Ready for a new kind of wake experience, but don’t know where to start? Our guide to wake foiling covers everything you need to know before getting involved including:
- What wake foiling is
- Wake foil brands you can trust
- The best wake foil board packages
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to add a new dimension to your days on the water, you’re in the right place. Wake foiling is about as much fun as you can have on the wake, and you can do it behind any watercraft (even jet skis) and in any water conditions, given you’ll be cruising 2-4ft above the waterline.
Want the short story on which board package to buy? Our pick for the best wake foil board overall is the Liquid Force Carbon.
What is Wake Foiling?
Wake foils use a metal or carbon frame with a board fixed on top. The fins on the frame cut through the water and provide lift; you'll be 2-4ft above the surface. Essentially, apart from when you get up (or bail), your board won’t touch the water.
Wake foil boards feel much like a snowboard on the piste would in the deepest and freshest powder; pretty-epic basically! But, a smooth ride isn’t the only benefit of wake foiling:
- You can tow a wake foil with any watercraft, including jet skis. So, you won’t need to invest $30k+ on a wakeboard boat to get started
- There’s plenty of “give” in wake foiling, so it’s easy for beginners to learn; easier than wakeboarding in fact
- As wake foiling can be done behind any watercraft or boat, the cost to get started isn’t as much as wakeboarding (whereby you’d need a specific boat, ballast setup and wake shaper).
Want to jump straight over and see what packages are on offer? There are some great foil boards for sale here at reasonable prices.
And to wet your appetite, here’s a quick video of a Liquid Force foil in action:
How We Picked
Naturally, we’re constantly gawping at wake gear, day in and day out. For this post specifically, we spent an extra 12 hours on top of what we already know, to bring together and shortlist this year’s best wake foil board packages.
We’re not including any cheap or “no-name” brands, simply because whilst less expensive, they don’t represent good value for money. They rarely give a good ride, and don’t stand the test of time...pointless!
We’ve only included brands that offer top quality wake foils, boards and packages. Prices range from $1000-2000, and you can jump over and see a full range of what’s for sale over at one of the best retailers here.
Top Picks: The Best Wake Foil Board Brands
Whilst we’ve spent tons of time researching, short listing, and presenting what we consider to be the best wake foil board packages this year, all we’d really say is stick to leading brands. Our favorite brands include:
- Phase Five
- Liquid Force
- Slingshot
Check them out here.
This Year’s Best Wake Foil Boards
Below we’ve listed three products based on hours of research and narrowing down our very long list, to an incredibly short one.
Below we have the best:
- Overall package
- Foil only
- Overall package for low speed maneuverability
Top Pick: Overall Best Wake Foil Set
Liquid Force Carbon Horizon + Nebula
If you want the best wake foil board set on the market, you’ll need to pay big bucks for it. Still, at close to $2,500 (non-carbon version available for sub $2k), we pick the Carbon Horizon + Nebula package.
You get what you pay for. If you want a board that’s going to offer the best riding experience in all conditions and for all skill levels, this is the board package for you.
Want to check out current prices on the Force Carbon + Nebula package? You can do that here.
Nebula Wake Foil Board
The Liquid Force Nebula wake foil board is a top-of-the-line hydrofoil board that boasts exceptional performance and durability. The board's construction is composed of a Dura Shell, which gives it the strength to withstand any beating, while a Stringerless EPS foam ensures flexibility and maneuverability.
Developed in conjunction with professional wakeboarder Austin Keen, the Nebula Wake Foil Board is tailored to intermediate and advanced riders, making it unsuitable for beginners. Its unique design and impressive performance capabilities mean that riders will need some experience to truly appreciate what this board has to offer.
One of the standout features of the Nebula Wake Foil Board is its exceptional warranty. When purchasing both the board and foil set, you'll get a 1-year warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
Overall, the Nebula Wake Foil Board is an excellent investment for wakeboarders who want to take their skills to the next level. Its innovative design, exceptional performance, and durability make it one of the best in the business. So, if you're an intermediate or advanced rider looking for a board that will elevate your wakeboarding game, the Nebula Wake Foil Board is definitely worth considering.
Carbon Horizon Foil Set
The Carbon Horizon Foil Set is an exceptional hydrofoil set designed for thrill-seeking water sports enthusiasts who want to take their wake foil skills to new heights. This high-performance set is specifically designed for kiteboarding, wakeboarding, and other water sports, providing riders with unparalleled speed, agility, and control on their wake foil board.
Crafted from premium-grade carbon fiber, the Carbon Horizon Foil Set is both lightweight and durable, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Its sleek and streamlined design enables riders to cut through the water with ease on their wake foil, while its impressive maneuverability allows them to execute sharp turns and tricks on their wake foil board.
One of the standout features of the Carbon Horizon Foil Set is its versatility for wake foiling. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner on a wake foil board, this set is suitable for riders of all skill levels. Its adjustable mast height and wing angles mean that you can customize the set to suit your needs and preferences on your wake foil.
We found the package for sale at a reasonable price over here.
Top Pick: Best Wake Foil for Beginners
Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf - Foil Only
The Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is an exceptional wake foil that is widely considered one of the best in the business. While the full Slingshot wake foil package deal may not be currently available, the V3 Hover Glide FSurf is a standout product that stands on its own.
One of the most attractive features of the Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is its compatibility with boards from other manufacturers. This makes it a great option for riders who already own a favorite wake foil board or want to mix and match equipment to suit their needs.
The Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is known for providing maximum fun with minimal effort. Its unique design allows for easier pumping compared to a typical wake foil, making it effortless to cruise over smooth water and link waves.
While the Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is a great wake foil for beginners, it's also versatile enough to be enjoyed by riders of all levels, from beginner to expert. Its impressive performance capabilities mean that even experienced riders will appreciate the ease and smoothness of the ride.
In summary, the Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is an exceptional wake foil that is highly recommended for anyone looking to elevate their wake foiling game. Its compatibility with other boards, ease of use, and impressive performance make it a standout product in the industry. So, if you're looking for a wake foil that is both fun and effortless to ride, the Slingshot Hover Glide (V3) FSurf is definitely worth considering.
Ready to ride? Get a great deal on the Slingshot foil here.
Top Pick: Best Wake Foil for Low Speed Maneuverability
Phase Five Chip Package
When it comes to wake foiling, the Phase Five Chip Package is a top-of-the-line product that is perfect for low-speed riding. While it can retail for $2k plus, we found a deal for under $2k, and prices can drop even further for their "Gadget" range.
This board is specifically designed for those who love to carve hard, much like you would when wakeboarding. The board's stability at high speeds may be compromised, but this is in favor of exceptional low-speed maneuverability that allows riders to pull off impressive turns and tricks with ease.
One of the standout features of the Phase Five Chip Package is the 760 wing on the foil, which provides exceptional lift and more than your average foil board setup. This means that riders can easily catch the wake and stay in the air for longer, adding an extra level of excitement to their wake foiling experience.
The Phase Five Chip Package is suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to experts, assuming that low-speed foiling is their thing. We even found some incredible package deals over at this store, making it an accessible and affordable option for anyone looking to take their wake foiling to the next level.
In summary, the Phase Five Chip Package is an exceptional wake foil that is perfect for low-speed riding and carving. Its impressive maneuverability and lift capabilities make it a top choice for wake foiling enthusiasts of all levels. So, if you're looking for a high-quality wake foil that won't break the bank, the Phase Five Chip Package is definitely worth considering.
We found them for sale at incredibly low prices (as a package deal) over at this store.
In Summary
And that’s it, our guide to wake foiling, including our top picks for the foil packages you should be buying.
Want to explore more? You can check out foils here, or jump over to our wakeboarding page and see what’s new.