‘Heat Holders’ review

RRP: £ various

Reviewer: Mau

When I was offered the opportunity of trying out a couple of products from the ‘Heat Holders’ range, I jumped at the opportunity – especially at this time of year when the weather is starting to change for the worse.

For those who don’t know, the ‘Heat Holders’ range is vast and consists of thermal blankets, jumpers, thermal underwear, neck warmers, base layers, leggings, hats, gloves, socks and tights – so there’s something to suit everyone. I had two items from this range – a neck warmer and a pair of thermal socks; they are available from a wide range of retail outlets.

THE THERMAL SOCKS (from £5 upwards) are made from a heat weaved material that traps warm air close to your skin, keeping you warmer for longer. They come in a variety of designs to suit both men and women – I had the original style, on which the manufacturers claim a TOG rating (Thermal Overall Grade) of 2.34 – not bad when you consider that basic cotton sock only scores .33 on that same TOG scale. They’re ideal for riding a bike and although they offer a higher degree of thermal protection, they aren’t overly thick and could easily be worn inside my riding boots without causing any discomfort – they did the job well too, keeping my feet warm with minimal heat loss.

THE NECK WARMER (circa £10) is manufactured from a 2.6 TOG moisture wicking breathable yarn and is lined with ‘Heatweaver’ insulation (a fur-like lining which maximises the amount of warm air held against your skin); it can be used in various ways and it offers a great deal of insulation from the cold weather. Fitting under the lip of my helmet, the contoured shape certainly helped to keep the wind off my neck whilst riding, and once stationary, it acted as a weather barrier in keeping the wind and cold at bay.

Info: www.sockshop.co.uk or other well-known retail outlets