Buyers Guide: Best Kneeboards 2027

Our picks at a glance

The big split is construction. Plastic boards are tough, cheap and usually have a tow hook built in, so they suit kids and anyone having a first go. Fibreglass boards are lighter and more responsive, with sharper edges and more pop off the wake. If you're not sure where you sit, Reuben covers shapes, tails and straps in The Breakdown: Kneeboards.

Reuben runs through the KD kneeboard range in store, from the plastic Strike and Razor up to the carbon Neptune Legacy.

Plastic boards for kids and families

KD Strike pink and teal

The best option for young kids. It has a tow hook built in, so deep water starts are easy, and moulded fins in the tip and tail keep it tracking straight behind the boat. A soft foam kneepad and a single locking strap keep them comfortable and secure. It's also the board to throw in the boat for a guest who's never been behind one.

From the shop floor: The best option for young kids.

Build: Plastic · Tow hook: Built in · Colours: Pink, Teal

KD Razor purple, orange and blue and blue and yellow

Our best budget family board. It's still plastic with a reinforced fixed hook, but it's a more traditional kneeboard shape with more board under you, so it suits kids and bigger riders alike. The spoon shape gives good edge control, it sits low in the water to cut through chop, and EVA padding keeps your knees comfortable. KD says it works behind jet skis as well as boats.

From the shop floor: Our best budget family board.

Build: Plastic · Tow hook: Built in · Colours: Purple, Orange/Blue, Blue/Yellow

Fibreglass boards for the whole family

KD Crossfire

The most affordable fibreglass board we sell, and great for lighter, younger riders stepping up from a plastic board. Full-length channels in the base stop it feeling slippery, which catches out a lot of fibreglass boards, and the wider profile keeps you planted. The moulded kneepad is shaped to fit your legs. It has inserts for a KD tow hook, sold separately, if you want easier starts.

From the shop floor: The most affordable fibreglass board, great for lighter, younger riders.

Build: Fibreglass, PBT top and base · Tow hook: Inserts, hook sold separately

KD Mayhem and Lil Miss Mayhem

Our best all-round family fibreglass boards. Both come with a tow hook for easy deep water starts. The Mayhem has no moulded fins, and its shape gives strong edge hold. Both use KD's Diamond Technology for lift and less drag, and the Lil Miss Mayhem adds a full-length chine for tight turns. The Mayhem's kneepad supports your shins and takes pressure off your ankles.

From the shop floor: Our best all-round family fibreglass boards.

Build: Fibreglass · Tow hook: Included

Womens

Raptor Wild One

Our pick for women. A generous width at the tip and tail keeps it stable and softens landings, and integrated fins give smooth transitions. The kneepad is shaped for comfort through jumps. It's an easy, fun board that still has plenty of performance as you progress.

From the shop floor: Our pick for a womens board.

Build: Fibreglass

Performance

HO Joker

A top performer and the most popular classic kneeboard. The symmetrical shape rides just as well forwards or switch, and the 2-stage rocker gives you the pop to land tricks clean. A square tip and tail hold you through transitions, Locking Edge Channels hold your line on fakie landings, and the dual-density kneepad takes the hit on landings.

From the shop floor: A top performer and the most popular classic.

Build: Fibreglass

Raptor Welcome to the Madhouse black and white

Great for bigger guys and big pop. Raptor's core sits the board higher in the water, cutting drag and helping with spins and edge control, so you can attack the wake harder. It comes with Raptor's Deluxe Locking Strap and a hook.

From the shop floor: Great for bigger guys and big pop.

Build: Fibreglass · Tow hook: Included · Colours: Black, White

KD Neptune Legacy

Our best high-end board, and Franky Panno's pro model. It's full carbon, so it's light and explosive off the wake. A rounded pintail helps it edge and transition smoothly across the wake, and the three-stage rocker and fluted tail give consistent pop for big tricks. A triple-layer kneepad cushions landings, and there's an insert in the tip so you can add a hook for easier starts.

From the shop floor: Our best high-end board.

Build: Full carbon · Tow hook: Insert in the tip

Which board for which rider

• Young kids or a first-timer: the KD Strike.
• One cheap board for everyone on the boat: the KD Razor.
• A lighter, younger rider ready for fibreglass: the KD Crossfire.
• One good board the whole family can ride: the KD Mayhem or Lil Miss Mayhem.
• Women: the Raptor Wild One.
• Tricks and riding switch: the HO Joker.
• Bigger riders wanting more pop: the Raptor Madhouse.
• The best you can get: the KD Neptune Legacy.

Common questions

What is the best kneeboard for kids?

The KD Strike for young kids. It's plastic with a tow hook built in, moulded fins for tracking and a soft kneepad. When they're ready for fibreglass, the KD Crossfire suits lighter, younger riders.

What is the best kneeboard for a family?

The KD Razor is our best budget family board, with more board under you than the Strike so it suits kids and bigger riders. For fibreglass, the KD Mayhem and Lil Miss Mayhem are our best all-round family boards.

Should I buy a plastic or fibreglass kneeboard?

Plastic if it's for kids, first-timers or a budget, because plastic boards are tough and usually have a tow hook built in. Fibreglass if you want a lighter, more responsive board with sharper edges and more pop off the wake.

What is the best kneeboard for bigger riders?

The Raptor Welcome to the Madhouse. It sits higher in the water, has big pop and comes with a locking strap and hook. The KD Razor is the budget option with more board under you.

What is the best womens kneeboard?

Our pick is the Raptor Wild One. It has a wide tip and tail for stability and soft landings, and a comfortable shaped kneepad.

What does a tow hook do on a kneeboard?

A kneeboard handle has a small bar that sits in the hook, so the board takes the pull on the start while you lie on it. Once you're up on your knees, you unhook. The Strike and Razor have one built in, the Mayhem, Lil Miss Mayhem and Madhouse come with one, and the Crossfire and Neptune Legacy have inserts so you can add one.

Related guides

• The Breakdown: Kneeboards, for shapes, tails and straps
• How to set up your kneeboard
• How to get up on a kneeboard
• Kneeboard starts explained: tow hook, handle and boat speed
• How to attach a tow rope to your boat or jet ski
• Buyers Guide: Best Life Jackets
• Buyers Guide: Best Kids Life Jackets

Or see all kneeboards.

Waterskiers World. Australia's dedicated towed water sports retailer, family-run for over 20 years from our Brisbane store and online.