If you're here, you're looking to see some photo examples of wear & tear....and you're in luck! Scroll down to see different images from actual customer warranty situations, with captions under each photo describing the defect.

As a reminder, wear & tear is exactly as it sounds: damage incurred during normal and intended use of the product that has rendered the garment unwearable or significantly hindered the expected performance of the garment.

Note: This does not mean the garment will look like new after many months of hard use. We expect our customers to wear our gear well and often, and this will understandably take a toll on any sewn garment. Some visible wear is expected.

^ This is an example of rip in the fabric on a TREWth Bib. This exact rip is the result of a large amount of friction applied to a small area of the fabric - and after speaking with the customer, it became clear that they had taken a pretty big fall onto their butt and slid on ice for a distance. Because it is the direct result of wearing the bibs, and not from a preexisting defect, this issue is considered wear & tear.

                                      

^ This is a prime example of wear & tear right here. This happened on the cuff of a pair of Chariot Bibs and the fabric you're seeing is the TechSteelⓇ cuffs we use to reinforce the kick patches on all of our pants and bibs. While it is very strong, it is not invincible - and the most common issues on these cuffs stem from ski or snowboard edges slicing through fabric or from someone wearing their bottoms baggy and walking on the cuffs. 

 

^ This example is similar to the one before it, as these TREWth Bibs were torn well away from the cuff but the tear extended over to the cuff stitching where it continued to damage the bibs. This is an example of wear & tear, despite stitching coming undone in the process.

^ This is the interior leg cuff of a Jefferson bib. Rips and slices to the interior gaiter and liner of bibs can occur when these softer fabrics are pulled aggressively over boot buckles, from being clipped into bindings, or getting caught on ski and snowboard edges. This is an example of wear and tear and a great application for DIY patches to reinforce any spots that may appear as needed. Ensuring a proper fit and taking an extra moment when pulling the cuff and gaiter over your boots can go a long way in mitigating this type of issue. 

 

^ What you're seeing here is abrasion at the edge of the pocket zipper on a Cosmic Classic. The jacket had relatively light use over a few seasons, however surface friction from snug straps, falls on hard pack, or other instances of heavy abrasion can damage the face fabric. Despite our gear being resilient, this sort of use and abuse can cause some sort of wearing on our fabrics - and in this case, the wearing has begun to show the beginnings of heavy abrasion. This is wear & tear, but luckily some DIY patching or quick trip into the shop makes it an easy fix!

 

^ A small hole in the Capow Bib leg. The customer was not sure how this came to be, but this would be classified as a wear & tear issue.

 

^ Above is an example of a rip or slice in the lining fabric of a Jefferson Jacket.  Our ORIGINALS 2L gear features a silky liner on the interior of all items within the collection. While blemishes from the factory are covered under warranty, a standalone rip in this liner after a couple seasons of use is considered wear and tear. 

 

The reality is that skiing and snowboarding present a very rugged environment for outerwear, especially the cuffs on pants and bibs, and there will always be some marking and damage over time - regardless of how strong the cuff material reinforcement is. *The best bet to maintaining your bottoms for the longest life is to wear them at the right length (don't wear super baggy or walk on them), be cognizant of hitting your feet together or clashing your ski edges on your boots, and rolling up your cuffs while hiking so that they don't get caught while touring, bootpacking, or using crampons.*

Thanks for tuning in! This is in no way a comprehensive list of wear & tear examples, but rather a collection of some of the most common issues we see. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at warranty@trewgear.com. We're always here to help!