommendation. Keep your personal needs in mind and read the reviews to find the right Bear Archery compound bow for you.

Our Favorite Bear Archery Compound Bows

Before getting into the full reviews, take a brief look at our top picks. If one seems like it might be a better choice for you, be sure to read through its pros and cons below.

Bear Archery Escalate: Our overall top pick, it’s a high-end compound bow that’s accurate while packing a punch.

Bear Archery Cruzer G-2: With a lot of features and adjustability at an affordable price, this is our go-to “best bang for your buck.”

Bear Archery Legit: If you’re a beginner or youth archer, this compound bow is user-friendly and highly adjustable.

The Bear Archery Brand

Bear Archery has been a prominent name in the world of archery since 1933. Founded by the legendary Fred Bear, the company has become famous for producing high-quality bows in a range of models that meet the needs of many different types of archers, from beginners to experienced bowhunters. Bear Archery’s main claim to fame is the craftsmanship of their recurve and longbows, but they have recently become a top choice for those seeking reliable and powerful compound bows as well.

The Benefits of Bear Archery Compound Bows

Bear Archery compound bows offer a unique combination of performance, durability and user-friendliness. Whether you’re an experienced hunter, a target shooter or total beginner, there’s likely a Bear Archery model that’s ideal for your personal needs and situation. With cutting-edge technology, high-quality materials and a wide range of adjustability, Bear Archery bows are known for their reliability and precision across many skill levels.

Best Overall: Bear Archery Escalate

Features and Specs

Arrow Speed: 339 fps

The Bear Archery Escalate has an impressive arrow speed of 338 feet per second, making it a powerful choice for experienced archers. A fast arrow speed translates to better accuracy and more kinetic energy upon impact. This means you can hunt bigger game over longer ranges.

Draw Weight: 45-60 lbs or 55-70 lbs

The Escalate has two draw weight options: 45-60 lbs or 55-70 lbs. This gives you the versatility to choose the appropriate amount of power for your upper-body strength as well as your hunting purposes. Bigger game and longer distances, such as hunting elk out west, requires more power. 

Similarly, the adjustable draw weight is beneficial for adapting to different hunting or target shooting scenarios. You can calibrate the bow to your personal skill level and preferences.

Draw Length: 26-30 inches

You can adjust the Escalate’s draw length from 26 to 30 inches, making it appropriate for archers of many sizes. To get your exact draw length, you’ll have to have it measured at your local archery supply store, but you can estimate it by taking your height in inches, subtracting 15 and then dividing by two.

Using this formula, the Escalate works for archers from 5’5″ to 6’3″ with a couple of inches of leeway on either side of that. This works for most men, a lot of women and even some teenagers and large children.

ATA Length: 31 inches

The axle-to-axle (ATA) length of the Escalate is 31 inches. This gives it a good balance between stability and maneuverability. You can more easily wiggle it into your tree stand without banging around, but it’s still easy to shoot accurately without too much time on the range.

Brace Height: 6.5 inches

The Escalate features a 6.5-inch brace height. Like the ATA length, this provides a balance between forgiveness and performance. A shorter brace height often results in increased arrow speed while a longer one can make the bow more forgiving of shooter errors. 6.5 inches gives you the best of both worlds.

Weight: 4.3 lbs

Weighing in at 4.3 lbs, the Escalate is a relatively lightweight compound bow. This makes it easier to carry and maneuver during long hunting trips or just getting into your tree stand.

Let-Off: 75-90%

The Escalate’s max let-off is 90 percent. In other words, even when using the bow’s maximum draw weight of 70 pounds, you only have to hold seven pounds at full draw. That minimizes strain on your shoulder muscles, so you can hold a steady aim for a longer period of time, which is often necessary while you wait for your quarry to move into range.

Pros of the Bear Archery Escalate

Speed and Accuracy

The Escalate’s arrow speed of 339 fps makes for quick, precise shots, especially if you’re an experienced archer who knows how to shoot over a long range. The higher speed reduces arrow drop over distance, and that makes your sight pins  more accurate.

Smooth Draw Cycle

The Bear Archery Escalate has a particularly smooth draw cycle that creates a comfortable and consistent shooting experience. It cuts down considerably on strain on your shoulder and arm muscles. Although this feature is more important when you’re shooting repeatedly at the range, it can definitely give you more consistency if you need to make a second shot on a hunt.

Highly Adjustable

The Escalate has two draw weight options, either adjustable between 45 and 60 pounds or 55 and 70 pounds. The draw length is also adjustable between 26 and 30 inches. 

This level of customization helps you match the bow to your size and height, upper-body strength and skill level. Shorter women, tall beginners, experienced teenagers—a wide range of archers can use this bow successfully.

Minimal Noise and Vibration

The Escalate features noise and vibration reduction technology. This makes it ideal for stealthy hunting situations. That includes hunting clever, mature whitetail bucks as well as astute elk on the plains.

Durable Construction

Bear Archery uses high-quality materials and craftsmanship in general, but especially in the construction of the Escalate. As a result, you get a long-lasting and reliable compound bow. It’s a good bow for using multiple seasons in rough conditions and terrain.

