Bushwacking clothes “accessories”?

I can't speak to dyneema, but can swear by the tri-blend used in Patagonia "baggie shorts", "baggie long pants", "baggie pullover". Something like 60% nylon, 21% polyester, 19% cotton. It didn't feel like a synthetic, it dried pretty quick, and was damn tough. Not SUL by todays standards, but in the 80's it was my go-to long pants for sun or wind and cool temps. And I'd layer it over exp-wt polypro for almost all 3-season use. For bushwhacking, it was as light as I can imagine working as well and lasting forever (I'm still using all of mine and have been for 30 years). Here in Alaska, I always have those or similar along when off trail in case I get into the alders – between treeline and brushline is a real thrash. Although I last used them in Italy so I could spend the day in shorts, but slip them over my shorts to go into a church or chapel I happened upon.

How tough? Descending icy slopes on Pyramid Peak in Desolation Wilderness in Winter, another ski tech took a tumble. He was always fanatic about his edges – always touching them up till you could carve shavings off your thumbnail. He took a lot of weight on one leg, pressed into the other ski edge. It shaved the leg hairs off his calf through the baggie pants but the pants themselves were untouched.

But you may well be onto a great idea – sacrificial sleeves to supplement and protect your underlying clothing.

I wear arc'teryx rampart pants and have been very impressed with them. The fabric they use is a very light but dense weave nylon that has a stiffness to it (crinkly as opposed to a nice drape). I think the stiffness and dense weave are the most important characteristics for bushwhacking gear. Snags are what cause rips and tears and if you can avoid that with a fiber that's got some strength, you'll be fine.

My ramparts have survived the desert scrub for a few years now with virtually no sign of damage or pulled threads (amazing when cat claw and manzanita is scratching your skin through the fabric).

I also had an old pair of Mountain Dew pants that were a 60/40 nylon/cotton blend with a dense weave that never snagged or tore until the fabric finally wore too thin (these were as reasonably close to a daily wear short as possible for 15 years).

Your sleeves should work really well. You'll probably find the lack of coverage on your torso to be the biggest drawback. When I bushwhack I tend to lead with my arms up and my torso takes the brunt of scrub, but your technique may be different.

Thank you for the info David and Dustin. David, that Patagucci clothes sound pretty interesting–i'm guessing they probably don't sell that specific fabric or clothes anymore? I have a pair of pants that are 55% hemp and 45% polyester and they seem really durable, but they are heavy–would have to be wearing them all the time to justify bringing those pants–definitely don't want them in the pack.

Good point Dustin, one would have to protect the torso as well. I'm guessing a nylon shirt over the torso would help a lot plus extra arm protection.

I contacted a company today that sells spectra fabric, but apparently they only sell large rolls at a time and their only customers are the military so far, so no luck there. Otherwise, i could make a sort of half poncho vest out of spectra fabric to protect the torso.