Updated November 10, 2022
Water skiing has been around for more than a century and it’s still a thrilling activity practically anyone can enjoy today. A warm summer day out on the water learning and practicing some new moves can’t be beat for excitement that the whole family can enjoy together.
It does take a little work and some hours of trial and error but the right skis are a good step toward developing confidence.
The marketplace is full of styles and types of skis with a great variety of features and specifications to consider. Below a range of models is reviewed with photos and videos, followed by a comparison table, a simple buying guide, and an instructional video to set you on your way.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom.
Best Water Skis Review
- O’Brien Celebrity 68 Combo Water Skis
- Airhead S-1400 Wide Body Combo Water Skis
- Rave Pure Combo Water Skis
- O’Brien Reactor Combo 67 Water Skis
- Full Throttle Traditional Combination Water Skis
- Airhead S-1300 Combo Water Skis
- Connelly Eclipse Combo Water Skis
- O’Brien Jr. Vortex Combo Water Skis
- Connelly Quantum Combo Water Skis
O’Brien Celebrity 68 Combo Water Skis
The O’Brien Celebrity Combo Water Skis have a wide body and dual tunnel with a v-entry at the tips for great stability and control that are easy for beginners to get up on from deep water.
Versatile advanced performance with a side-cut bevel and a fast flat rocker will satisfy more advanced skiers as well.
Rounded nylon fins provide superior traction and with comfortable adjustable bindings fitting a broad range of sizes, the whole family can enjoy them.
- Length: 68 inches
- Level: Beginner-Intermediate
- Composite construction
- Comfortable X-7 adjustable bindings (US men’s sizes 4.5-13)
- V-entry dual tunnel for stability and control
- Padded rear toe plate
- Nylon fins
- Comes in red or blue
- Price: $
Airhead S-1400 Wide Body Combo Water Skis
The Airhead S-1400 Combo Water Skis have an hourglass shape with extra-wide tips great for stability at low speeds and easy start-ups.
There’s durable composite foam construction with a PE deck and fiberglass-reinforced fins for superior tracking and maneuverability.
Suitable not only for beginners, more advanced skiers will also enjoy the capability of this combination of features for jumping wakes.
The comfortable adjustable bindings accommodate US men’s sizes 5-12.
- Length: 65.5 inches
- Level: Beginner-Intermediate
- Composite foam core construction
- PE deck
- Hourglass shape
- Dual-density adjustable bindings (US men’s sizes 5-12)
- Fiberglass-reinforced nylon fins
- Price: $$
The Rave Pure Combo Water Skis are designed for stability and responsiveness with a center ridge and deep edge channels design, and nylon fins.
Sturdy with a Formica top and fiberglass reinforcement rods, the adjustable slide bindings fit a range of sizes for riders above 125 pounds, which covers most adults.
Beginners and advanced-level skiers can both enjoy the performance.
- Length: 67 inches
- Level: Beginner-Advanced
- Formica top
- Fiberglass reinforcement rods
- Center ridge and deeper edge channels
- Double-density adjustable slide bindings
- For riders over 125 pounds
- Nylon fins
- Price: $$
O’Brien Reactor Combo 67 Water Skis
They have professional-level 700 series pinch-slide adjustable bindings that accommodate US men’s sizes from 4.5 to 13.
Lightweight and durable, these high-performance skis are most suitable for experienced skiers.
- Length: 67 inches
- Level: Intermediate-Advanced
- Composite construction
- V-entry dual tunnel design
- Traditional narrow shape
- 700 series pinch-slide adjustable bindings (US men’s sizes 4.5-13)
- Padded rear toe plate
- Nylon fins
- Price: $
Full Throttle Traditional Combination Water Skis
With sturdy steel-reinforced injection-molded construction, they will last for years.
The concave bottom, beveled edges, and tapered tail provide good maneuverability and stability for wakes both large and small.
The adjustable bindings fit a range of skiers up to US men’s size 12.
- Length: 68 inches
- Level: Beginner-Advanced
- Injection-molded, steel-reinforced construction
- Concave bottom
- Beveled edges
- Tapered tail
- Adjustable slide bindings (US men’s sizes 6-12)
- Price: $
Airhead S-1300 Combo Water Skis
A wide tail and tunnel-shaped bottom make them stable and they come with a removable crossbar good for training novices.
The durable composite construction ensures you’ll be using them for years and fiberglass-reinforced fins keep you on track and help in making turns.
- Length: 67 inches
- Level: Beginner
- Rim-molded composite construction
- Tunnel-shaped bottom
- Wide tail
- Adjustable slide bindings (US men’s sizes 5-12)
- Removable crossbar included
- Fiberglass-reinforced nylon fins
- Price: $
Connelly Eclipse Combo Water Skis
With a wide tip shaped in the center, a wide nose, and a narrow waist, they are stable yet responsive on turns.
