Buyers Guide: Best Combo Water Skis 2027

Our picks at a glance

Combo skis, also called double water skis, are the easiest way to learn. Two skis are more stable than one, so you can get up and find your balance before you move to a slalom ski. Most adult pairs can also be used as a single slalom ski once you're ready. For how the range works, from bindings to combo bars, watch The Breakdown: Double Skis.

Trainers for young kids

Before a pair of skis, young kids can start on a trainer. A spotter in the boat holds the rope, so the child doesn't have to hold their own weight on the start.

EZ Ski Trainer

The best way to introduce young kids to the sport. They get on the EZ Ski straight from the swim step. The observer holds one end of the rope and the child holds a single handle on the ski, so if they fall, the observer lets go and the ski stays with them. It's very stable and easy to climb back onto in the water.

From the shop floor: The best option to introduce young kids to the sport.

Suits: kids up to 32 kg (70 lb) · Speed: 16 km/h (10 mph) maximum

Connelly Fire Cracker

The next step up: a single-piece U-shaped platform that's stable and forgiving while kids find their balance. The two-handle rope connects to the trainer, so the spotter holds both handles and controls the ride, and simply lets go to stop.

From the shop floor: The next step platform trainer for young kids.

Suits: ages 5 to 10

KD Calypso

Our best budget kids trainer. It's a pair of 45" trainer skis with a removable stabiliser bar that keeps the fronts and backs in place. The rope attaches straight to the skis with two handles, so an adult controls the pull from the boat and just lets go if they fall.

From the shop floor: Our best budget kids trainer.

Length: 45" · Includes: removable stabiliser bar, rope with two handles

Kids skis

Connelly Cadet

Our top kids pair. A wider shape and large surface area keep young skiers stable, and the Connelly Tracking System helps the skis hold a straight line. It comes with a removable stabiliser bar, plus a rope and handle, so you can start straight away. Take the bar off once they're confident.

From the shop floor: Our top kids pair.

Suits: ages 5 to 12, up to 35 kg · Includes: stabiliser bar, rope and handle

Junior skis

KD Vapor Junior teal and pink

Our top junior pick. The bindings are sized properly for smaller skiers, and the tunnelled V bottom helps with deep water starts and control. A stabiliser bar keeps the skis in line while they learn, and comes off once they've got the basics. The foam-lined horseshoe bindings adjust as feet grow.

From the shop floor: Our top pick junior pair.

Length: 55" · Colours: Teal, Pink

Radar Origin Junior

A traditional shape, with a narrower profile for more agility. Sliding, adjustable horseshoe bindings fit a range of feet.

From the shop floor: A traditional shape junior set.

Length: 59"

Youth skis

Connelly Voyage

Our top youth pick. It's a traditional shape that's a little wider under the bindings and back to the tail, so there's extra surface area to get up and stay stable. Stepped tunnels in the base cut drag so the skis feel free to turn. The 68" suits bigger and heavier skiers.

From the shop floor: Our top pick youth set.

Lengths: 64", 68"

HO Excel Youth

A traditional youth set. A tunnel bottom keeps it tracking straight, and the tips take HO's trainer bar to keep them aligned on the start. Adjustable horseshoe bindings fit growing feet.

From the shop floor: A traditional youth set.

Length: 63"

Adult skis

KD Vapor Adult

Our budget adult pair. It has a tunnel bottom for stability and foam-lined adjustable horseshoe bindings, and one ski can be used as an entry-level slalom ski once you're ready.

From the shop floor: Our budget adult pair.

Length: 67"

Radar X-Caliber

A wide body pair with Radar's Cruise binding. The extra width gives stability and lift for easier starts, and the Cruise boot is comfortable from the first time you put it on.

From the shop floor: Wide body, with the Cruise binding.

Length: 67"

Connelly Big Easy

Our top wide body pick. The wide surface area gives fast, easy starts and handles heavier skiers without losing control. A double tunnel tracks cleanly through turns.

From the shop floor: Our top pick wide body.

Length: 67"

HO Freeride

The performance pair. A low drag design makes starts easier, even in chop, and once you're up the skis carve smoothly and predictably. It suits skiers moving from beginner to intermediate.

From the shop floor: Our performance pair.

Length: 67"

Connelly Eclypse

The most supportive bindings in this guide. Connelly's Swerve binding wraps and holds your foot without fighting your movement. A wide nose and tail make deep water starts easy, and the narrow waist keeps the skis lively.

From the shop floor: The most supportive bindings.

Length: 67" · Binding: Connelly Swerve

Getting the size right

Combo skis are sized on weight first, with height as a second check. Our combo ski size calculator gives you a length, and this is the chart it uses:

If you're between sizes, or learning behind a smaller boat, go longer for easier starts. If you're on a wide body pair, you can usually drop a size.

Common questions

What is the best way to teach a young kid to water ski?

Start on a trainer like the EZ Ski Trainer, the Connelly Fire Cracker or, on a budget, the KD Calypso. A spotter in the boat holds the rope, so the child doesn't have to hold their own weight on the start. Then move to a kids pair like the Connelly Cadet.

What are the best combo water skis for kids?

The Connelly Cadet is our top kids pair, for ages 5 to 12 and up to 35 kg. For juniors, our top pick is the KD Vapor Junior.

What are the best combo water skis for adults?

The Connelly Big Easy is our top wide body pair. The KD Vapor Adult is the budget pick, the HO Freeride is the performance pair, and the Connelly Eclypse has the most supportive bindings.

What size combo skis do I need?

Size on weight first. As a guide, juniors from 35 to 52 kg suit 55 to 59 inches, youth from 52 to 80 kg suit 60 to 64 inches, and adults from 55 kg suit 65 to 68 inches. Use the combo ski size calculator for your length.

Can I use a combo ski as a slalom ski?

On many adult pairs, yes. The KD Vapor Adult, for example, can be used as an entry-level slalom ski once you're ready for one ski.

Related guides

• Combo ski size calculator
• The Breakdown: Double Skis, how combo skis work and what to look for
• How to get up on two water skis for the first time
• How to turn on combo water skis
• How to cross the wake on combo water skis
• Best kids slalom skis, for the next step to one ski
• Best beginner and intermediate slalom skis, for adults ready for one ski
• The Breakdown: Water ski ropes and handles
• 5 awesome ways to teach kids to waterski
• Buyers Guide: Best Kids Life Jackets
• Buyers Guide: Best Life Jackets

Or see all combo water skis.

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