Water skiing is a very popular water sport in many countries such as America, Canada and Australia. The sport involves an individual being pulled by a boat or a jet ski over water thus making the person skimming on the water on two water skis. In order to fully enjoy this type of sport, the individual will need to have best water skis, very good level of stamina as well as balance and upper body strength so as to keep the balance.
Water skiing requires using specially designed boards that resemble snow skiing ones for this sport but remember that no two water skis are the same hence you should carefully choose the right one for your height, weight and body type. Regardless of how and when the sport was invented, riders reported the activity to be fun and very entertaining.
The popularity of this sport has motivated many manufacturers to race one another in order to create the most durable and reliable best water skis on the market. Most of these manufacturers also offer warranty and great customer service; currently, there are only a few trustable manufacturers that offer high-quality skis with various patented designs.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of 10 Best Water Skis in 2020
- Top 10 Best Water Skis Review in 2020
- 1. AIRHEAD S-1300 Combo Skis
- 2. Cadet Combo Waterskis
- 3. AIRHEAD S-1400 Wide Body Combo Skis
- 4. Nash Hydroslide Deluxe Waterskis
- 5. Supersport Combo Waterskis
- 6. Full Throttle Traditional Combination Ski
- 7. RAVE Sports Pure Combo Ski
- 8. O’brien Jr. Vortex Combo Waterskis
- 9. O’Brien Celebrity Combo Waterskis
- 10. O’Brien Vortex Combo Waterskis
- What are Water Skis Made From?
- Are Body Boards and Water Skis the Same?
- Factors to Consider Before Picking the Best Water Skis
- How to Select a Good Pair of Water Skis?
- Conclusion
- Relevant Resources
Comparison of 10 Best Water Skis in 2020
IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | AIRHEAD S-1300 Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | Cadet Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | AIRHEAD S-1400 Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | Nash Hydroslide Deluxe |
| Check Price |
![]() | Supersport Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | Full Throttle Traditional Skis |
| Check Price |
![]() | Rave Sports Pure Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | O’Brien Jr Vortex Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | O’ Brien Celebrity Combo |
| Check Price |
![]() | O’Brien Vortex Combo |
| Check Price |
Top 10 Best Water Skis Review in 2020
1. AIRHEAD S-1300 Combo Skis
Airhead S-1300 Combo 67 inches water skis are designed with a brightly colored pattern as well as ultimate control and manoeuvrability that most water ski riders strive for.
Moreover, the pocket template of these water skis will ensure that you can control your acceleration at all times regardless of the water conditions and how strong the boat wakes might be. Plus, you can choose from many different colors but sadly these water skis are only available in one size.
- Pocket template design
- Great for small to medium sized boat wakes
- Available in different colors
- Available only in one template
- Long shipping
- Available in one size only
Also Read: Best Kneeboards of 2020 – Top Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
2. Cadet Combo Waterskis
Another great set of water skis that are sold by CWB Cadet at an affordable price and comes with a great template and strong core made out of PE material. Moreover, these water skis are just of the right thickness to give the rider great acceleration speed and control even in high waves.
The manufacturer has specifically designed the wakeboard to have a curved template so as to give the rider the chance to enjoy large boat wakes.
- Recommended by professionals
- Made with optimal thickness
- Curved template
- Expensive
- Limited colors
- No warranty
3. AIRHEAD S-1400 Wide Body Combo Skis
Air Head S-1400 Red and Black Combo are made with the latest technology that has been developed to give these water skis maximum speed, maneuverability as well as superb control to the rider. Moreover, customers have reported that these water skis will be perfect for medium to high waves.
Also, they are made to have a much wider template than most regular water skis. Furthermore, because of their strong core, the water skis will be perfect for heavy individuals plus the PE deck has been designed with wave cushions so as to give the rider much softer experience even on large boat wakes.
- Wave cushion
- PE deck
- Suitable for heavy individuals
- Great for medium and large wakes
- Long shipping
- No warranty
- Limited colors
4. Nash Hydroslide Deluxe Waterskis
Nash Deluxe Hydroslide Adult Water Skis are made to have superb control and acceleration speed with rough edges for added acceleration and better balance. Moreover, customers can choose from many different and vibrant colors plus water ski riders have reported loving the overall design of this water ski combo set by Nash Deluxe.
However, keep in mind that the water skis come without any layer of protection thus you would need to either polish them with wax or store them in the specially designed cover so that they don’t get scuff marks scratches on their body.
- Designed for tough conditions
- Available in assorted colors
- Expensive
- No warranty
- Long shipping
Also Read: Best Skimboards Reviewed & Compared in 2020 – Top 15 Selections
5. Supersport Combo Waterskis
These CWB Super Sport Combo 45 Inches Water Skis have been designed by a trustable manufacturer who has ensured that the water skis are just of the right thickness to give the rider great acceleration speed and control even in high wakes regardless whether the rider will be pulled by a jet ski or a boat.
Moreover, the manufacturer has specifically designed these water skis to have a curved template so as to give the rider the chance to shred large sections of the waves and take high points.
- Patented design
- Recommended by professionals
- Made with optimal thickness
- Curved template
- Expensive
- Limited color
6. Full Throttle Traditional Combination Ski
Absolute Outdoor Full Throttle Traditional Water Skis are made with ultimate control and maneuverability that most riders strive for. Moreover, the pocket template of these will ensure that you can fully control the acceleration in small to medium boat wakes.
Plus, these water skis will be perfect for someone on a budget while its large size will make it perfect for small wakes whereas the smaller front curve will ensure it is good for large wakes as well.
- Pocket template design
- Great for small to medium sized wakes
- Available in different colors
- Crescent tail
- Available only in one template
- Long shipping
7. RAVE Sports Pure Combo Ski
Rave Pure Lime Combo Water Skis are carefully manufactured to have just the right thickness to give the rider great acceleration speed and control even in high water wakes.
