There is no standard method for reading the expiration date on body armor. The main thing to look for is the date of manufacture, which is generally printed on the back of the carrier. The date of manufacture is the date that the body armor was made, not the date that it was purchased. Body armor has a shelf life of about five years. After five years, the material begins to degrade and will no longer provide the same level of protection.
Most manufacturers have their own expiration date labels. Some will print the expiration date in plain English, while others will use a code. Code expiration dates are usually four digits long. The first two digits represent the month and the last two digits represent the year. For example, a label with the code "1217" would expire in December of 2017.
If you can't find the expiration date, or if the date is in a code that you can't decipher, contact the manufacturer. They should be able to give you the information you need.
When in doubt, throw it out. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Can body armor be refurbished?
Body armor can be refurbished to a certain degree, but it is not possible to make it like new again. The process of refurbishing body armor involves cleaning it, repairing any damage, and then applying a new coating to the outside. This coating will protect the body armor from the elements and extend its life. While body armor can be refurbished, it is not advisable to do so more than necessary as it will eventually need to be replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is expired body armor good for?
What are the risks of wearing expired body armor? Body armor won’t instantly go bad on its expiration date, but expired vests aren’t rated to protect you with the same reliability and consistency as non-expired vests.
How do I determine the expiration date for a BodyArmor product?
The BodyArmor SuperDrink product expiration date is determined by the "YYDD" date format (YY = year, DD = day). All BodyArmor products have a "Julian Date" which is the common term for such a date. To determine the expiration date of your product, you will need to calculate the Julian Date from the package contents and compare it with our expiration date search tool.
What is the best by date for body armor sports drinks?
The best by date for body armor sports drinks is Oct. 27th 2020.
How do you read expiration dates on beauty products?
The numbers on expiration dates are often stamped on the bottom, sides, lid and/or neck of a beauty product.
What is the expiration date on body armor?
Body armor specifically has about 5 to 10 years of expiration period from the time it was made. You can always check the product description on the item or via the website of the product’s brand. Keep in mind that even though expired armors might still provide protection, it will not be as reliable as when it is not yet after its expiration date.
