Pull buoys are one of the essential types of swim gear to help develop a stronger pull and better swimming.
Just how crucial?
The upper body is is responsible for 87-90% of freestyle swimming propulsion (Bartolomeu et al., 2017).
Pull buoys allow swimmers to isolate the upper body muscles, increase buoyancy, and help you focus on developing stroke power and technique.
They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, providing various levels of buoyancy. Some pull buoys, like pull buoy/kick-board combos, also function as kickboards.
In this guide, we’ll swim you through the best pull buoys for swimmers, highlight key differences and features, and give you a crystal-clear idea of which pull buoy is right for you and your goals.
Let’s dive in and get our pull on!
The Best Pull Buoys for Swimmers
The top pull buoys for swimmers are:
- Speedo Team Pull Buoy – Best overall pull buoy
- Sporti Pull Buoy – Best budget-friendly pull buoy
- FINIS Pull Buoy – Best pull buoy for increased buoyancy
- Speedo Pull Kick – Best Pull buoy and kickboard combo
- Bettertimes Adjustable Pull Buoy – Best adjustable pull buoy
Next, we will evaluate each pull buoy, including pros and cons, so that you can best match the PB to your goals in the water.
Speedo Team Pull Buoy
⭐ Best overall pull buoy
Made by the best swim brand on the pool deck, Speedo, who makes everything for swimmers from swim paddles to swim snorkels to elite racing swimsuits, the Team Pull Buoy has variable buoyancy, long-lasting EVA foam construction and is comfortable enough for extended swim workouts.
Most pull buoys have balanced buoyancy. In other words, no matter which “end” of the pull buoy faces up or down, the buoyancy is the same. With the Speedo Team Pull Buoy, you can choose how much buoyancy the PB generates.
Developing or heavier, more muscular swimmers will place the wider end of the pull buoy under the body to generate more floatation and better raise the hips for a more efficient body position.
More experienced swimmers will opt to place the thinner end under the body.
Speedo offers their Team Pull Buoy in two colors (black or blue), sells them for less than $20, and the pull buoy is extremely comfortable and suitable for longer pull sets in training.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best overall pull buoy for swim training | Limited colorways |
| Variable floatation | |
| Made by Speedo; the world’s leading swim brand | |
| High-density EVA foam construction | |
| Available in Junior size |
Sporti Pull Buoy
⭐ Best budget-friendly pull buoy
Pull buoys, compared to other swim aids and tech, are inexpensive to begin with, ranging in price from $15 to $25.
The Sporti Pull Buoy is at the south end of the price spectrum, costing about $10, making it our top budget-friendly pull buoy.
The Sporti PB is made with high-density EVA foam for excellent buoyancy, is available in a junior size for smaller swimmers, and Sporti offers it in six different colors and color patterns.
Comfortable, inexpensive, and with plenty of colors to choose from to match the rest of your swim gear, the Sporti Pull Buoy is an awesome choice for swimmers ready to rock out on their pull game.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best budget-friendly pull buoy | Uniform buoyancy |
| Lots of color options | |
| High-density foam construction |
FINIS Pull Buoy
⭐ Best pull buoy for increased buoyancy
The FINIS Pull Buoy is our top pick for swimmers who want increased floatation and balanced buoyancy when using a pull buoy.
FINIS is a pioneering swim brand that has led the way with creating swimming aids and tools that speak to the unique needs and goals of high-performance swimmers, including developing the swimmer’s first training Monofin and creating a front-mounted snorkel for swimmers.
The FINIS Pull Buoy is significantly thicker than the Speedo Team and Sporti Pull Buoys.
The added thickness and slightly longer width mean swimmers will get more buoyancy from this pull buoy.
This makes it the ideal pull buoy for swimmers that don’t float well or who are very muscular and prone to sinking legs when swimming.
Finally, the FINIS Pull Buoy is extremely bright, making it partly a visibility aid for swimmers out in the water.
Note: Save 20% at FINIS with discount code LANE6
Speedo Pull Kick
⭐ Best pull buoy and kickboard combo
The Speedo Pull Kick is a specialized pull buoy that doubles as a kickboard. It’s compact, provides excellent buoyancy when doing pull, and is super convenient to store and transport.
The double-threat nature of the Speedo Pull Kick gives swimmers unparallel versatility in training. It’s perfect for swimmers who like splitting up repetitions of pull and kick in the pool.
For example, doing 50s alternating 25 kick, 25 pull. Or long course 100s, alternating 50 kick and 50 pull.
There are also of course the space optimization benefits. The Speedo Pull Kick eliminates the need to stock a kickboard in your mesh bag, freeing up space for more gear.
The Speedo Pull Kick provides great buoyancy when used as a pull buoy, but swimmers may find that when used as a kickboard the buoyancy isn’t as good as a traditional kickboard.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Perfect for pull and kick sets | Not as much floatation when used as a kickboard compared to a regular board |
| Compact construction | |
| Save money versus purchasing a pull buoy and kickboard separately |
Bettertimes Adjustable Pull Buoy
⭐ Best adjustable pull buoy
The Bettertimes Pull Buoy is an adjustable pull buoy that has the classic design of twin cylinder floaties with adjustable straps connecting the floaties.
The best feature of the Bettertimes Pull Buoy—beyond the nostalgic appeal of the old school design—is the adjustable straps that can be shortened or lengthened according to thigh thickness.
