Hmm. I'm not falling as much as I was in 08, but I've still got mine and use it. I'm still using the one I made from roof flashing. It will not wear out.
I've been using one so long, that I feel neckid without it.
Andy
It'll wear out if you lay your belt and gear down on a rock and the Cat-skinner pushes the rock off the landing and down over a big slide and a bluff with a bunch of other rocks. They're just never quite the same after that.