Thermals

Solomon_Broad

I'm looking to buy some thermal longjohns, but I don't know which sort to get. I've heard that those made from silk are good, and that a company called Uniqlo also sell good stuff. Are there tight fitting varieties? A best place to shop? If it's relevant, I'm male.

Any ideas?

Justamum

We bought my husband some M&S ones. They're the thinner ones which come in black or white (not the ridged ones and not the silk ones). He's very happy with them and he works outside a lot.

Linda32

You can buy thermals in M&S or BHS. I haven't seen silk ones in there though. I understand that silk will be warm although I've never worn it myself.


On line these always Damart and I suppose Amazon will probably sell thermals.


HTH

GreyQueen

You can get thermals fairly modestly or you can pay a king's ransom in some of the outdoorsy stores for a premium product with silk or the finest merino wool and high technical specifications. I guess it depends on your budget and your intentions; are you planning arctic or skiing trips or do you just want to be a bit warmer in the UK winter.

Obviously, the styling is different for the gents than the ladies, but they're not sold as a unisex product, so you just buy the mens' ones in the appropriate size.

Go Outdoors have a deal on Hi Gear baselayers (long johns and long or shortsleeved tops in black/ white/navy with 2 for £7, Hi Gear brand between 10th-16th Dec. Not linked to that company, just sayin' as they've sent me a catalogue. I will probably check them out and may well buy at that price.

Any outdoorsy store will offer a selection of "thermals" but they're usually referred to as "base layers".

Honeythief

I wouldn't be without my fine merino underlayers in winter. They are warm, light, soft, not itchy, not bulky, and don't get smelly the way polyester can do.

Eyeore

Hi I use thermals a lot as I prefer a few thin layers to one thick one. I used to buy M&S but now I can't recommend Uniqlo highly enough, I have several types of their tops in different colours so I can wear under v neck jumpers and they just look like thin t shirts! They keep you V warm indeed! Haven't tried the long johns tho.

smileygill

I personally recommend both Uniqlo Heattech and M&S Heatgen thermals. Both are deceptively warm considering they're so fine, and will fit under practically anything you'd want to wear (longjohns not so great with shorts ). They also wash well, dry quickly and feel very comfortable. Never had a problem with smelliness despite them being synthetic fibre, and we both live in them all winter long (OK, most of the year in my case).

Merino is wonderful but more expensive - and less tolerant of offhand laundry practices.

Old school acrylic thermals (much of the rest of the market) are more old-fashioned fibres and prone to everything you'd associate with synthetics including serious static. Anything viscose-based would be better and nicer on the skin but can stretch out of shape.

Oh, dear; I'm a bit of a thermal underwear expert. Never thought it'd come to this!

Justamum

M&S Heatgen, those are the ones we bought my DH. He really feels the cold and thinks they are great.

System

I buy them for my husband who works outside in the winter. Ive bought expensive, and cheap and they have all shrunk in the tumble dryer. The last lot I bought him were from A$da and they have lasted as long as the dearer ones.

Pitlanepiglet

I love silk thermals, they are so thin and lightweight that I don't feel like the Michelin man in them and because they are natural fibres they regulate heat nicely so I don't ever get overheated. I buy mine from Patra, they do a silk/cotton blend which is slightly more hardwearing than pure silk.

Hermia

I like M&S ones, but I have to say I was really impressed with the Primark thermal leggings I got last year. They were really cheap so I will see if they have any more this year. They really kept me warm wearing them under my work trousers last winter.