I tried M&S thermal range and it's a gamechanger to beat the chill

The temperatures are plummeting across the UK, and if Met Office forecasts are to be believed, we're about to get hit by an Arctic spell of wintry weather. It's most definitely time to pull on the thermals.

Over the past few years I've tried and tested a fair few different thermal clothing ranges, including budget choices from Tesco, Asda, Primark and B&M up to more luxe versions from sportswear brand Columbia. But none have been able to compare to the thermal might of Marks & Spencer in my opinion.

So with the threat of freezing temperatures heading our way over the weekend, I felt it was time to test out some of the newer additions to the thermal range at M&S to prepare for the cold snap.

READ MORE: Skechers launch huge online sale ahead of Black Friday

Since I last tested out M&S' thermals in 2022, there have been some new additions to their range - including thermal jeans and thermal joggers which I was excited to try. There is also a new polo neck thermal bodysuit and a smoother style of thermal sock that I was keen to try.

M&S grade their thermals on the amount of warmth they can deliver, with the three heat options of light, medium and maximum. The retailer uses what it bills as its "innovative Heatgen™ technology to effectively retain body heat" in the materials used in its thermals range.

Of all the thermals ranges I've tried over the years, the Heatgen™ fabrics have kept me the warmest - while also being a particularly comfortable material against the skin with its brushed inner material which is like a lighter style of fleece. I've long been a fan of the M&S Heatgen™ Maximum Thermal Leggings, which you can get in a range of colours, and from sizes 6 - 22, for £20.

But this year I decided to try the M&S Heatgen™ Maximum Thermal Joggers. These are slightly more expensive at £25, but as I discovered, have been well worth the money. For ever since I slipped these snuggly soft joggers on I have literally not wanted to take them off.

As they are a thicker material than the leggings, I feel they are more suitable for outdoor wear. But they are also perfect if you are sitting down for a lot of the day as well - as the waistband is particularly comfy.

While they have a cuffed bottom as you'd expect with a jogger, these are also a very stretchy fit so you don't feel like they're cutting off your circulation or ride up your leg as some jogging pants do in my experience.

I teamed them with the new style of Heatgen™ Maximum Thermal socks this year, which are £12 for a three pack. I found these are a much smoother and preferable style than the thicker ribbed ones I've previously tried from M&S.

They kept my feet toasty warm, and I liked that the ankle ribbing is also "super soft" as it is billed on the label so, again, you don't have to worry about it digging into your skin. As they are a thinner material, they also seamlessly slip into boots or more smarter shoes too.

Next I tried another new-to-me thermal experience - thermal jeans. M&S are well known for their size inclusive jeans range in short to long length and from sizes 6 - 22, so it's great to also have the option of a thermal jean.

These are the Ivy Thermal High-Waisted Skinny Jeans, and are available in three colours of black, dark indigo and medium indigo for £35. I was really impressed with these ones, I was a bit worried with them being skinny jeans that they wouldn't fit or be comfortable on my, ahem, womanly frame.

But they were so warm and comfy, with the waistband area being nice and relaxed and fitting true to size for me.

I teamed these with M&S' new Heatgen Light Thermal rollneck bodysuit which is £16. Now as this one is in the "light" category I wasn't sure I'd be keen at first, but this one is great for wearing under jeans like these or trousers, as it gives a great smooth finish.

The only slight problem with it is the material is so light that it does seem to be a tad see through, so you'd definitely want to be wearing this as a base layer, unless you like flashing your undies!

My preferred thermal top in the M&S Heatgen range is their classic Medium Thermal Round neck top which is £16 and comes in a really broad colour range now with green, red, pink and blue as well as the classic black. The style of this top makes it smart enough for workwear or you can wear as a base layer.

There's also a glittery version (pictured above) which is nice enough to wear as a going out top too.