I can relate. My favorite pair of jeans have been with me for about 15 years now. They're shredded to hell and gone from the knees up in front (well, where the knees were, they blew out long ago). The inner thigh area is in no way damaged. The ass of these jeans is faded but immaculate.  I swear, I want to burn these jeans like an old flag when that last shred gives way. sob