Warm underlayers, is uniqlo best?

[Skimbleskanks]

All my thermals have worn out so I'm looking to replace them this autumn.

I hear a lot about uniqlo heattech - are they the best ones? Is it worth getting the extra warm or is normal ok? I would want scoop neck style and there isn't so much choice of colour in extra warm.

I have loads of M&S vouchers so if they do something similar I'd like to use those up.

Or the outdoor brands like north face, patagonia, or cheaper end lands end or decathlon?

Basically I don't even know what I'm looking for, merino or silk? I need something that can be washed without care though.

Sorry to post this in August 🌞 I'm a bit cold.

Still cold ❄️

Merino will keep you warmest.

I think heattech is fantastic. It's really thin (good to layer) and very warm. Yes the extra warm is a bit warmer, but the standard sort is plenty good enough.

I think it's better than Decathlon (a store I'm often recommending for other stuff), Lands End and Trespass. Not sure how it compares to the others you mention.

I find heattech itchy.

I personally prefer my M&S ones to the uniqlo heattech if that helps

Primark was good 10-12 years ago for thermal underwear.

I'm taking my M&S ones into a solid fourth winter.

I really like the uniqlo heat tech thermals.

I really dislike the Uniqlo ones. They felt really hot,sweaty and synthetic. I love the Brora ones - they last for years.

DP went to somewhere that was -40 last winter. I bought him the super duper Uniqlo heat tech and also some quite expensive Patra silk long johns and long sleeved tops.

He said both worked but Patra were much much easier to wear as they didn’t get sweaty when he went inside to warm rooms.

I luuuuuurve silk thermals. I had one once. The softest, lightest warmth imaginable. Unfortunately, though, they need frequent washing. So I'd need at least 3 sets if I was wearing them every day, and that would rely on me washing each set as soon as I took it off. And that's not going to happen. Especially not at £60+ per set.

Can't abide synthetic thermals - sweaty, itch nastiness.

So it's merino for me. With a thin cotton vest if I'm feeling particularly sensitive-skinned. But otherwise a brilliant investment.

I like the M&S version of heattech. They seem to wear well and come in a good variety of prints / plain colours.