Rain Tire Life - How Old Is Too Old

I have an old (10 years) set of Hoosier rain tires, used only a few times.  From experience, I know Hoosier slicks older than a 3 years can (and will) bubble and delaminate.  How old is too old for rain tires for a mid-packer.

In other words, Is an old set of Rains better than a newish set of slicks in mild rain/dampness.  Will the water keep the old rain tire cool enough and are they built differently than slicks? 

I *really* don't want to purchase a set of rains than may never be used and then just age out.  

Lastly - Considering that Toyo's last many heat cycles longer than Hoosiers and don't seem to 'age' while sitting like HoHo's, would their rain tires be a better bet for long term.

I had a set of Hoosier rains that I tried out a couple years ago at cota that were probably 5-6 years old.  I pulled off after a few laps they were so bad.  Would've been better on slicks.  Hopefully that answers part of your question.

FYI: the Hoosier H2O is non-compliant per the SCCA GCR. The Hoosier SM Wet is the current spec rain tire.

I found out the hard way when I was DQ'd from a 1st in class finish on a very wet VIR because I was on a set of 10 year old, rock hard, half tread depth H2Os. They actually had "OK" grip for what they were (and probably still better than a new Toyo RA1).

sounds like a good time to switch to the SMWs. 

Kinda what I thought, somewhere between 'not very good and bad'.  I am trying to decide whether to have a set as a spare, since I run the SM-T class in SE FL I would likely go with Toyo rains.  But, unfortunately, when we get rain we also get lightening so we usually don't run in the rain.

I have an old (10 years) set of Hoosier rain tires, used only a few times.  From experience, I know Hoosier slicks older than a 3 years can (and will) bubble and delaminate.  How old is too old for rain tires for a mid-packer.

 

In other words, Is an old set of Rains better than a newish set of slicks in mild rain/dampness.  Will the water keep the old rain tire cool enough and are they built differently than slicks? 

 

I *really* don't want to purchase a set of rains than may never be used and then just age out.  

 

Lastly - Considering that Toyo's last many heat cycles longer than Hoosiers and don't seem to 'age' while sitting like HoHo's, would their rain tires be a better bet for long term.

i would not chance 10 year old anything, likely dry rotted and a hazardous!

I'm with Jim but will say this...gave a good driver a 2011 set of RA1 in 2019 in a pinch...I think he was P3! His comment...surprisingly very drivable! I have a set of 2014 Hoosier H2O that are cracked like crazy...no sun but heat changes in my shed