I presume you've looked at regular kidney belts. If not then Google will show you as many as you'd want to see. Many bikers use them for lower back support but they do keep the area warm as a byproduct. You don't need a kind of Victorian whalebone ex Dakar version (you won't be able to bend over), just something padded, elastic and velcro fastened. Mine was a few pounds in Lidl many years ago and still works fine. I only ever feel the need to use it these days when the wind chill temp is heading south of -10C

Far be it for me to offer advice on surviving in -40C temps but when it comes to a choice of the "warmest material which is insulating, yet thin enough so I don't lose too much dexterity", might I suggest fat. As you're "thin but relatively tall" an extra few kilos gained through burgers, pies and a good Christmas might keep Jack Frost's freezy fingers at bay a little longer. There is some (rudimentary) scientific evidence for this - https://www.popsci.com/article/scien...er-thin-people but whether it would make much difference in practice I've no idea.

Thanks for the advice, I'll search for kidney belts.

As for gaining weight, that is precisely my plan, though it is not something I can do easily (going to a gym is out of the question). I will keep at it nonetheless!

Cheers

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

Are you walking or driving across Russia? My advice? Stay in the frickin truck!

If you like to camp, then since you've got a truck, bring Li-Iron batteries and plug them into heated gear when in your tent ... or be smart enough to bring a truck/Van you can sleep in.

It's so easy. Next day, charge them back up when on the move from truck elec. system. It's basic.

I spent 2 years in Antarctica with US Antarctic program. I did field party support on several occasions. Temps were only minus 20F. we used cots in the tent to stay UP off the ice.

We also got Crevasse rescue training from Brit Antarctic Survey guys. Luckily never needed to try it out.

If you plan to hike for days away from your truck ... we'll, you better leave that truck someplace SAFE ... or it will be stolen and stripped in 10 minutes.

So, stay in or near your truck ... and when you want a real adventure ... get on a bike and try it.

Did you read my original post? I was asking about clothing.

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.

I get that.

Of course you will ... please keep your fridge well stocked with good Beer to share with bike riders!

Hi EO,

I worked on a Gondola rescue team here in Canada for 10+ years, outside in all weathers and down to below -40 C and lived in Banff Alberta for 10 years before moving to the coast.

The best clothing to wear for driving a vehicle is Icebreaker Merino wool layers - a couple of thinner long sleeve layers and one a little thicker with a wool jumper/sweater over the top with a down jacket and lined pants with merino long johns underneath.

Most Canadian workers/drivers/riggers who have to work outside in the winter wear these Helly Hansen coveralls:

https://www.marks.com/en/helly-hanse...Bcolor%5D=NAVY

We also used these on the Gondola rescue team, they are awesome when you are working outside and are very hard wearing and durable, they do not snag or rip like a down jacket. They are fleece lined inside and to be honest were too warm to wear unless the temperature was below about -5 C. For me they are too warm to wear whilst driving with a heater on and a little awkward inside a vehicle. But if you have to change a tyre or fit/remove snow chains, work outside they are perfect.

Gloves and hats: Id just try a few different ones, they are kind of a personal thing, some windproof/waterproof gloves and some thinner inner liners for dexterity, make sure they are windproof - the wind is what makes life difficult in the colder temperatures and make sure you have a few spare pairs of gloves for when you take one off and leave it somewhere.
For a Balaclava, make sure it covers your nose and lips and comes high up on you face under your eyes, good ones will have a small opening for you to breath out of your nostrils and thinner material over your mouth. At -45 C ish with some windchill you can get frost nip on exposed skin in a few minutes. Also a Polar Buff is a good piece of kit - lots of motorcyclists have a 'Buff' or something similar:

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/bu...tml?colour=122

Outdoor research and Extremities make good quality gloves, balaclavas and hats IME. I would also take some clear or yellow tinted goggles in case you have to be out in the wind with snow blowing around.

If you need any more info let me know, hope that is helpful

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Great! This is exactly the response I was looking for and a big help in my preparation, thank you very much.

Those HH coveralls look good.. if space was no issue then I'd like to take a set along, however given that I already have my down outer layers, I can't quite justify them, even though they are much tougher in the event that I need to do some work on the car (hard to imagine being able to do much in -40 though!).

Now off to buy base layers, hat and gloves.

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.