Actually, I found the opposite: Top-loaders with mechanical agitators tended to put a lot more stress on my clothing than the tumbling action of my front-loader. My jeans in particular lasted longer when washed in the FL than the TL. Pant legs and socks in particular have the opportunity to get wrapped around the base of the agitator under the plastic paddle, and get torn up. The front-loader has nothing for them to snag on.
I’m thinking it’s the low water level that is damaging the fabric. Even in the front loader my clothes get twisted and worn - yes, pant legs in particular but also sleeves.
My solution is to use the delicate setting and add a lot more water. A lot. It’s extra work but I want the clothes to smell clean. I use a little borax too and give them an extra rinse.
BTW, I know someone in clothing manufacturing who said they know the new low water machines destroy the fabric but there’s not a lot they can do. People will just buy more clothing.