For years, the ski and board community has clung to outdated ideas about cap construction, stuck in the past when foam-core skis gave it a bad name. But times have changed, and so has the tech.

The truth? Cap construction—when done right—creates skis and boards that are light, durable, and perform just as well as traditional sidewall construction.

The issue? Most people first experience cap construction on budget rental skis and boards that neither ride well nor hold up to aggressive riding. This is why we’re here to take on the 3 biggest myths about cap construction to prove that it’s more than capable in any terrain.

Myth: Cap Construction is Cheap

Fact: Choosing cap construction isn’t about cutting costs—it’s about cutting weight.

The idea that cap construction is a budget option comes from mass-produced beginner skis and snowboards that used cheap materials and poor build quality. But Voile’s cap construction isn’t built that way.

We design our skis and splitboards with:

• Full wood cores for strength and longevity
• Fiberglass mounting patches to reinforce key stress points
• Triaxial fiberglass for torsional stiffness and durability
• Carbon weave reinforcement (except on the Spartan Splitboard, which ditches carbon for a more forgiving flex)

In fact, our cap construction skis and boards are lighter, just as strong, and perform better in the backcountry than many sidewall options on the market. If we were just trying to save money, we wouldn’t also build high-performance sidewall skis and boards—like the 2x Blister Best of Test-winning Skyline Splitboard and Backcountry Magazine Award-winning ACE skis. We know how to build sidewall gear—we just believe cap construction works really well when it comes to touring.

While other brands try to shave weight by thinning materials or compromising downhill performance, our cap construction keeps Voile skis and splitboards lightweight without sacrificing strength. It’s a performance-driven choice—not a cost-cutting one.

Myth: Cap Construction is not Durable

Fact: Voile cap construction skis and splitboards are built to take a beating.

Why Voile Cap Construction Holds Up:

1. Materials Matter – Unlike the foam-core cap skis of the ‘90s, Voile skis and splitboards use full wood cores—the same high-quality materials found in top-tier sidewall options. This means they have the same structural integrity and durability as any premium ski or splitboard on the market.
2. Stronger by Design – Cap construction wraps the top layer seamlessly over the core, reducing the chances of sidewall blowouts, which are a common failure point in sidewall boards when they take direct impacts. This design helps disperse impact forces evenly instead of concentrating them at the edges, preventing delamination.
3. Real-World Testing – Our team and riders like Aaron D have pushed Voile splitboards through some of the gnarliest terrain imaginable. From technical descents in remote ranges to long, grueling approaches where every ounce matters, our cap construction boards have proven their durability season after season. But don’t take it from us, here’s what Aaron has to say about cap!

Bottom line? Voile’s cap construction isn’t just durable—it’s built for the demands of serious backcountry riding.

Myth: Cap Skis and Boards don’t perform well

Fact: the performance of any ski (cap or sidewall) is more about what’s under the hood.

If cap construction really couldn’t handle technical descents, steep lines, or variable conditions, we wouldn’t still be making it. And yet, year after year, Voile cap construction skis and splitboards continue to deliver top-tier downhill performance—while being lighter and more efficient on the uphill.

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  Steep and deep on the SuperCharger
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  Ripping on the Revelator

What Makes Voile Cap Construction Perform?

• Precision Flex Patterns – Engineered for responsiveness and stability, giving you control in all conditions.
• Balanced Torsional Stiffness – Delivers a smooth, predictable ride with the power to hold an edge when you need it most.
• Seamless Energy Transfer – With no abrupt sidewall transition, cap construction creates a fluid, natural flex for consistent response throughout the ski or board.

Whether you’re navigating technical chutes, slashing through powder, or carving on firm snow, Voile cap construction delivers. At the end of the day, performance is about design and execution—not whether a board has cap or sidewall construction. And when it comes to backcountry riding, Voile’s cap construction proves itself where it matters most: in the mountains.

We Get It—Preferences Matter

And hey, we get it—riders have preferences. That’s why we offer a full-sidewall board (the Skyline) and hybrid-sidewall skis (the ACE series). While cap construction can go toe-to-toe with these other build styles, it does offer a different feel.

We’re not here to tell you cap is better than sidewall or hybrid construction—we’re just saying it’s on par, and there’s a good chance it’s exactly what you’ve been looking for. Every rider is different, and we respect that. But what we do know? Cap construction isn’t going anywhere—because it works.

Try It Yourself

Cap construction has been misunderstood for too long. But the reality is simple: when done right, it delivers lightweight efficiency, durability, and top-tier performance in the backcountry.

So next time someone tells you cap construction is cheap, fragile, or underperforms? You’ll know better.

Still skeptical? We invite you to debunk these cap construction myths yourself. Come demo our boards at the Voile Rental Center and feel the difference firsthand.