1 year in of owning a Smik hipster twin pin with the fabric inlay rails. No rail tape and I've had plenty of fun sessions. I am totally amazed with how the rails are holding up. There is no damage at all. Could this be the best construction ever?!

The first photo is from the right side front, where normally my boards take the most impact. Photos from today after a few morning waves

You will get the same impact resistance with all boards that are not painted over the lamination and/or hotcoat.

When rails chip, it is the paint, as it is from a different material than the underlying epoxy.
Paint is however the cheapest way (time is money) to get a pinhole-proof finish.

justinstuart said..
that makes me feel I got even more value for money on the Smik

Note that paint is used on the rails also because it is harder (= more expensive) to have something "showable" through a transparent finish, because wrapping the lamination and/or sandwich can leave visual glitches.

Paint allows the glassing to focus only on structural strength, not bothering with aesthetics.

SMiK has found a smart compromise: the fabric allows for aesthetics to hide the lamination, while not using chippable paint. Best of both worlds.