Kickboards and pull buoys are the two most essential swim training accessories after goggles and a reliable swim cap. A kickboard isolates your legs so you can build kick strength and endurance. A pull buoy isolates your arms so you can focus on your stroke technique and upper body power. Together, they form the foundation of structured swim training at every level.
Whether you are a beginner learning to swim laps or an experienced swimmer working on speed, the right training accessories make your workouts more effective. This guide covers the best kickboards and pull buoys for 2026, with picks for every skill level and budget.
How We Evaluate Swim Training Equipment
We test each kickboard and pull buoy during real pool sessions across multiple workout types. We evaluate buoyancy, comfort, durability, grip, and how well each product isolates the targeted muscle groups. We test with swimmers of different sizes and ability levels to ensure our recommendations work for a broad audience.
Best Kickboards
1. Speedo Swim Training Kickboard - Best Overall
The Speedo Swim Training Kickboard is the standard that most swim coaches recommend, and for good reason. It is the right size, the right buoyancy, and the right price for the vast majority of swimmers.
What we like:
- Textured EVA foam gives a non-slick surface
- Side finger scallops encourage proper hand position
- Underside finger grooves make it easy to grip
- Compact at roughly 14 x 10 inches, so it fits in a swim bag
- Holds its shape after months of regular use
What could be better:
- Not the most compact option for travel
- Foam will eventually absorb water and lose buoyancy (after 1-2 years)
- No hydrodynamic shape for advanced drills
Best for: Most swimmers. This is the kickboard we recommend to beginners and competitive swimmers alike.
2. TYR Hydrofoil Kickboard - Best for Advanced Swimmers
The TYR Hydrofoil has a streamlined, hydrodynamic shape that reduces drag and allows faster kick speeds. It is thinner than traditional kickboards and sits lower in the water, which encourages better body position during kick sets.
What we like:
- Hydrodynamic shape promotes streamlined body position
- Lower profile keeps hips and legs higher in the water
- Multiple hand position options (top grip, side grip)
- Dense foam holds up well over time
What could be better:
- Less buoyancy than standard kickboards (by design)
- Not ideal for weak kickers or beginners who need more support
- Higher price than standard boards
Best for: Competitive swimmers and anyone working on swimming speed improvement. The lower profile forces better kick mechanics.
3. FINIS Alignment Kickboard - Best for Technique
The FINIS Alignment Kickboard is designed to fix the most common kickboard mistake: swimmers holding the board too wide and dropping their elbows. The narrow design forces a streamlined arm position that mimics actual swimming posture.
What we like:
- Narrow design corrects arm and shoulder position
- Promotes proper body alignment during kick sets
- Builds good habits that transfer to full-stroke swimming
- Compact size fits easily in any swim bag
What could be better:
- Takes some getting used to if you are accustomed to wide boards
- Less buoyancy than standard kickboards
- Can feel unstable for beginners
Best for: Technique-focused swimmers and coaches. If your kick sets are about improving form rather than just building endurance, this board forces you to do it right.
4. Arena Swim Kickboard - Best for Grip Options
The Arena Swim Kickboard is a full-size adult board, roughly 15.75 x 11.25 inches, that supports your arms and keeps your upper body still so you can focus on the kick.
What we like:
- Affordable for a name-brand board
- Dual grip holes with molded handles allow different hand positions
- Contoured edges for comfort and safety
- PVC-free EVA foam
What could be better:
- Larger footprint than compact boards, so it takes more bag space
- No hydrodynamic shape for advanced drills
- Foam will eventually absorb water like any EVA board
Best for: Swimmers who like to switch hand positions between drills, and anyone who wants a reliable full-size board without overthinking it.
5. Arena Elite Hand Paddle 2 - Best Add-On for Pull Sets
Not a kickboard, but the piece of gear most swimmers pair with one. The Arena Elite Hand Paddle 2 is a flat technique paddle designed to improve the catch and pull phase of your arm stroke, and it combines naturally with a pull buoy for strength sets.
What we like:
- Flat design helps you notice and fix poor arm positions
- Perforated surface with a large center hole keeps your feel for the water
- Multiple strap positions for a custom fit
- Comes in 4 sizes and is sold as a pair
- Smooth edges lower the risk of clipping a lane mate
What could be better:
- Paddles add shoulder load, so build up gradually
- Picking the right size takes some trial and error
Best for: Swimmers who already own a kickboard and pull buoy and want to add strength and technique work to their pull sets.
Best Pull Buoys
1. Speedo Swim Training Pull Buoy - Best Overall
The Speedo Swim Training Pull Buoy is the industry standard for a reason. The figure-8 shape locks between your thighs comfortably and lifts your hips and legs into proper position throughout your pull sets.
What we like:
- Figure-8 design stays in place without squeezing
- Balanced buoyancy that lifts legs without over-rotating
- Dense EVA foam lasts through heavy training
- Comfortable on bare skin (no chafing)
What could be better:
- One size fits most but can feel large for smaller swimmers
- Eventually absorbs water and loses buoyancy
- No contoured grip zones
Best for: Most swimmers. If you are buying your first pull buoy, this is the one to get.
2. FINIS Foam Pull Buoy - Best for Technique
The FINIS Foam Pull Buoy is aimed at body alignment and symmetry. FINIS designs it to encourage proper hip rotation while it immobilizes your legs, so your arms and shoulders do the work.
