not really style or beauty - thermals!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I need to buy some thermals online. Warm but can cope if I then get over hot as you can't really strip them off when you are out and about! Where would you buy them from?

I like very fine merino and silk as for me they control the temperatur well. I just cook in artificial fibre thermals. NZ Nature do some v good ones. TK Maxx also sometimes has them on line in the ski range this time of year.

Good starting point, thank you :)

Have you tried uniqlo?

Uniqlo Heat Tech.

Thought I'd replied! uniqlo made me really hot and sweaty when things got warmer the other day when I was working outside. Though the other millions of layers I was wearing might have been a contributory factor! It's just the leggings I need really.

My dad's a big fan of Patagonia thermal leggings in the winter. Thankfully he wears trousers over them!

Mind you, they are a good price!

Lands' End do thermals, both silk and man-made fibre. My Mum has just bought some for a trip to Antartica, but she hasn't tried them out yet so I can't comment on how warm they are.

Thats a trip and a half!
thanks :)

She reckons that there's no knowing how long she will be in good enough health to travel so she's going EVERYWHERE and making memories for when she's stuck at home.

I've just bought an Under Armour thermal top - it's fab, really does make a difference.

I use the thermal leggings and the fleece lined leggings (actually footless tights) from Primark.

Because, they are warm on their own and mega toasty with trousers, and here's the clever bit. If you wear a bum covering top/jumper you can whip your trousers off and still look socially acceptable.

Another vote for Patagonia here, well worth the money. I have some Capeline tops and leggings that are 20 years old and are still serviceable. I mostly use them for winter climbing or summer alpine climbing, they keep me warm while I'm standing about belaying but don't make me overheat once I'm moving again. They do sometimes have the tops in t k maxx or in the sales at climbing shops like Outside or Needle Sports.

Handy tip HoneyDragon! Movember - your Mum is one cool lady!

I have fair bit of browsing to do, but good to have some names to look up. I need them pretty soon so no chance to go visiting shops.

I highly recommend the brand Icebreaker, New Zealand Merino Wool. They are so much warmer, and yet breathable, than Uniqlo and similar high st equivalents. Pricey but they wash and wear well. My top tip is to actually go for the smallest mens size - they are a bit thicker and usually a bit longer which helps to keep the waist warm.

I like the heatgen m&s ones, but I haven't tried any of the above so can't really compare. They do them in a normal lightweight as well as heavier ones. I have the former and you could def whip off your jumper and get away with it as a long sleeved t-shirt (albeit a fairly clingy one!)

I also like the heatgen m&s ones. I don't normally wear synthetic fibres, but these are much thinner than cotton could be so ideal for layering without being bulky. I also wear them as a long sleeved top on their own. They last and wash well. I don't know how thin a merino base layer is in comparison.

I bought a pair of Capilene leggings from needlesports for £20 - half price :) thank you!

I second icebreaker. Amazing. I have bought heaps of them online from NZ store www.thewoolpress.com, quick delivery and better value. I love love love love them. They do all layers: base, mid and outer. I have a lovely wool coat from them too. I dream about having full icebreaker thermals for my kids but so far only the boy has inherited a hoody. He looks super cool in it.

And you'd be surprised, some of their stuff is quite stylish, in a simple way (not the leggings, ha!) - eg, I had a great wool travel day-night dress from them. That magical piece of clothing that always came out of a rucksack looking perfect.

I've had an Icebreaker Merino mid weight top with a half zip for about 25 years now and its still going strong. Fantastic buy even though I dithered for ages as I thought it was so expensive. No pong!

Nice one OYBK, I'm going over to the Lakes this weekend so I'll be packing mine (and the waterproofs-weather looks awful), in fact I might swing by Needlesports and have a poke around their sale-rail.

I have a selection -from Uniqlo, the M&S ones and then full silk and merino German ones.

Its a matter of choosing your type of thermal depending on the conditions.
I use the wool and silk if Im likely to warm up ( out walking, chopping logs etc) as its quite breathable.
The others for less active days like out shopping or in the house.

Another vote for Paragonia - I gave some that must be 20 years old. I also love Howies merino base layers. Pricey, but keeps you warm, doesn't overheat and doesn't smell. I use my tops year round to run in and have one that must be 10 years old.

I'm looking forward to trying them :) if they are comfy I may invest in more. Could do with some decent walking trousers!

slightly wary of buying abroad after just having been stung for £22 import duty plus handling fee on a $49 gift recently.