Is there a life span for kevlar / spectra shield vests?   Lookin at a vest from point blank, but it is not recent manufacture.    Which fiber was is that was failing in the vests?

Thanks
Cosmos

There's a huge volume of info. on tacticalforums.com about premature degradation of vests containing Zylon and concerns about Spectra as well. Short version, Zylon real bad, Spectra bad, Kevlar good.
5 years is the standard warranty period for Kevlar vests and most PD's replace it on that cycle. Having said that, I've shot a few 10, 15, and 20 year old Kevlar vests that retained their rated ballistic capabilities.

Quoted: 5 years is the standard warranty period for Kevlar vests and most PD's replace it on that cycle. Having said that, I've shot a few 10, 15, and 20 year old Kevlar vests that retained their rated ballistic capabilities.

Conspiracy to keep the $$$ rolling in?

Could be, but after 5 years of daily wear they've definitely gotten pretty funky even after rotating clean carriers regularly!

The one I am looking has not been worn more than a few times, but has a manufacture date of 95.