Re: How long does armor last?
Usually I wouldn't jump in a thread like this, but I have something to add. I have an old set of police armor, PACA, and a set of interceptor armor. The police vest has to be from 99 or 2000 maybe, new old stock. The interceptor would have been from 03 or 04. I knew how to store them, keeping them flat in a cool dark place (and really hope that is where they stay). But I'd heard of it "wearing out" over time and they have warranties that rarely last over five years.
Then I ran across a guy on another site a year or two ago and he knew a LOT about armor, he's an industry insider it turned out. He said the kevlar doesn't have a known expiration date provided it is stored properly, but that some of the newer "wonder fibers" ie, not kevlar, do. Some of those only last a few years and it depends on what you have. Some of those fabrics that degrade are used in plates too, but apparently when laminated they don't degrade like they do in fabric form. That was interesting.
You want to look and find out what kind of fabric your vest is made from first, then note the lot or serial number on it and call the vest company and see if there were ever any recalls on it. They can also tell you what it is made of, but because of their warranties and lawyer shit, they won't tell you if it is any good or if it holds up still. Some companies won't want to talk to you at all. If that is the case, then just throw everything you have at the search engine and you'll find it that way.
But if it is kevlar and it has been stored properly, it should last for quite a while. It's a lot like nylon, and like nylon, it lasts a long time if stored well, but if left in the sun it becomes brittle. Store flat on the floor in the closet or under the bed.