I much prefer wool but I definitely understand not wanting to invest in it when your size is changing! You might search the thrift shops - I know lots of people here have found very nice merino in thrift shops.

The stink factor is kind of incredible. I eat very little dairy and use the crystal deodorant, so generally I don't get a lot of BO. But I've had experiences where I had wool on as a MIDDLE layer, and my polypro base layer stank, and my nylon windstopper jacket stank, but the wool I wore in between those two did not.

Since I switched to the crystal deodorant and started putting baking soda in my laundry, though, at least my plastic clothes don't retain odors.