From time to time I come across rules of thumb about how long to keep items even if they have little wear. I think the life span for tires and kernmantle climbing rope is five years. But my old nylon (tent stuff) is kept out if the sun in rubbermaid containers. Just like it would be on a store shelf. Maybe even better because there is no UV.
BUT - I've also had headphones where the foam ear pads disintegrated over time; just a crumble of pieces. The same happened to foam inserts in my plastic climbing boots. These items, especially the boot inserts, were never in direct sunlight.
So I have seen things dissolve over time; regardless of use/wear. Has anyone had that experience with tarps/tents/hammocks that are ... say over 5 years old? I have lots of clothes that are over 5 years old. Some things seem to handle time just fine.
I'd hate to pull a tarp or tent out for a non-hammocker to use and have it break down just because the material is old.
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