Uniqlo HeatTech review: Thermal clothing you’ll actually want to wear

New this season, and thinner than regular HeatTech, there’s a barely there feel to this turtleneck, which we really liked. With a slinky look and ultra smoothness, it fits snuggly over the body but doesn’t feel tight, thanks to the lightweight material. Made from extra fine fibres, it feels ultra stretchy and supremely comfortable. Importantly, it helped us stay warm, with the high neck silhouette keeping us toasty.

We should note it’s ever so slightly sheer, so you may prefer to wear it under shirts and sweater vests when you need a little extra warmth. But it does make for the perfect layering piece.

Hailing from the extra warm range, this turtleneck is said to be one and a half times warmer than regular HeatTech. It feels a little thicker than the regular warmth scoop neck top we tried (?14.90, Uniqlo.com), but it’s still thin.

Layering it under a fleece, we found the turtleneck helped keep us warm during a drizzly walk through the park. Elevating the cosy factor, the sleeves were fairly long on us, so we could pull the cuffs past our wrists. We noticed the odour control feature fared well, too.

Reach for these on the bitterest winter days, as they’re part of the ultra warm range, which is touted as being two and a half times warmer than regular HeatTech.

Thicker than regular leggings, these have a soft, fluffy, brushed lining, and boast a nice stretch. However, they did crease around the crotch area, which may have been because they were slightly too big on us (we are 5ft 5in) and because they’re not as slinky as typical leggings.

While they don’t have a defined waistband or panelling – which can be flattering and add a bit of interest – they’re a simple pair of leggings that will keep your legs warm.

Worn with the HeatTech ultra warm high neck long-sleeved thermal top (?24.90, Uniqlo.com), we could really feel them doing their job, taking the edge off a frosty evening.

While we could feel these trousers keeping our legs warm, what appealed was the soft fleece lining, which made the design cosier. Arguably smart casual in style, they still tick the box for everyday wearability and practicality, with an elasticated waist and three zippered pockets (we found the front two were roomy enough to house our iPhone 13). Secured with a hidden zip and popper fastening, the trousers have a nice slim fit around the hips and fall into a smart tapered silhouette.

The soft pile lining paired with Uniqlo’s HeatTech fast made these our favourite loungewear. With two decent-sized pockets and a cinched-in and elasticated waist, the pair features ribbed hems at the ankle to prevent any heat from being lost.

The quality feels excellent, and they have a nice thickness. The slim-fit silhouette will appeal to those who don’t love overly baggy tracksuits. Most importantly, our legs felt cosy and warm while we pottered around the house.

While this scarf looks like an extension of a puffer jacket – padded and finished with crisp nylon on the outer side – it’s anything but big and bulky. The design is compact and fairly short, and it can be tucked into a coat and won’t whip around in the wind.

It folds into a neat little square for easy packing and, instead of tying it in a knot, it secures by being fed through itself, enabling it to lie flat. Covering our entire neck for optimum cosiness, it’s lined with soft grain cotton, which we found didn’t cause any itchiness and, crucially, made a real difference to how warm we felt while out in the cold.

No one enjoys having cold feet, so, a reliable cosy sock rotation is a must. Putting Uniqlo’s HeatTech to work is this pile set, offering warmth as well as odour control.

Made with a thick wool blend, and finished with ribbed hems and a spongy pile interior, the socks have a soft feel to them and aren’t itchy. Even better, they stopped our toes from getting cold on chilly evenings. A pair to consider if you find fleece-lined options too thick.