By: Jack Mace: Watersports Buyer | May 4, 2022
There are lots of options when you begin shopping for water skis. Are you looking for a single slalom ski or a pair of combo skis that allow you to use two or one? Or maybe you’re looking to mix it up altogether and get a wider hybrid slalom ski for some surf-inspired vibes.
No matter your riding style, the best water skis of 2022 have cutting-edge technology, construction, and key features that will take your water skiing from a walk in the park to an exhilarating thrill ride. Here, we’re bringing you a little bit of everything, with our list of the best water skis.
The Connelly Aspect Slalom Water Ski is light, nimble, and designed to excel at slower speeds. A great ski for beginners that want the float of a wider ski but don't want to sacrifice maneuverability, or intermediate skiers who just want to get out there but don't have the big guns, the Aspect has everything you need. A polished speed base provides gliding behind the boat, and The Swerve with RTS Bindings offer a lace-up style that will work for everyone's toes. Grab your Connelly Aspect Slalom Water Ski + Swerve with RTS Binding combo and get ready to send it!
Ability Level | Original Price |
Beginner - Intermediate | $449.99 |
It's time to swap out Uncle Gary's old fiberglass clunker for the Connelly V Slalom Water Ski + Tempest with RTP Bindings. Connelly has 55 years of experience in the slalom industry, and it shows with this lightweight, high-performance ripper. V-Tech reduces drag, a wider forebody provides stabilizes your ride, and a wide tunnel pushes you to find your edge so you can show dad and Uncle G that you're more than skilled enough to ride with the big dogs.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Intermediate - Advanced | $599.99 |
Glassy mornings filled with hard cuts and big rooster tails await with the Connelly Aspect Slalom Water Ski + Swerve with RTS Bindings. Designed for new and intermediate skiers who want to spend more time cutting back and forth across the wake and less time trying to get up, the Aspect Slalom Water Ski boasts a nice wide footprint and a V-Tech hull to ensure easy starts and smooth sailing once you're up.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Beginner - Intermediate | $449.99 |
Leave the days of difficult starts and tired arms behind you with the oversized shape and incredibly fun HO Burner Combo Water Skis + Adj. Horseshoe Bindings. Substantially wider than old waterski designs, the Burner Combos have the added buoyancy needed to make deep water starts easier and less straining at low speeds once you're up. The HO Burner Combo Water Skis + Adj. Horseshoe Bindings are designed with a V-bottom base for maximum stability and effortless cuts.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Intermediate - Advanced | $234.99 |
Perfect for recreational riders and newbies looking to get comfortable on a single ski, the HO Hovercraft Phantom Water Ski + Stance 110 Bindings has everything you need to get up and get comfortable. The extra-wide frame grants unparalleled stability and increased buoyancy for smoother getups and less squirrelly tracking once you're on plane, while the swallowtail and tri-fin setup yield easier turning and more intuitive edge control.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Beginner - Intermediate | $559.99 |
Straightforward deep water starts and smooth, stable turns are the name of the game with the Obrien Sequence Slalom Water Ski + Z9 STD & STD RTS Bindings. If you're not one of those Speed Racer types, the Sequence will suit you just fine at slower speeds while still allowing you to carve like a pro.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Beginner - Intermediate | $359.99 |
It's open season on open water, and the Radar Terrain Slalom Ski + Prime & ARTP Bindings are ready to lead the charge. With straight lines and Radar's updated Grip Rails, the Terrain maintains speed with ease and carves choppy water like a hot knife through butter. A great choice if you're looking to kick things up a gear and mash the pedal to the metal.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Intermediate - Advanced | $519.99 |
Someone on the boat having a bad time? Get em on the Radar Senate Alloy Slalom Ski + Vector & ARTP Bindings and fillibuster that nonsense into next week. Built just a smidgen wider than the industry leading Vapor, the Senate provides a super stable, super fast ride suitable for courses and open water alike. A smooth flexing 100% Carbon fiber wrap and forgiving All Terrain Core make this the easy choice for water-shralpers of any ability.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Intermediate - Advanced | $749.99 |
If you want to improve your riding prospects, you better Unionize. The Radar Union Slalom Ski + Prime & ARTP Bindings are built with a little extra width for the kind of stable and forgiving ride that fosters rapid improvement. The good news is it still performs like a seasoned vet that's been in the industry for years. Join the Union and find out what you've been missing.
Ability Level | Original Price |
Beginner - Intermediate | $529.99 |
Our wake buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things watersports stemming from years of experience in the watersports industry in tandem with their countless hours out in the water catching waves behind the boat or ripping at the cable park. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
I grew up on the north end of Lake Washington and was surrounded by watersports enthusiasts who all had an immense passion for any activity done on the water. My dad has also worked in the boating industry my whole life, so those two factors were the main building blocks that shaped my love for the industry from a young age.
After attending Western Washington University, I moved back to the Seattle area and worked as a sailing instructor for a number of years at my cousin’s rental shop on Lake Union before joining the evo family in 2012.
At evo, I started out on the customer service team and worked my way onto the merchandising team which gave me the opportunity to integrate my passion and love for the water into a career as the Watersports Buyer. I still reside in the Seattle area with my wife Katie and two sons, Wes and Carter.