Does unused string have a shelf life?

[chang10is]

I am considering buying a reel or two of tennis string, but it would take me many years to finish the entire reel because I would use only about 20 feet at a time in a hybrid job. If it's unused in a reel, does tennis string (either polyester, co-poly, or nylon) have a shelf life? How long would it take before its playing characteristics change--5 years, 10 years, or more? I'd like to save some money by buying an entire reel, but not if it wouldn't play as well years down the road before I finish using it.

 

[tennisfreak15347]

I'd think it'd take decades for the shelf life of strings diminish. I've heard of some people on these boards who used a 25-year old set of natural gut, and it still worked perfectly fine.

 

[Behtareen]

depends on the string. id figure most strings dont really have a shelf life. but if you have gut. it may get dry if you just leave it out of its package.

 

[jim e]

I have a couple reels of ashaway vantage ,and vantage 2 ,that is over 35 years old, and a friend told me to string his racquet with it.He liked it and asked for it again.I guess strings can last a long time.,

 

[william7gr]

Most strings will probably last a long time but natural gut may dry up.

 

[The_Question]

Hum...I have a pack of Pricne Placement from 15 years ago, wonder if it's still good...