Although wear and tear is an inevitable result of using a gaming headset, some will stand up to the rigors of gaming better than others simply because they’re made from tougher stuff. Ideally, you’ll want a gaming headset that has a metal frame and headband for durability, since plastic ones break quite easily. Metal bands also look more premium, so it’s a win-win. Cushioning for the headband and earcups can be made from leather, velour, pleather, or foam. Leather and pleather (fake leather) look and feel luxurious. They also tend to be the most resistant to wear, but these materials aren’t very breathable and can cause sweaty ears during long gaming sessions. Foam is the opposite in that it’ll keep your ears cool, but disintegrate quicker. Sitting between the two, velour keeps your ears relatively cool but tends to be fairly resistant to wear and tear. That’s more of a general rule than an absolute. If you do prefer a material other than velour you can buy anti-sweat or abrasion-resistant covers for your headset’s earcups, which will help them last a little longer. If your headphones do succumb to wear and tear, some manufacturers offer the option of purchasing and swapping out damaged parts. Replacing your earcups can refresh your headset’s look and feel. But having a headset with replaceable cabling can actually save you from having to buy a whole new set if the cabling wears right through.