Bear Adapt 2 Overview
- Wandering Wild
- Mar 31
- 7 min read
Bear has been a leader in the entry level and mid price bow market for years and they continue to impress.
One of their latest additions is the Adapt 2, a beginner bow anyone can shoot!
In this article we'll cover everything about the Adapt 2, who it's a good fit for and how it compares to other bows on the market.
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Adapt 2 Specs
There’s a few different variations of the Adapt 2 out there, so we’ll run through the specs of the base model here…
Then we’ll compare those to the different variations later.
Adapt 2 specs:
Draw length: 24"–31"
Draw weight: 45–60 lbs. or 55–70 lbs.
Speed: 320 FPS
Axle to Axle: 31”
Brace Height: 6.5”
Let off: 80%
Adapt 2 Variations
Adapt 2
This is the original version of the Adapt 2.
It’s a basic single cam bow that flat out gets the job done.
The Adapt 2 isn’t necessarily Bear’s flagship, top of the line bow, but it is their most popular.
A big reason for its popularity is its price point.
This is a very affordable bow that anyone can pick up and start shooting.
Is it a blazing fast bow?
No.
Is it the newest, nicest bow you can find?
Nope.
Does it do what you need it to do without breaking the bank?
Absolutely!
Adapt 2 HP
The Adapt 2 HP is only a slight variation off from the original Adapt 2
95% of the bow is exactly the same.
There is one big change though…
The Cams.
Instead of a single cam like the Adapt 2, the Adapt 2 HP has 2 hybrid cams.
With the hybrid cams, there is a bump up in speed and power…
But because they are hybrid cams, not true dual cams, you still get a smooth draw like you would with the single cam.
That smooth draw also means it's smooth when you shoot, leaving you with less hand shock than a true dual cam bow.
Adapt 2 RTH+ and Adapt 2 HP RTH+
Both of these are Ready to Hunt(RTH) packages of the Adapt 2.
The only difference here is the +(plus)
What the plus refers to is the accessories in the RTH package.
The major accessories in the plus models are upgraded to give you less of a ‘beginner’ feel to the bow.
Of the upgraded accessories, the one that stands out the most is the sight.
The standard RTH packages use a basic 4 fixed pin sight.
It’s nothing crazy, but it keeps the bow affordable and gets the job done.
On the plus RTH models, you get a double pin slider sight.
That’s going to let you dial in to any distance between 20 & 100 yards.
Just range your target, dial it in and send it.
Pros of the Adapt 2
Affordability
Even in the RTH packages with all of the accessories, this bow is extremely affordable.
It’s literally half the cost of flagship bows from most other big bow brands…
And that’s with their bare bows!
Ready to Hunt Packages
With both the RTH and RTH + packages, this bow is basically ready to shoot right out of the box!
You don’t have to worry about finding all of the accessories.
You don’t have to worry about tuning.
Just grab a release and some arrows and get shooting!
At the end of the day, it’s a workhorse.
you’re not paying for it to have all of the bells and whistles.
You’re paying for it to go out and get the job done.
Cons of the Adapt 2
Adjustability/tuning
What makes this bow great for most archers is that it’s basically ready to go right out of the box and doesn’t require a whole lot of tinkering.
That also means there’s limited tuning you can do to the bow.
It’s probably not going to be shooting 2 inch groups at 70 yards.
But that’s not a distance most bowhunters shoot at anyway
How the Bear Adapt 2 Compares to Competitors
Bear Adapt 2 vs Adapt 2 HP
This is a bit of an odd comparison because they are variations of the same model
But realistically there isn’t a whole lot of logic in going with the Adapt 2 now that the Adapt 2 HP is out.
The only difference between the two is the cams and the price.
Whether you’re looking at the bare bow or the RTH package, the difference in price is $70.
If you’re in the small group of archers that would rather save the $70 and not worry about the extra 10 FPS the Adapt HP gives you…
Then by all means grab the original version.
But overall, the Adapt 2 HP is the better choice for most archers out there.
Adapt 2 HP Specs:
Draw Length: 27" - 32"
Draw Weight: 45-60lbs, 55-70lbs
Speed: 330 FPS
Axle-to-Axle: 31”
Brace Height: 6.5”
Let off: 80%
Bear Adapt 2 vs Bear Paradigm
The Paradigm is really built for bigger archers with longer draw lengths than the Adapt 2
It has a longer axle-to-axle length to help get those longer draw lengths.
That also gives it the slightest edge in speed over the Adapt 2.
The Paradigm also has a dual cam system instead of a single cam, making it more similar to the Adapt 2 HP.
But other than that, they are about the same.
They’re in the same price range, with similar speeds and similar shooting feel.
So which ones better for you?
Obviously if you’re a taller archer, or at least have a longer draw length, then the Paradigm is the better pick.
Also, if you tend to take longer shots, over 40 yards, the longer Axle-to-Axle on the Paradigm is going to make it more stable for shooting longer distances…
The only catch is that length also makes it a little harder to deal with in a tree stand, saddle, or blind.