What we like:
- Encourages balanced body alignment and hip rotation
- Soft EVA foam that does not chafe
- Comes in adult and junior sizes
- Well reviewed by a large base of owners
What could be better:
- No special contouring, so it can shift more than shaped designs
- Priced a little above basic pull buoys
Best for: Intermediate swimmers focused on stroke efficiency and body position who want a dependable, comfortable buoy.
3. TYR Pull Float - Best Budget Option
The TYR Pull Float is a simple, traditional pull buoy at a very accessible price. No gimmicks, no special features, just reliable buoyancy between your legs for pull sets.
What we like:
- Very affordable
- High-density 6-inch EVA foam is comfortable for long sets
- Standard shape that works for all pull drills
- Lightweight
What could be better:
- No ergonomic contouring
- Can slip out of position more easily than figure-8 designs
- Basic construction
Best for: Budget-conscious swimmers and anyone who goes through pull buoys regularly and does not want to invest heavily in each one.
4. Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy II - Best for Comfort
The Arena Freeflow Pull Buoy II is the updated Freeflow, with more stability, durability, and buoyancy than the original. Its ergonomic shape fits the natural curves of your thighs better than flat-sided pull buoys, so there is less shifting during swim sets.
What we like:
- Ergonomic contours grip your thighs naturally
- Streamlined shape does not slow you down in the water
- Soft, PVC-free foam stays comfortable on long pull sets
- Suits both competitive and fitness swimmers
What could be better:
- Higher price than basic pull buoys
- The contoured shape means it only fits one way
- Slightly heavier than simple foam designs
Best for: Swimmers who do long pull sets and want maximum comfort, and anyone who finds traditional pull buoys uncomfortable or hard to keep in position.
How to Use a Kickboard Effectively
Many swimmers grab a kickboard and just kick mindlessly up and down the pool. Here are some tips to get more out of your kick sets.
Keep your body flat. Press your chest slightly into the board to keep your hips near the surface. If your legs are dragging deep, you are practicing bad habits. Your kick should be propelling you forward, not just keeping you afloat.
Kick from the hips, not the knees. A proper flutter kick originates from your hip flexors, with your knees bending only slightly. Bicycle kicking (big knee bends) is the most common kickboard mistake and teaches a kick that does not transfer to actual swimming.
Vary your kick types. Do not just flutter kick every set. Use the board for dolphin kick (on your back or stomach), breaststroke kick, and sidekick. Each kick type builds different muscles and prevents overuse patterns.
Control your breathing. Keep your face in the water on some kick sets and breathe to the side, just like you would during freestyle. This builds the breathing rhythm you need for full-stroke swimming. Our guide on how many laps you should swim includes sample workouts with kick set ratios.
How to Use a Pull Buoy Effectively
Place it correctly. The pull buoy goes between your upper thighs, not between your knees. Placing it too low reduces its effectiveness and can strain your hip flexors.
Do not kick. The entire point of a pull buoy is to isolate your pull. Keep your legs still and let the buoy do the work of keeping them afloat. If you find yourself kicking, focus on squeezing the buoy gently to keep it in place.
Focus on your catch. With your legs neutralized, you can give 100% of your attention to your hand entry, catch, and pull-through. This is where the real technique gains happen during pull sets.
Add paddles for more resistance. Once you are comfortable with a pull buoy, add hand paddles to increase the resistance on your pull. This builds upper body strength and emphasizes any stroke flaws (you will feel off-balance if your catch is uneven).
For complete workout plans that incorporate kickboard and pull buoy sets, see our pool exercises for weight loss guide.
Browse all of our swim gear recommendations in the reviews hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need both a kickboard and a pull buoy?
If you are serious about improving your swimming, yes. Each tool isolates different parts of your stroke so you can work on weaknesses. A kickboard builds your kick without worrying about your arms, and a pull buoy lets you refine your stroke without legs getting in the way. Together they cover the full spectrum of swim-specific training.
How long do kickboards and pull buoys last?
With regular use (3-5 times per week), expect a quality kickboard to last 1-2 years and a pull buoy to last 1-3 years. The main failure mode is water absorption: over time, the foam absorbs pool water and becomes waterlogged, losing buoyancy. When your equipment starts sinking noticeably lower than when it was new, it is time to replace it.
What size kickboard should I get?
Standard adult kickboards work for most swimmers over age 12. Smaller junior kickboards are available for children. If you are a larger swimmer (over 200 pounds), look for a kickboard labeled “large” or “high buoyancy” to ensure adequate support. For advanced swimmers who want less support, smaller or thinner boards force harder kicking.
Can I use a pull buoy if I have bad knees?
Yes, and a pull buoy can actually be beneficial for swimmers with knee issues. By eliminating the kick, you remove stress from the knee joint entirely while still getting a great upper body workout. Many physical therapists recommend pull buoy swimming as part of knee rehabilitation protocols.
Is it OK to use a kickboard or pull buoy for my entire swim workout?
Occasionally, yes. If you are recovering from an injury that limits your arms or legs, single-tool workouts are fine. For general training, though, you should mix kick sets, pull sets, and full-stroke swimming. Over-reliance on training tools can create muscle imbalances. A typical training session might be 20-30% kick work, 20-30% pull work, and 40-60% full stroke.
Can kids use adult kickboards and pull buoys?
Kids under 10 should use junior-sized equipment. Adult kickboards are too wide for small arms to hold comfortably, and adult pull buoys are too large to fit between smaller thighs. Most major brands offer junior versions of their popular kickboards and pull buoys.
