I do the fell and hill thing too, Will, have done for many years. I never, ever wear jeans for walking, not even just walking the dog, I have proper walking trousers designed for the purpose - much more comfortable, don't wick water up and, as you rightly point out, don't draw body heat away in the wet. But, when I'm not out walking, jeans are de rigeur for me!

It's a case of wearing the right gear for the thing you're doing, IMO!

Tunesmith - clothes are functional AFAIC, 'boring' or otherwise doesn't come into the equation. There are far better things to get excited or bored about. IMHO, YMMV.