Cons of the Bear Archery Escalate

High-End Price Tag

The Escalate comes with a higher price tag compared to other Bear models, so if you’re on a budget, keep reading. This bow is a good option for serious archers who want a high-performance bow to use on multiple hunts season after season.

Hard for Beginners

Because of its advanced features and high power, the Escalate may not be the best for those just starting out. Even though the Escalate does have a considerable amount of adjustability, this may be overwhelming for new archers who don’t know exactly what they need. If you’re a beginner, we suggest skipping ahead to the Bear Archery Legit.

Who Should Consider the Bear Archery Escalate?

We recommend the Bear Archery Escalate for experienced archers and hunters who are looking for performance, versatility and durability. Its advanced features, such as high arrow speed, a smooth draw cycle and noise reduction, are great for hunters looking to take on tougher challenges. 

Although the Escalate’s highly adjustable draw length and draw weight options give it versatility, its high-end price tag and advanced features may not be suitable for beginners or those on a tight budget. Instead, the Escalate is best for intermediate to advanced archers who are ready to continue improving their skills and achieving long-term bowhunting goals.

Best Bang for Your Buck: Bear Archery Cruzer G-2

Features and Specs

Arrow Speed: 315 fps

The Cruzer G-2 has an arrow speed of 315 feet per second. This is plenty for most hunting and target shooting applications. While it may not be as fast as higher-end models, its speed still gives you accuracy and a good amount of kinetic energy. Plus, it’s more manageable for beginners.

Draw Weight: 5-70 lbs

The Cruzer G-2 features an exceptionally wide draw-weight range, from five to 70 pounds, making it a good choice for archers of various ages, strengths and experience levels. This adjustability also means that you can start light and work your way up to higher power as your skills improve. Just check your local laws because you might need to use a minimum draw weight to hunt with.

Draw Length: 12-30 inches

With an adjustable draw length of 12-30 inches, the Cruzer G-2 can accommodate an impressively wide range of archers including youth and women. In fact, it’s appropriate for basically any height up to 6’3″.  This way just about anyone can learn on the G-2 and use it for serious bowhunting purposes.

ATA Length: 30 inches

The ATA length of the Cruzer G-2 is 30 inches, which is pretty compact and lightweight. Although this can mean the bow is less stable on the shot, it’s a boon for hunters who need to get into tight tree stands or hike through brush without making noise.

Brace Height: 6.5 inches

The Cruzer G-2 has a 6.5-inch brace height. Like the Escalate, this gives it a balance between speed and forgiveness. This moderate brace height helps reduce the impact of shooter errors, so it’s good if you’re still working on your accuracy. At the same time, it allows for hunting-level shooting speeds.

Weight: 3 lbs

Weighing just three pounds, the Cruzer G-2 is super lightweight. Light weight has a lot of benefits, from transportation and maneuverability to aiming and shooting.

Let-Off: 70%

The Cruzer G-2 offers a let-off of 70 percent. This means that if you’re shooting the maximum 70-pound draw weight, you’ll be holding 21 pounds at full draw. That’s manageable but still a lot more than some higher-end options.

Pros of the Bear Archery Cruzer G-2

Value

The Cruzer G-2 is one of the best values from Bear Archery and for compound bows in general. It’s a good option for any bowhunter on a budget. Despite its more affordable price, it still has a lot of advanced features as well as speed and power.

Versatility

The Cruzer G-2 is insanely adjustable, with draw weight you can set between five and 70 pounds and draw length you can set between 12 and 30 inches. As a result, the bow is good for a wide range of archers of differing sizes and skill levels. Plus, you can start small, and the bow will grow with you—literally and figuratively.

Ready-to-Hunt Package

The Cruzer G-2 comes as a ready-to-hunt (RTH) package that includes seven important accessories:

• Four-pin sight
• Peep sight
• Five-arrow quiver
• Stabilizer
• Whisker-biscuit arrow rest
• Carrying sling
• Nock loop 

For one thing, these accessories let you start hunting right away. Plus, you know they’re all high-quality and compatible with each other and the bow. They increase accuracy and your chances of success on the hunt.

Lightweight Design

The Cruzer G-2 weighs only three pounds. It’s hard to find another compound bow that weighs so little. It’s easy to handle and carry during long hunting trips, and it’s also easier to hold for smaller archers who want to take advantage of the highly adjustable draw weight and draw length.

Cons of the Bear Archery Cruzer G-2

Relatively Low Arrow Speeds

Compared to the Escalate, the Cruzer G-2 has a lower arrow speed of 315 fps. While it’s still fast enough for most hunting applications, especially whitetail deer, it may not have the same accuracy or penetrative power over long ranges as more advanced models like the Escalate. In other words, it might not be the best bet for big game like elk, moose and bear.

Less Durable

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that you generally get what you pay for when it comes to compound bows. As a “best bang for your buck” option, the Cruzer G-2 isn’t quite as tough as more top-shelf models. If you’re planning to use the same bow for many seasons to come, consider the Escalate.

