Underwear neophyte needs guidance!

Hi Tom! just go to SierraTradingPost.com (usually referred to as STP on this forum) and check out the Terramar Sport Silk or Thermawool (merino) base layers. The prices are usually the best around for these items. The weight of the former is 6.7 oz for the top and bottom, the latter will be a couple oz more.

Merino, and somewhat for silk, does not retain stink after prolonged wearing and will wash out; most synthetics are infamous for always stinking once stunk up, even after repeated washings. Especially polypro, that's why it's hardly seen anymore. Expect to pay between $25 – $35 per each (top/bottom) depending on the fabric.

Happy trails!

go with the wool for sure–two light baselayers of wool — like smartwool or a good merino the smartwool nts hoodies coming out are nice, i like 2 liteweights tho

i like the hoodies because they have zipper and cover the head
also like the merino boxers and long johns with wool pants over them in winter and mukluks

camped in -35 in maine with that set up last winter and did great

The fly goes in the front. You're welcome!

Seriously though, another great wool tight/baselayer is the Ibex Woolies Tight (in a quick search, Altrec has the XL and XXL on sale for $44.04).

Most wool tights will probably fall around 6-7 ounces and be fairly compact. A wool baselayer combined with a light shell or hiking pant is pretty good while moving in cold weather and great for camp in a sleeping bag.

Edit: I also really like the Ibex Hooded Indie top.