I seem to go through hive ratchet straps on almost an annual basis, is this normal?

My hives have had them on almost permanently this year due to the wind. The straps simply degrade, presumably because of UV. These are cheap, ratchet straps, and I am wondering if it is a false economy, at our beekeepers meeting someone said theirs last five years!

I'm not sure if I'm using them a lot more, or is there some secret supply of long lasting straps?

David