The adjustable straps increase comfort, but can also better position the buoyancy of the pull buoys. Often swimmers are squeezing the PB between the thighs, with a majority of the buoyancy placed there.
Instead, with the Bettertimes Pull Buoy, you can lengthen the adjustable straps so that one of the floaties is properly under your thighs, giving maximum buoyancy.
Additionally, this pull buoy comes in three different sizes, with lengths including 6, 7, and 8”. It is also very budget-friendly, retailing for just $12 at SwimOutlet.
| ✅ PROS | ❌ CONS |
| Best adjustable pull buoy | Shell can cause skin irritation with some swimmers |
| Allows swimmers to better place buoyancy | |
| Multiple size options |
Other Pull Buoys We Have Tested:
While these didn’t make our top five, they are worth a mention.
Arena Pull Kick Board. Another alternative to the Speedo Pull Kick, this bad boy is also a hybrid kickboard/pull buoy. It doesn’t provide as much buoyancy, but it’s slimmer design may be the right choice for smaller and lighter swimmers in the water. Also it’s small size wins points for portability. one of the aforementioned hybrids: it is a pull buoy and a kickboard, all wrapped up into one.
TYR Pull Buoy. Similarly, the TYR pull buoy (which is the PB of choice for two of the local pools I swim at), is made of a smoother foam that is comfortable for long term use, and won’t slip around. Bell ends are similarly sized for even buoyancy. Available in adult and junior sizes.
How to Choose the Right Pull Buoy
When selecting the perfect pull buoy, choosing the right one can make all the difference.
A comfortable pull buoy that is properly sized means you can train without worrying about the pull buoy chafing the skin, sliding out when you do a flip turn, or providing insufficient floatation.
Here’s a look at what you should look for when shopping for a new pull buoy:
Size and shape.
Pull buoys come in several different shapes and sizes, including figure eight shape, dual cylinders, and PB/kickboard combos.
The most popular is a figure-eight shape with either symmetrical or asymmetrical buoyancy. Swimmers who want variable buoyancy will want a PB with asymmetrical bell ends (e.g. one end is thicker than the other).
Adjustable pull buoys feature dual cylinders with straps that can be lengthened or shortened.
Specialized pull buoy and kickboard combos help swimmers optimize on space and cost and offer added training versatility.
Buoyancy.
Choose a pull buoy with a level of buoyancy that matches your body type.
Denser, more muscular swimmers will want to opt for a more buoyant pull buoy to facilitate floatation.
Lighter, less dense swimmers should opt for light to moderate buoyancy.
Pull buoys should support your body without creating discomfort in the lower back or causing excessive floating.
Ergonomic shape.
Look for a pull buoy that has an ergonomic shape that fits comfortably between your thighs.
Proper ergonomics are essential as it reduces discomfort from squeezing an ill-fitting pull buoy between the legs and keeps the PB in place when swimming and doing turns.
Construction.
Pull buoys are typically made with high-density EVA foam which provides buoyancy while not absorbing water. Choose a pull buoy with closed-cell construction to increased durability.
Cost.
Pull buoys range in price from $10 to $30. While more expensive models may offer increased features and performance (e.g. The Speedo Kick Pull), there are tons of budget-friendly pull buoys that will last a long time in the water.
By keeping these things in mind, you will choose a pull buoy that helps you train in comfort and promotes better swimming.
How to Use a Pull Buoy Properly in the Water
Like any other form of training the pool, swimming around with a pull buoy presents itself with tons of variety and options. Here are some tips for using a pull buoy properly.
- Place the wider end below you. With the pull buoys that have a wider end, make sure you position it so that the wider end is below you to benefit from the added buoyancy.
- Don’t use your pull buoy on your ankles. This places additional stress on your lower back and drops your hips in the water, making it 2/2 on developing bad habits in the water.
- Vary your pull work. Mix in your favorite pair of swim paddles and/or an ankle band when doing pull sets and pull workouts. Variety is the spice of life and training, so keep your pull work interesting and engaging by mixing it up.
Which side of the pull buoy goes up?
Pull buoys with asymmetrical bell ends can be used to create customizable buoyancy. For more buoyancy, place the wider end under your thighs. More experienced and less dense swimmers can use the thinner end under the body to avoid too much buoyancy.
How to choose pull buoy size?
Pull buoy size is crucial for maximizing the benefits of a pull buoy. Pull buoys provide lift and buoyancy in the water, so consider your body type, density, and kick fitness when choosing a pull buoy size.
Larger, more muscular swimmers should look for a pull buoy with added buoyancy to effectively raise the hips.
Wrapping Things Up
Ultimately, a pull buoy, like any other type of swim training aid, is a tool that should be used to help you become a better, faster swimmer.
To recap our top choices:
- Speedo Team Pull Buoy – Best overall pull buoy
- Sporti Pull Buoy – Best budget-friendly pull buoy
- FINIS Pull Buoy – Best pull buoy for increased buoyancy
- Speedo Pull Kick – Best Pull buoy and kickboard combo
- Bettertimes Adjustable Pull Buoy – Best adjustable pull buoy
By considering and choosing the right pull buoy that aligns with your body type and training goals, you can reap the benefits of isolating the upper body, improving pull power, and more efficient body position.
Happy swimming!
