Cap construction vs Sidewall Construction

Sidewalls allow for a more durability, torsional stiffness, and edge grip. Plus they look 10x better and everyone knows thats what counts

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Sidewall.

cultraraSidewalls allow for a more durability, torsional stiffness, and edge grip. Plus they look 10x better and everyone knows thats what counts

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preach brother

Sidewall is hugely better. Most companies try to advertise the benefits of cap contraction skis as being light and playful, but all they really do is make it harder to chip the top sheets which doesn't matter anyway. Semicap, where there is a thin cap layer covered by sidewall works well, however, because the power and durability of the sidewall is prevalent, but the topsheet is still protected, and it weighs a little less. Ski companies that cap the tip and tail but keep sidewall underfoot advertise that it is the best of both worlds, when in reality, the tip and tail now do not have the torsional stiffness of the energy transfer, which I have found to be very noticeable for carving ability. Generally, sidewall and semi cap are the way to go.

In mass production Cap is the cheapest way to build skis, it's also impossible to repair when you impact an edge. Great for foam core rental skis but not for park or freeride.

Semi-Cap is the most expensive way to build skis because it requires a 3D top to the mold and a precision press, both of which are extremely expensive. You have all the benefits of sidewall with the added bonus that the cap section helps to stop your topsheets chipping. Plus they just look slicker in the rack.

Honestly, when it comes to edge grip and torsional stability both constructions are dependent on internal construction more than "sidewall vs cap".

If I gave you our World Cup FIS construction GS skis (which are cap construction) and gave you a pair of the full side wall Punx, I think you would find that the GS ski of the same length has more edge grip, torsional stability, and straightline stability.

onenerdykidHonestly, when it comes to edge grip and torsional stability both constructions are dependent on internal construction more than "sidewall vs cap".

If I gave you our World Cup FIS construction GS skis (which are cap construction) and gave you a pair of the full side wall Punx, I think you would find that the GS ski of the same length has more edge grip, torsional stability, and straightline stability.

Fair point, but that could be Titinal in the ski construction, thickness of the core, effective edge, sidecut... etc etc.

AmplidFair point, but that could be Titinal in the ski construction, thickness of the core, effective edge, sidecut... etc etc.

That's exactly my point- everyone needs to look at what is under the cap/sidewall as well. A simple blanket statement about sidewall delivering more edge hold than cap is unfounded (not that I thought you were saying that, but I saw it in another comment).

While I personally like the look of sidewall or step-down sidewall ski better, there are for sure some cap skis that seriously rip. To me it wouldn't make or break my ski decision since cap/sidewall should be viewed as a single ingredient in the multitude of ingredients within the overall recipe for an awesome ski.

From a manufacturer's perspective, it is also easier to get a wider variety of skis out of a vertically laminated sidewall mold. The manufacturer can change the layup much easier to get different flexing/behaving skis out of one mold. This is partly why you see the vast majority of smaller manufacturers go this route because they can make the most of their investment. I don't mean that in any negative way whatsoever, just a good fact about ski building.

onenerdykidFrom a manufacturer's perspective, it is also easier to get a wider variety of skis out of a vertically laminated sidewall mold. The manufacturer can change the layup much easier to get different flexing/behaving skis out of one mold. This is partly why you see the vast majority of smaller manufacturers go this route because they can make the most of their investment. I don't mean that in any negative way whatsoever, just a good fact about ski building.

Now that we have someone in the know here, why does Atomic make their WC-raceskis cap? What are the factors that make them choose the construction which majority of other companies do not? (I don't think i've seen any other cap skis in WC in about 10years)

DonNutNow that we have someone in the know here, why does Atomic make their WC-raceskis cap? What are the factors that make them choose the construction which majority of other companies do not? (I don't think i've seen any other cap skis in WC in about 10years)

When it comes to racing, what is fast is what wins. And we always test for whatever will deliver the fastest skis, whether it is sidewall or cap. Currently with our skis(and Salomon since they use our skis in WC) we use cap construction in Slalom, GS, Super G, and Downhill and for a few athletes we make sidewall skis in Super G and Downhill. It all comes down to snow feel, confidence, and speed, and our athletes only care about those factors. They don't care if it has cap or sidewall- they just want the fastest skis possible. Right now our formula is built around a cap construction for all disciplines because it delivers the best snow feel, the most confidence, and fastest results.

If you look at Slalom for example, where there are insanely high edge grip and torsional stability requirements, none of our athletes (including Men's and Women's Slalom Globe winners Marcel and Mikaela) want our ski in sidewall. They prefer the cap version.