Best Pull Buoys for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

Pull buoys are one of the most underrated tools in a competitive swimmer's bag. By eliminating the kick and isolating your upper body, a pull buoy forces you to develop a stronger catch, a better high-elbow pull, and more efficient body rotation. I've been competitive swimming since age 8, raced at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, earned a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships in the 4x100 medley relay, and currently hold the American Record in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39. Pull sets are a staple of my weekly yardage.

The best pull buoys stay firmly in place, give you a natural body position in the water, and hold up through thousands of yards of training without falling apart. Here are my top 5 pull buoys for training in 2025.

#1 Speedo Pull Buoy — Best Overall (~$15–20)

The Speedo Pull Buoy is the gold standard for competitive swimmers at every level. The foam density is firm enough to give you real lift without exaggerating your body position, the figure-eight shape locks between your thighs naturally, and the construction holds up through years of hard use. It's the pull buoy you'll find on the pool deck at most competitive programs, and for good reason — it just works.

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#2 TYR Pull Float — Best for Technique (~$15–20)

The TYR Pull Float has a slightly more flexible construction than the Speedo, which makes it a great choice for swimmers focused on technique work. The softer foam gives you immediate feedback if you're squeezing too hard or positioning the buoy incorrectly, training you to maintain a relaxed lower body. It still provides enough lift to keep your hips up, and the figure-eight shape stays secure throughout long pull sets.

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#3 Arena Pull Kick — Best 2-in-1 (~$20–25)

The Arena Pull Kick is the most versatile training tool on this list — it functions as both a pull buoy and a kickboard, making it ideal for swimmers who want to maximize their equipment. The two-piece interlocking design is adjustable for different body sizes, and the buoyancy is substantial enough for effective pulling sets. If you're traveling with limited bag space or training at a facility without a full equipment supply, the Arena Pull Kick is the smart choice.

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#4 Deboer Swim Pull Buoy — My Training Brand

Deboer Swim is the brand I train with as a member of their Team Elite program. Their pull buoy is built for competitive swimmers — the foam density is calibrated for real training use, and the shape gives you a natural body position without exaggerating hip lift. I use it in my daily pull sets and it holds up through high-yardage training without breaking down. If you're a competitive swimmer who wants to train with the same gear your teammates use at the elite level, this is the one.

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#5 Finis Pull Buoy — Best for Hip Lift (~$15–20)

The Finis Pull Buoy is designed to provide maximum hip lift, making it the best option for swimmers who struggle to keep their hips up during pull sets. The unique shape creates more buoyancy at the hips than a standard figure-eight buoy, which helps swimmers with lower body sinking issues develop a better body line. It's slightly more buoyant than the Speedo, which makes it a training tool rather than a race-simulation buoy, but for developing hip awareness and body position, it's the most effective option on the market.

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Final Verdict

Here's how the top pull buoys break down:

• Best Overall: Speedo Pull Buoy — reliable, firm, used at every level of competitive swimming

• Best for Technique: TYR Pull Float — softer foam gives feedback on body position

• Best 2-in-1: Arena Pull Kick — doubles as a kickboard, great for travel

• My Training Brand: Deboer Swim Pull Buoy — built for serious competitive swimmers

• Best for Hip Lift: Finis Pull Buoy — maximum buoyancy for swimmers who need hip correction

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