Who Should Consider the Bear Archery Cruzer G-2?

The Bear Archery Cruzer G-2 is an excellent choice for archers seeking quality and accessories at a value. It’s highly adjustable and lightweight and also comes in a ready-to-hunt package that’s a good choice for a range of bowhunters including beginners, intermediate archers and even experienced shooters on a budget. In other words, it’s ideal for those looking for a reliable and adaptable compound bow without sacrificing quality or performance.

Best for Beginners: Bear Archery Legit

Features and Specs

Arrow Speed: 315 fps

The Bear Archery Legit can shoot arrows at up to 315 feet per second, which is fast enough for most beginner and intermediate archers hunting whitetail deer. Though it might not have the range and accuracy of more advanced models like the Escalate, it’s fast enough to hit the kill zone.

Draw Weight: 10-70 lbs

Almost as big a range as the Cruzer G-2’s, the Legit’s draw weight is adjustable from 10 to 70 lbs. This means it’s good for different skill levels, including beginners who can then move up to higher draw weights all while using the same bow.

Draw Length: 14-30 inches

With an adjustable draw length of 14-30 inches, the Legit fits archers of just about any height up to 6’3″,  including youth and adults. For one thing, this means adult beginners can still take advantage of the adjustable draw weight. Plus, youth archers can use it and then increase the draw length if they grow.

ATA Length: 30 inches

The ATA length of the Legit is 30 inches, so it’s compact and easy to maneuver for someone who might be new to bowhunting and climbing into a tight tree stand with all their gear.

Brace Height: 6 inches

The Legit features a 6-inch brace height. This is relatively balanced between speed and forgiveness. This moderate brace height helps reduce the impact of shooter errors, so it’s a good choice for archers who are still developing their skills.

Weight: 3.6 lbs

The Legit is pretty lightweight at just 3.6 pounds. Beginners shouldn’t have trouble holding it while practicing their aim and form.

Let-Off: 75%

The Legit offers a 75% let-off, meaning archers only need to hold 25% of the peak draw weight when at full draw. In other words, if you’ve set the bow for the maximum 70 pounds of draw weight, you’ll only be holding 17.5 pounds at full draw. This is good for beginners whose shoulder muscles might not be used to the tension of drawing a bow.

Pros of the Bear Archery Legit

Ease of Use

The Legit is designed with beginners in mind. It has a lot of beginner-friendly features and a forgiving shooting experience. It’s incredibly adjustable, so beginners can match the draw weight to their strength and skill level and then work their way up. In fact, youth archers can even start with a smaller draw length and then increase it as they grow.

Affordability

The Legit is more affordable than some of Bear’s top-shelf models. Again, this makes it ideal for beginners who may not want to invest too much in a starter bow. After all, they may choose to upgrade in the future or decide they don’t like archery and bowhunting so much after all.

Ready-to-Hunt Package

Like the Cruzer G-2, the Legit comes as a ready-to-hunt (RTH) package. This includes essential accessories such as: 

• Joker four-pin sight
• Five-arrow quiver
• Stabilizer
• Whisker Biscuit arrow rest
• No-tie peep sight 

This all-inclusive package is great for anyone and increases the value of the bow. However, it’s an advantage for beginners in particular since they don’t have to worry about finding their own accessories when they might not know exactly what they’re looking for.

Cons of the Bear Archery Legit

Lower Arrow Speed

The Legit’s arrow speed of 315 fps is low compared to advanced models like the Escalate. This is actually a good thing for beginners since it’s more manageable while still being enough to hunt game like whitetail deer. Still, if you’re looking for serious power to hunt big game over long ranges, the Legit might not be enough.

Less Advanced Cam System

The Legit features a less advanced cam system compared to higher-end models like the Escalate, which is part of the reason it has slower arrow speeds. Additionally, the draw cycle may not be as smooth, which could affect shooting comfort and consistency. However, for beginner and intermediate archers, the Legit still provides a satisfactory shooting experience while they hone their skills.

Who Should Consider the Bear Archery Legit?

The Bear Archery Legit is an ideal compound bow for beginners as well as intermediate archers seeking an easy-to-use, affordable and reliable compound bow. Its wide range of adjustments, not to mention the ready-to-hunt package that comes with a number of important accessories, make it a good option for bowhunters looking to develop their skills and grow with their bow. The Legit is also an excellent choice for anyone wanting a lightweight and compact design, and it works well for multi-day hunting trips.

Wrapping Up Bear Archery Compound Bows Reviewed

Bear Archery is a trusted name in the archery world, and they make a wide range of compound bows to cater to different needs and budgets. Our three favorites are the Escalate, Cruzer G-2 and Legit. 

The Escalate is the best overall choice, a high-end compound bow boasting top-of-the-line performance for experienced archers. The Cruzer G-2 provides an excellent balance of performance and value for those seeking a versatile, affordable bow. The Legit, a highly adjustable and user-friendly option, is perfect for beginners. 

Consider your personal situation and choose the Bear Archery compound bow that’s right for you.