With both the 4 and the 8 I’ve owned, the wheel pants were torn up and hunks of fiberglass were ripped out of the bottom from flying in and out of grass strips. In both cases it was before I purchased the aircraft. The previous owner of the 4 said it happened when he let his tire pressure get too low and the clearance between the wheel and pant narrowed.
I have always since removed them for gras strip operations on an unfamiliar field, but poling the crowd, it sounds like I may not have to. I do recommend it. Not sure how you would operate out of 5 inch grass without damage, but if you’ve done it maybe your wheel pants are stronger than mine?