The manufacturer has specifically designed these water skis to have a curved template so as to give the rider the chance to shred large sections of the wakes and take high points.
- Patented design
- Recommended by professionals
- Made with optimal thickness
- Curved template
- Expensive
- Limited colors
Also Read: Best Towable Tubes of 2020 – Unlimited Fun on the Water
8. O’brien Jr. Vortex Combo Waterskis
Great water skis from a world-renowned manufacturer that are made with PP core and round contours that will ensure a smooth ride and good water ski floatation when the rider will be brazing the boat wakes. Moreover, customers have reported that these water skis have the needed thickness and tail width in the form of a crescent.
Plus, they come with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Also, customers have reported that these will be perfect for medium to high wakes. Plus, they are made to have a much wider template than most regular templates.
Furthermore, because of its strong core design, these water skis will be perfect for heavy individuals plus the PE deck has been designed with wave cushions so as to give the rider much softer experience even on high boat wakes. The bottom has been made with durable material as well as built-in tail and nose bumpers.
- Round contours
- PE material deck
- Strong core
- Short warranty period
- Long shipping
9. O’Brien Celebrity Combo Waterskis
O’Brien Celebrity Edition is a brightly colored water ski with EVA foam pad and ultimate control and maneuverability that most riders strive for when enjoying water skiing.
Moreover, the pocket template of these water skis will ensure that you can control the acceleration of the board in small to medium boat wakes. The strap can be adjusted as needed plus the manufacturer provides good customer support and offers a 2-year warranty period.
- Pocket template design
- Great for small to medium sized wakes
- Available in different colors
- Available only in one color only
- Long shipping
10. O’Brien Vortex Combo Waterskis
Vortex Red Combo Water Skis are made to have superb control and acceleration speed with rough edges for added acceleration. Moreover, customers can choose from many colors plus riders have reported loving the overall design of these water skis.
Furthermore, these water skis come in a package with a nylon cover that you could use to store them during the offseason. Also, the covers will protect the goods from scuffs and scratches plus the manufacturer has developed these especially for tough conditions.
- Designed for tough conditions
- Comes with nylon covers
- Resistant to scuffs and scratches
- Available in assorted colors
- Expensive
- No warranty
- Long shipping
Also Read: Best Bodyboard Fins of 2020 – Top Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
What are Water Skis Made From?
Nowadays, water skis are often made from PE material which stands for polyethylene. Moreover, some models of water skis might me made from PP which stands from polypropylene foam. The latter has been used for a very long time as it was much more durable and long lasting albeit being heavier the PE water skis. However, the ones made from PP are better for cold waters.
Furthermore, keep in mind that water skis made from polypro material might not be suitable for everybody as they tend to get super stiff in cold conditions. Lastly, some manufacturers now use a mix of these materials to create premium class products that are much more flexible and easier to ride.
Are Body Boards and Water Skis the Same?
Both the boards have similar construction and template design with all the design components being the same. But, water skis do not have the stringer which is a narrow tube that is made from composite material and runs down the shaft of the body board thus giving it its strength and better projection.
On the other hand, water skis tail, just like with body board is considered to be the last exit point for the water right at the bottom of the wakeboard therefore many wakeboard manufacturers design the tails in a number of ways so as to allow the rider to achieve various effects when riding.
The rule of thumb for the water skis is the wider the tail, the faster and more stable it will be. However, the ones with narrow tails have been reported to be much more manageable and are thus preferred by beginners. Furthermore, you will need to remember about the rail, or the edge, as it will determine the bite.
The bite is the term used to call the control and drive off the water skis plus keep in mind that the steeper the edge is the better control you will get when riding the wakeboard. Consequently, the shallower the edge of the water ski, the faster the water ski will be thanks to less resistance but harder to control due to decreased vacuum under the body board.
Factors to Consider Before Picking the Best Water Skis
Remember that the widest point of the water ski will determine how maneuverable the whole set will act on the waves plus it will also affect the overall flotation of them. Moreover, the width will also determine how buoyant they are however, the width will also affect your ability to easily turn on water skis whenever needed. For this reason, many manufacturers have started designing narrow ones so as to allow the rider to take sharper and harder turns when needed.
How to Select a Good Pair of Water Skis?
We hope you will remember that the most important factor in choosing the best water skis is the wider the tail, the faster and more stable it will be. However, keep in mind that some professionals believe that the ones with narrow tails have been reported to be much more manageable and are thus preferred by beginners.
Furthermore, you will need to remember about the rail, the board edge, as it will determine the maximum speed you will be able to take with the chosen pair of best water skis. Also, keep in mind that the ones made from polypro material might not be suitable for everybody as they tend to get super stiff in cold conditions.
Lastly, some manufacturers now use a mix of these materials to create premium class water skis that are much more flex and easier to ride. Of course, they cost much more and not every beginning rider would want to pay the hefty sum. But, do remember if you will decide on riding on a regular basis then you will need a durable and reliable pair of water skis that will allow you to fully experience the sea and the waves in a safe manner.
Conclusion
Most water skis have a much wider point in front of the ski so as to give them more surface area thus making them much more stable and better suited for the new riders. As mentioned above, regular water skis have become much slimmer in the last decade thus you can find lots of them ranging in length and width.
However, keep in mind that the slimmer the skis are, the less buoyancy they will have despite being more controllable in the waves. Moreover, the speed of the best water skis will also be affected plus thinner ones are much cheaper to purchase. Overall, you should look for the ones with medium thickness as well as with a foam deck. This way it will naturally expand with warmth thus creating the needed rocker edge for better speed and control.
Leave a Reply