When stored under the proper conditions, the maximum shelf life of ropes, slings, harnesses, and other textile gear ranges from 10 years (Petzl, BD) to 15 years (Beal, Rock Empire, Singing Rock, Edelrid), depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. Once that limit is reached, the gear must be retired and disposed of — or otherwise rendered unusable so that nobody can use it again as PPE against falls from height.
But does that mean every old piece of nylon, polyester, polyethylene, or aramid gear simply disintegrates into atoms after that date, even if it has never been used and has spent its entire life somewhere dark, cool, well ventilated, and protected from chemicals and moisture?
Of course not.
Synthetic fibres are inherently very stable and, under the conditions described above, can retain their properties for considerably longer than the period stated in the instructions. The problem is that manufacturers still do not have enough statistical data to extend the maximum shelf life.
After all, if you want to guarantee user safety, you need to take a statistically significant number of ropes and harnesses — of different constructions and materials — literally put them in a box for 20 years, then take them back out and test every single one of them.
As you can imagine, that is not exactly quick. Especially when manufacturing technologies keep changing in the meantime.
At least, that is how a representative of Singing Rock explained the situation to me back in 2020.
The same general trend can be seen in the numbers themselves: around the turn of the century, 3–5 years was commonly considered a normal shelf life; by the 2010s, 10 years had become common; and now we have made it all the way to 15 years.
There are, however, a few other things to consider:
• How many people can honestly guarantee that a piece of gear was stored correctly for 15 years or more?
• Some types of equipment — harnesses, for example — can become outdated even if they remain physically sound. As techniques, requirements, and safety standards evolve, there may simply no longer be much point in using them.
• Plus manufacturers, distributors, shops, and second-hand gear sellers have to make money somehow. 😅
P.S. If you are interested in the subject, I also recommend Black Diamond's article QC Lab: Old vs. New Gear Testing, and these longer articles of mine: