Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll go to the new Icebreaker store downtown and try Icebreaker 200 long johns top and bottom as it's only a couple of dollars more than the 150 for an all purpose winter wicking layer and see how it works and compare to synthetics. Some reasons for my choice of wool are it doesn't stink as synthetics like polyester or polypropylene and it doesn't melt to the skin...

Frankie