Paradigm Specs:
Draw Length: 27" - 32"
Draw Weight: 45-60lbs, 55-70lbs
Speed: 333 FPS
Axle-to-Axle: 33”
Brace Height: 6.5”
Let off: 80%
Bear Adapt 2 vs Hoyt Enduro
I’d place the Adapt 2 as a more beginner bow and the Enduro as a true mid-price bow.
The Enduro shoots a little better, is a little more forgiving and has a slight edge on speed…
But it’s also more expensive.
You’re looking at $799 for a bare bow Enduro compared to $529 for the bare bow Adapt 2.
The Enduro also can go 10 pounds lower on draw weight which can make it a better fit for small frame intermediate archers.
As far as Ready to Hunt packages go, the Enduro has 2 different options, just like the Adapt 2.
The one big difference is that the Enduro premium package comes with a drop away arrow rest, which helps a lot with accuracy and arrow speed.
But you’re looking at $999 for the premium package.
Overall, if you’re a more serious archer, somewhere on that intermediate level, the Enduro is the better option.
It costs more, but you can get more out of it too.
Hoyt Enduro Specs:
Draw Length: 24"-30"
Draw Weight: 35-50lbs, 45-60lbs, 55-70lbs
Speed: 328 FPS
Axle-to-Axle: 30”
Brace Height: 7”
Let off: 80%
Bear Adapt 2 vs Elite Basin
The big difference between the Adapt & the Basin is that the Basin is more a grow with you bow.
It has a much wider range of Draw weights & draw lengths
The trade off with that is you’re going to lose efficiency, and ultimately speed, the further away you are from the max draw length and draw weight.
So for an adult, getting the Adapt 2 that fits your draw weight is going to be the better option.
BUUUUTTTT…
For a kid or a teen, getting the Basin is going to be better because it can grow with them.
Elite Basin Specs:
Draw length - 16"–30"
Draw weight - 20–70 lbs.
Speed: 315 FPS
Axle to Axle: 30”
Brace Height: 6.6875”
Let off: 80%
Bear Adapt 2 vs Bear Legit Maxx
Bear's Legit Maxx is a true dual cam bow, so it doesn’t have as smooth of a draw cycle.
Only 75% let off vs the 80% of the Adapt 2
The Legit Maxx is a grow with you bow, so it’s much more adjustable than the Adapt 2.
That makes the Legit Maxx great for kids and teens that need a bow that they can shoot for years as they grow.
It’s not the most ideal for an adult that’s already in that 50-70 lbs draw weight range.
Because the Legit Maxx is so adjustable, it’s a little slower than the Adapt 2.
On the other hand, being a true beginner bow, the Legit Maxx is less expensive than the Adapt 2
Legit Maxx Specs:
Draw length: 14"–30"
Draw weight: 10–70 lbs.
Speed: 315 FPS
Axle to Axle: 30”
Brace Height: 6.25”
Let off: 75%
Who Should Buy the Adapt 2?
Bear has always been more focused on making bows for the average archer than making bows for super high level competitive archers..
And the Adapt 2 is no different.
If you’re planning on hammering archery tournaments and 3D shoots, then this is probably not the bow for you.
This bow is designed for the everyday archer who wants to go out and shoot their bow without having to do a terrible amount of adjusting and tuning.
It’s accurate enough for bowhunting without breaking the bank.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Adapt 2
Upgrade your stabilizer
Your stabilizer set up is going to vary based on what type of hunting you tend to do.
If you’re strictly whitetail hunting, especially from a stand or a blind…
Then the stabilizer that comes in the Adapt 2 RTH package is going to work fine.
It’s focused more on noise dampening and being maneuverable than anything else, which is exactly what you need in those situations.
BUT
If you’re hunting in any kind of spot and stalk scenario, especially out west where you’re going to have longer shots…
Then upgrading your stabilizer is going to go a long way for your accuracy.
Getting a stabilizer that’s more in that 10”-12” range and possibly even adding a second offset stabilizer, is going to help drastically reduce pin float and make you more accurate!
Upgrade Your Rest
The rest that comes on both the RTH & RTH+ packages is a whisker biscuit style arrow rest.
These are extremely budget friendly, but do hurt your arrow speed/power slightly.
Also, depending on how your vanes are set up on your arrow, it can lead to some inconsistencies at longer ranges.
Upgrading to a drop away rest is going to help with that.
Drop away rests are pretty simple to set up and there’s some pretty inexpensive ones out there (like the QAD UltraRest Hunter at $60)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the bear adapt 2 hp a good bow?
For the everyday, average archer the Adapt 2 is a good bow.
With the new Adapt 2 HP version it’s even better.
If you’re a real gear junkie and want all of the newest coolest gear, then this probably isn’t the bow for you.
How many FPS is the bear archery Adapt 2?
320 for the Adapt 2 and 330 for the Adapt HP
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