Best Pull Buoy for Swimming 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

The pull buoy has been part of my training since I started competitive swimming at age 8 in Hawaii. Throughout my career — competing at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships, and setting the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39 — I've logged tens of thousands of yards with a pull buoy between my legs. I know every subtle difference between a great one and an average one.

The best pull buoys elevate your hips naturally without feeling bulky or shifting position mid-set. You want dense, durable foam that maintains buoyancy over years of use, a shape that fits comfortably between your thighs without chafing, and a size that matches your body. Here are my top 5 picks for 2025.

#1 Speedo Team Pull Buoy — Best Overall (~$20)

The Speedo Team Pull Buoy is the industry standard for good reason — it's what you'll find on the pool deck at every competitive club and collegiate program in the country. The figure-8 shape provides excellent hip lift and stability, the dense EVA foam maintains its buoyancy season after season, and the compact size works well for most adult swimmers. It won't shift or squeeze out from between your legs, and the price-to-performance ratio is unmatched.

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#2 TYR Pull Float — Best for Larger Swimmers (~$20)

The TYR Pull Float runs slightly larger than the Speedo standard, making it an excellent choice for bigger swimmers or anyone who finds standard pull buoys don't provide enough lift. The slightly wider figure-8 body distributes buoyancy more evenly across the thighs, and the dense foam construction holds up well over time. TYR's version has a smoother surface finish that's comfortable against bare skin during longer pull sets.

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#3 Finis Alignment Pull Buoy — Best for Body Position (~$25)

The Finis Alignment Pull Buoy takes a different approach with a single-cylinder design rather than the traditional figure-8. This shape encourages better hip rotation and body alignment — it forces you to engage your core more actively, which makes it excellent for technique-focused training. It's slightly smaller and lighter than traditional pull buoys, and swimmers who want to challenge their balance while pulling will find it a more rewarding training tool.

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#4 Deboer Swim — My Training Brand

As a member of Deboer Swim's Team Elite program, I train in and recommend their gear to every serious swimmer I coach and compete alongside. Deboer builds high-performance swimwear and training equipment designed for elite athletes who demand the best. Their products are built to last and engineered to help you train harder and race faster.

Shop Deboer Swim → (Use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off)

#5 Arena Pull Kick — Best 2-in-1 (~$18)

The Arena Pull Kick is a unique dual-purpose training tool that functions as both a pull buoy and a kickboard. The ergonomic figure-8 shape works between your legs for pull sets, then flips to use as a compact kickboard for kick sets. It's a great value for swimmers who want to minimize equipment on the pool deck without sacrificing training versatility. The dense foam construction is durable, and the compact size makes it easy to pack in a swim bag.

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Final Verdict

Best Overall: Speedo Team Pull Buoy — industry standard figure-8, dense EVA foam, excellent hip lift, won't shift mid-set, unmatched price-to-performance at ~$20.

Best for Larger Swimmers: TYR Pull Float — wider figure-8 body, smoother surface, better hip lift for bigger swimmers at ~$20.

Best for Body Position: Finis Alignment Pull Buoy — single-cylinder design challenges core engagement and improves hip rotation and body alignment at ~$25.

My Training Brand: Deboer Swim — use code TE_RANDALL10 for 10% off

Best 2-in-1: Arena Pull Kick — functions as pull buoy and kickboard, compact and swim-bag friendly for versatile training at ~$18.

Affiliate Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I have personally used or thoroughly researched.