GEAR | Putting Heat Holders To The Test On A Frosty Morning Walk in Sandbach

December 29, 2016 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

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I simply adore the time between Christmas and New Year. I’m lucky enough to have the entire week off, which means free time and the opportunity to go for plenty of walks in the hope of burning off some excess Christmas calories. Today that meant I also got the chance to put some new Heat Holders thermals to the test.

What we tested

Mens Heat Holders thermal microfleece longjohns 0.61 Tog rating
Mens Heat Holders thermal socks 2.3 Tog rating
Ladies Heat Holders thermal leggings 0.39 Tog rating
Ladies Heat Holders thermal socks 2.3 Tog rating

Buy them here.

Ever since I first started snowboarding and taking holidays in very cold places, I’ve been a big fan of thermals. I almost always take thermals camping with me, and when out walking in winter, I always wear thermal leggings under my walking trousers. This morning as I was awake bright and early, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day by heading out for a walk.

We are lucky to live next to woodland, and the little town we live in is incredibly pretty with a great park and a long canal paths so there are plenty of places to walk right on our doorstep, so I put my thermals on, wrapped up and headed out.

I wouldn’t usually go for white thermals, simply because I prefer black and will often wear them as leggings on their own when knocking around the house, in the tent or at the ski chalet. These are different to the other Heat Holders leggings I have which are much thicker and more like the socks. The white ones are a very thin knit which makes them much less bulky. They fitted well under my skinny jeans and would be great to wear under my usual walking trousers or on the slopes under my snowboarding trousers.

Me wearing my Heat Holders leggings under my skinny jeans

Unlike some leggings, they sit on the waist, not below the waist, which helped to keep my lower back nice and warm. I am slightly above average height at 5.6″ and a size 14, but I have quite long legs and a big bum, so with tights and leggings I usually go larger, so I went for the L/XL and they were plenty long enough for me and fitted well.

I left at 8.30am and got home just after 10am. I wandered around the outskirts of town and round the town park, taking photos, visiting Pokestops and talking to small dogs (much to the bemusement of their owners).

The sky was bright and clear, but the sun was not yet high enough to melt the frost so I was able to capture some lovely shots despite only having my phone will me.

The early morning winter sunlight made for some lovely photographs

I was toasty and warm the whole time, and the leggings are so thin, I’d totally forgotten I had them on. The socks are so snuggly I’ve kept them on all day and already have some pink ones which I often wear around the house instead of slippers, and I’ve described them in the past as being like tiny little duvets for your feet. Do be aware though, that they are big and bulky, and whilst they fit inside my generously sized Karrimor snow boots and my Salomon walking boots, they don’t fit inside any of my Fly London or Rocket Dog fashion boots.

Sandbach town park earlier this morning

Verdict

Heat Holders provide a great value thermal range which has expanded greatly over the last couple of years, and no longer just consists of warm socks. New technical fabrics that reduce bulk make the ladies leggings great for everyday use in the winter, whilst the mens thermal bottoms (similar to my existing ladies Heat Holder leggings, not pictured) are super warm, and whilst they are thicker, they still fit under loser fitting jeans and my walking trousers.

The socks are so warm and snuggly my feet are never cold when I wear them, and they work particularly well when worn with snow boots and wellies. I should point out that as well as having purchased Heat Holders leggings, tights and socks, freezing at work one day, I recently bought a cheaper version of thermal leggings from a well-known bargain shop…and I hate them! They were only a pound or so cheaper but really don’t compare to Heat Holders, especially in terms of fit and comfort.

Thank you to Heat Holders who supplied the featured products for us to review.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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