'£7 thermal top from M&S kept me cosy in minus degrees on a recent snowy trip' | Devon Live

The Heatgen Maximum Thermal Fleece Top is made from super soft cosy fleece material that shopping writer Eve Rowlands found to be a godsend on a recent snowy trip to Europe

With snow covering many parts of the UK this week, we've all been reaching for items of clothing that'll keep us as cosy as possible. While jumpers, coats and scarves will do the trick, one thing that has saved me when the temperatures drop is a thermal top, and there's one I swear by for keeping warm from Marks and Spencer.

Although on its own it's certainly not enough, the Heatgen™ Maximum Thermal Fleece Top is a great base layer that works by providing 'superior insulation' on the coldest of days with its Heatgen™ technology. It saved me (who gets unbelievably cold at the hint of chilliness) whilst on a February trip to New York in 2025, in snow-covered Amsterdam at the start of January, where temperatures reached minus figures on some days, and throughout the winter in the UK.

One lovely feature about this top is that, differing from other thermal tops I have had in the past, it is made with a luxuriously soft fleece fabric that feels so nice on the skin and doesn't make its wearer overheat or feel clammy, from experience - as some fleeces can. It's also nicely fitted so would work on its own underneath a gilet when the weather gets a bit more mild - although I've worn it underneath a second long-sleeved top or jumper for optimum insulation.

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The top comes in six different neutral colours, although my personal favourite is the cream as it brightens up any wintery outfit. It's still available in sizes six to 22 and is lovely and stretchy so is super comfortable to wear.

While its price is normally £22, there's a way to get it for even less. New members who sign up to cashback website TopCashback—where shoppers get a percentage of retailers' commision via cashback after purchase—and are new customers of Marks and Spencer can essentially get it for £6.45 after thanks to the website's £15 sign-up bonus.

New members of TopCashback and existing customers of Marks and Spencer can also benefit from this sign-up bonus, but their cashback won't be quite as much bringing the cost to £6.82 after cashback. To take advantage of the deal sign up to a free TopCashback account here.

While I could wax lyrical about this particular thermal tee, as someone who feels the cold easily, there are a number of others on the market if this particular style doesn't fit the bill. For example, Uniqlo's thermals always receive high praise, with its HEATTECH Crew Neck T-Shirt, £14.90 (available in six colours) receiving a matching 4.8 star rating, with shoppers noting: "Very good quality. It's warm without being too heavy."

Elsewhere, Mountain Warehouse's Merino Womens Base Layer Top II is currently on sale for £34.99 down from £59.99 and comes in a range of colours from black to blue.

Hailed by another fan of the top, the Heatgen garment has been praised for being 'without a doubt the best thermal top I have ever bought', with one reviewer noting on the website: "As soon as I put this on, I felt as though I was being wrapped up in a lovely cosy warm blanket. The material is beautifully soft and warm to the touch. The neckline is perfect for me. It looks lovely, particularly if you don’t mind having a bit of the neckline show under a blouse or jumper."

They added: "In this particularly cold snap we are having at the moment (below freezing) I am so glad that I bought two of these tops. I am wearing them all of the time and feel lovely and warm." Although they noted: "Regarding the size, I would say they do run a bit on the small side, so maybe go for a size larger than normal." While others have also found this to be an issue, my regular size fitted me perfectly and didn't feel too snug at all.

Another happy M&S shopper added: "Previously purchased and always found quality and styling to be great. Could not do without this product in the winter months - stylish and warm exactly what is needed."

Raving about its toastiness, someone else shared: "Lovely and warm, soft comfortable fabric next to your skin. With a jumper over the top you can turn the heating down a little."

How to claim the TopCashback deal:

• Sign up as a new member at TopCashback for free via this link.
• Search for Marks and Spencer on the site, click through and buy the item normally. Get £15 cashback when you spend £15 or more.
• The cashback will be tracked to the TopCashback 'Earnings page' within seven days of purchase.