As someone who hates the cold, venturing outdoors during the winter season isn’t exactly my idea of a good time (I’d honestly hibernate all winter long if I could!). Unfortunately, I live in New York City where I have to walk to get anywhere—and I frequently visit my family in Chicago during the blustery, Arctic-like winters there—so I’ve quickly had to become an expert at optimally dressing for warmth in frigid temperatures. My hack for surviving freezing cold winters? Uniqlo Heattech.
It turns out the secret to staying warm in cold weather isn’t just investing in the warmest winter coat—it’s donning the right thermal base layer underneath the outerwear. And Uniqlo’s Heattech is the ultimate pick when it comes to thermal clothing: It’s incredibly warm yet still thin, light, and comfortable. Since first discovering it years ago, I’ve religiously worn the Heattech shirt and Heattech leggings (both just $20 each!) underneath my sweaters and pants on a daily basis every winter season—and I swear it’s been an absolute lifesaver for keeping me warm on my walks, commutes, and plenty of other cold-weather outings.
If you’re wondering if my ultimate cold-weather hack is also for you, here’s everything to know about Uniqlo Heattech—including how it works and why I swear by it every winter.
Uniqlo HEATTECH Leggings
How does Uniqlo Heattech work?
Uniqlo’s Heattech utilizes an innovative thermal clothing technology to keep you warm. According to the brand, the micron-sized fibers in the Heattech material “capture the energy of water molecules emitted from the body,” and then “convert them into warmth while retaining heat.”
The Heattech line includes everything from shirts, turtlenecks, and sweaters to leggings, tights, and sweatpants—to even accessories like scarves, hats, gloves, and socks. There are also three different warmth levels of Heattech to choose from, with each one being recommended for a different range of temperatures:
The Heattech Cashmere Blend combines the soft, premium feel of cashmere for extra warmth, while the warmest option, the Ultra Warm, is designd for more extreme cold and is approximately 2.25 times warmer than the original, according to the brand.
What I like about Uniqlo Heattech
On cold winter days, I always make sure to wear my Uniqlo Heattech—the leggings underneath my pants, and the long-sleeve shirt underneath my tops. The difference in warmth is honestly amazing; that one extra layer truly keeps me warm without ever making me feel overheated. It’s helped me survive countless winter outings, including walks around the city streets of NYC and commutes to and from the office—not to mention, it was also a lifesaver when I was recently in Chicago for the holidays and had to brave the blustery winds and single-digit temperatures (Chicago winters are truly no joke!) for daily walks with the family dog.
Given how warm it is, it’s honestly surprising that the Heattech doesn’t feel really thick or bulky as you might expect it to. The material is actually super thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear and easy to slip in underneath a sweater and a pair of jeans without it looking conspicuous or bulky at all. In fact, I find the fabric so soft, light, and stretchy that it honestly feels like a second skin (I’ve even worn the shirt to sleep on cold nights because they’re so comfortable!). Plus, I’ve found that the material has washed and held up well over the years.
The leggings and shirt I own are the original or standard Heattech, which I find plenty warm enough for most occasions, but I appreciate that it comes in two other options if you’re looking for even more warmth. I imagine the Extra Warm Cashmere Blend and Ultra Warm Heattech options are great for more extreme cold and for winter sports activities like skiing or snowboarding!
Plenty of shopper are lifelong fans, too. “Nothing lives up to Heattech. Silky soft, lightweight, breathable, and durable,” one reviewer raved. “Every winter, I live in these because nothing else provides the dynamic warmth, it’s perfect indoors and outdoors without ever getting too hot. How does it do that?! And it stands up to our careless wash—everything-on-the-heavy-cycle laundry habits, year after year. Absolutely worth every penny.”
“[The Ultra Warm leggings] kept me so warm in cold weather without feeling bulky at all. The fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable, and it fits perfectly under any outfit,” another reviewer wrote. “I honestly forgot I was even wearing a thermal because it’s that lightweight, yet it does an amazing job at trapping heat…This is easily one of the most comfortable and effective winter basics I’ve owned.”
One last thing
Take it from someone who hates the cold: Uniqlo Heattech is an absolute must-have for your winter wardrobe. It’s truly been a game-changer for me for keeping warm on winter walks, commutes, and other cold-weather outings throughout the years—and the best part is that it’s affordable, too.
Ready to tackle the winter cold? Shop my favorite Uniqlo Heattech shirt and Heattech leggings now, or stock up on other products from the Heattech line below:
Uniqlo HEATTECH Fleece T-Shirt | Turtleneck
Uniqlo HEATTECH Ultra Warm T-Shirt
Uniqlo HEATTECH Ultra Warm Leggings
Uniqlo HEATTECH Ultra Warm High Neck T-Shirt
Uniqlo HEATTECH Cashmere Blend T-Shirt | Extra Warm
Uniqlo HEATTECH Cashmere Blend T-Shirt | Extra Warm | Turtleneck
Uniqlo HEATTECH Ribbed Beanie
Uniqlo HEATTECH Scarf
Uniqlo HEATTECH Lined Gloves | Faux Suede
Hannah Jeon is an Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention, where she covers expert-driven commerce content for all things health, beauty, and wellness. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Good Housekeeping, she earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not on the hunt for all the best products online, you can often find her trying out new food spots in New York City or clicking away behind a camera.
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