Rarely has a clothing line inspired such passion from devotees, but wearers of Uniqlo’s HEATTECH range are nothing short of evangelical about the innovative thermal clothing range.
Including tops, trousers, socks and accessories for men, women and children, the range comes in three cosy categories to keep you feeling toasty, toastier and toastiest.
To help you understand the enthusiasm, we asked six HEATTECH aficionados to explain what they love about their thermals – and how they get the most out of their favourite winter warmers.
‘It helps me warm up in the morning,’ says Emily Garland, 42, from Hertfordshire
“I live on a narrowboat – and with space at a premium I wear my summer wardrobe year-round, with the addition of HEATTECH underneath when it’s chilly. The thinnest items are handy for autumn and spring, while the ultra warm range is perfect for the depths of winter. I put them on as soon as I get out of bed, keeping me toasty while I get the fire going.
“I love wearing colourful clothes, including dungarees and dresses, and it’s nice to be able to vary the look of an outfit with different tops. My current favourites are the pink and blue, although I have a whole rainbow in my wardrobe.”
Emily’s top tip: use HEATTECH to extend your summer wardrobe into autumn and even winter.
‘It’s perfect for office days,’ says Ed Ross, 43, from London
“I get into work on the London Underground, which can get really hot, but I still need to dress for the cold weather – and that’s where the HEATTECH comes in. It’s great when I need some warmth but want to pack light. I can pop a Uniqlo HEATTECH top in my bag and layer it under my shirt once I get to the office.
“It’s also great for sleeping in, to take the edge off the chill once autumn sets in. My oldest top is over a decade old, and it’s still kept its shape and style despite wash after wash.”
Ed’s top tip: a cool wash keeps HEATTECH in top condition.
‘The entire family wears HEATTECH,’ says Alex Boyle, 47, from West Yorkshire
“My favourite pieces are the long-sleeve tops and the trousers, which I wear to walk the dog, but my whole family loves it.
“When the weather turned in September, my dad, who’s 83, said: ‘I’ve got my heat things on – top and bottom!’ meaning his beloved thermals. He struggles with the cold, but it keeps him warm and saves on his heating bills too.
“My wife, Teresa, wears tops from the cashmere collection to work because the designs are bold and elegant, and no one would know they’re thermals.”
Alex’s top tip: wear HEATTECH trousers for dog walks, they’re easy to throw on and water repellent, too.
‘I like to travel light,’ says Ruth Brocklehurst, 51, from London
“I’m a huge fan of HEATTECH tops, which I wear as soon as the season changes, then almost every day until spring. I mainly wear the black scoop-neck tops, because they go with everything, but I have them in a range of colours.
“Because they’re so versatile and lightweight, they’re perfect for when I’m visiting family in Scotland. I particularly love the cashmere range – it’s so soft and comfy!”
Ruth’s top tip: pack HEATTECH for travel to cold climates, they take up little luggage space.
‘It gets our daughter out into the fresh air,’ says Maria Bello, 41, from Essex
“As a family, we’ve been wearing HEATTECH every winter for years. It’s soft, washes beautifully, and lasts season after season. It’s one of those small but essential investments that allows us to get on with things without worrying about the cold.
“We bought our four-year-old daughter’s first items when she started preschool. It’s great for getting her out in the fresh air without complaints about the cold, and it keeps her cosy even if her jacket isn’t zipped [parents know the struggle]. Plus, she can run, climb and play without anything getting in the way.”
Maria’s top tip: use HEATTECH to keep kids cosy while they clamber.
‘I love layering without bulking up,’ says Sophie Mutter, 52, from West Sussex
“I co-own a shop called Inspired on Worthing seafront. We keep the door open to welcome customers, so it gets pretty cold in autumn and winter, and I rely on HEATTECH to keep me warm. It’s just so easy to wear: I can layer up base pieces, tops and trousers for maximum warmth – and even then, it won’t feel too bulky.
“I like the fact that the range comes in lots of colours, which reflects our colourful shop. Although it’s very long-lasting, I tend to buy something new each season, because I just can’t resist.”
Sophie’s top tip: layer thinner items for maximum warmth without the bulk.
When Uniqlo launched its Heart of Lifewear initiative to mark the brand’s 40th anniversary in 2024, it donated more than one million items of HEATTECH thermal clothing to refugees, children, disaster victims, and other people in difficult situations around the world to make their lives a little more comfortable. Uniqlo has followed it up this year with the same commitment and by the end of 2025 will have donated an additional one million more items to vulnerable people globally, with around half of this assistance going to refugees returning to Syria.
Style it out – and stay cosy. Shop the Uniqlo HEATTECH collection
