I don't know everybody's experience & knowlage on here, so to state the obvious without intended offence-
Carbon poles will show signs of wear in no time, surface wear almost immediatley, BUT don't confuse normal, expected surface wear or this common phrase "showing signs of wear" with the pole actually wearing out beyond it's normal service life. Poles do look lovely when new but that is very short lived I'm afraid. I've had numerous carbon poles inc' facelift & gardiners & they all lose their gloss & give you black hands soon enough. They are a work tool afterall. Infact, when I first got my slx it was a bit stiff to extend so I took some fine sand paper to it, just where it was sticking a little & as stated earlier, that pole is still in daily service.
I still wear pockets even when wfp'ing for my phone, keys etc. I just keep a sill cloth in one to wipe the hose when needed.
The slx, for me was one of, if not the best investment I've made. That pole transformed my working day to- easier, faster, more productive & more enjoyable. Top piece of kit, I don't even carry a short pole now, the slx does evrything from ground to knocking on 30ft.