Best Swim Kickboards for Training 2025 (Tested by a World Championship Swimmer)

The kickboard is one of the most fundamental training tools in competitive swimming, and I've been using them since I started competing at age 8. From age group swimming through college and all the way to the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and earning a silver medal at the 2008 FINA World Championships as part of the 4x100 medley relay team, kickboard sets have built the leg strength and kick mechanics that power my butterfly. As an American Record holder in the 100 yard butterfly for ages 35–39 and a Deboer Swim Team Elite member, I still use kickboards in every training cycle.

When evaluating kickboards, I look for the right buoyancy level for the swimmer's size, a comfortable grip and shape that promotes proper body position, durable foam construction, and a compact design that travels well. After years of testing, here are my top five swim kickboards for 2025.