Comfortable soft adjustable bindings fit a broad range of foot sizes and the drop-through aluminum fins ensure good tracking.
They have durable and lightweight composite construction with a UV-resistant coating.
- Length: 67 inches
- Level: Beginner-Advanced
- Skiers up to 275 pounds
- Reinforced composite construction
- High-gloss UV coating
- Wide nose and tail
- Narrow waist
- Swerve lace adjustable bindings with elastomer outer wrap (US men’s sizes 5-14)
- Aluminum drop-through fins
- Price: $
O’Brien Jr. Vortex Combo Water Skis
The extra-wide forebody and parabolic shape make it easy for young skiers to get up in deep water.
For beginners a stabilizer bar is included that makes it even easier and can be removed when the skill is mastered.
The package includes plastic fins and high-performance X7 bindings.
- Length: 54 inches
- Level: kids
- Skiers up to 140 pounds
- X-7 adjustable bindings
- Foot size: kids – 2, men’s – 7
- Includes stabilizer bar
- Plastic fins
- Price: $
Connelly Quantum Combo Water Skis
Narrow tunnels and wide tails are helpful for deep water starts and make for smooth turns.
With durable reinforced composite construction, glass-filled nylon fins, and quality sliding adjustable bindings, these skis will fit a range of body weights from 135-240 pounds and men’s feet sized 9-14.
- Length: 68 inches
- Level: Intermediate-Advanced
- Skiers from 135 to 240 pounds
- Reinforced composite construction
- Concave narrow tunnel bottoms
- Wide tails
- Slide adjustable bindings (US men’s sizes 9-14)
- Glass-filled nylon fins
- Price: $
Best Water Ski Comparison Table
Water Ski Buying Guide
Types of Skis
For the purposes of the general skiing public, there are two primary categories of skis.
- Combo Skis – These are sold as a pair with each ski having a binding so they can be used together. One of the skis has a second binding making it possible to use it individually. With these options, combo skis match the skills and capabilities of all levels of skiers, suit a wide variety of people, and are especially good for family use.
- Slalom Skis are sold individually and set up with two bindings one behind the other like the second ski of a combo ski pair. These skis are generally designed with a wider front that narrows toward the back that will perform well in turns like those in a slalom competition. Advanced skill levels are required for best use.
Length
For a skier to achieve the best stability and control, the length of the ski is a consideration. Heavier individuals will perform better on longer skis. Typically, for example, younger people under 80 pounds will want skis shorter than 63 inches. If you weigh above 210 pounds, skis from 67-69 inches are likely to be most suitable. Check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for matching user weight to ski length.
Materials
A number of materials are commonly used to fabricate skis. Most often they are constructed with a polyurethane foam core which is lightweight and buoyant. Around the core, various materials are used to wrap it like fiberglass, the more expensive fiberglass/graphite composite, or carbon fiber. These are all durable and flexible. A base is added to this foundation and epoxy resin is commonly added as a smooth finish that adds durability. Other plastic materials like ABS are also in use as a finish. It is still possible to find wooden skis and aluminum is available. Companies are always looking for new technologies for improvement.
Bindings
Bindings are the boot-like place where you can secure your feet to the skis. These are made of comfortable materials like rubber and neoprene and are often adjustable to fit a wide variety of foot sizes. They should fit firmly so that foot movement will exert the best control over the movement of the skis.
Some skis and bindings include a boot. Otherwise, custom-fit bindings are also available for an even better fit.
Fins
Fins are situated on the rear bottom of skis much like those on surfboards. They help keep the ski on track rather than sliding. This is especially useful for turning. Some fins are set up to be adjustable and removable for more versatility.
Edge and Bevel Angles
The shape of the ski’s edge or bevel angle affects speed and control. The sharper the beveled edge the faster the skis will be. Rounder bevels result in less speed which is a consideration for beginner skiers.
Bottom Design
The shape of ski bottoms affects performance.
- V-Bottom – These skis have a ridge down the center of the base making a v-shape. This is similar in shape to a basic boat hull and is a design that easily maintains a straight line and is easy to control. Beginner to intermediate ski models often use this design.
- Concave – These bottoms have an inward arch or tunnel-like formation across the width of the ski. The degree of this will affect the ability to cut and turn and stability.
Ski Flex
This refers to the stiffness of skis. Low-flex, stiffer skis tend to be faster but perform less well on turns. High-flex skis turn more easily but are slower for straight-line skiing.
Rocker
This term is commonly used for board and kayak bottoms, as well, and refers to the curve of the bottom along the nose to the tail of the ski. With a greater curve or high rocker, tighter radius turns are possible.
Width
The width of the skis has an effect on stability. Wider skis are more stable. Skis that are narrow, especially in the tail, make for easier turning and maneuverability.
Care and Maintenance
Water Ski Gear Maintenance Tips
Water Ski Basics For Beginners
Feedback and Comments
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