Its here

LL Bean jacket arrived today

So, lets start by comparing the 2 pics side by side (or one on top of the other whatever, stupid formatting restrictions)

Some initial differences I have noticed from a 2 minute "play" at lunchtime:

1. Bellowed pockets aren't as high on the chest on the LLB as on the DWJ
2. Both bellowed pockets seems the same size/capacity
3. Zipped handwarmer pockets on the LLB - nice and necessary here isn sunny (ha ha!) Ireland
4. Guttering over the zip doesn't seem as well designed as the DWJ - it stops mid chest whereas on the DWJ it went all the way to the bottom
5. DWJ had a separate storm flap button on a lapel arrangement at the bottom of the zip - LLB has a one piece arrangement - it's a bit like vents on suit jackets (none, 1 or 2?) - they look different but hard to make a for or against argument on either option
6. Hood on LLB folds up into the collar very easily - DWJ was a constant attachment arrangement
7. Hood tightening cords on LLB captured in holders already - very neat and tidy
8. Hood on LLB give better all round vision - even when sat bare on head with no cap
9. LLB folds into one of its own pockets for storage - nice - handy for travel
10. No instructions on how to do this though! Aaargh! WTF! Typical - they go to the trouble of designing this feature into it but then they give you no instrcutions leading to the inevitable struggle to do it without crushing the hell out of it and/or busting a zip - whyinthehell can't they explain how to do this so its flat and neat like in the pics on their site - or supply it like that so you know???
11. Material is thinner and lighter than the DWJ - good/bad? good for summer, no problem for layering
12. Cuffs are the same but thinner material - more snug fit around wrists
13. Both have an internal hanging loop
14. LLB has 2 material loops for accessories. DWJ had 2 d-rings. have a little more faith strengthwise in d rings than material loops, but that may be just me. Anyway with Stonefly limpit d-rings this may be a moot point
15. Both have a d-ring at the back for net, mesh grip etc - super handy
16. LLB is longer - more like a standard rainjacket (as opposed to raincoat) than the DWJ which was definitely a "shorty" for wading
17. Neither have any internal pockets

So there you go - initially a few differences, and few similarities - nothing to complain about, nothing to write home about (except the handwarmer pockets - me like!). Coming from different makers to address a common cause (i.e. keeping dry when its raining - which is the acid test of a rainjacket IMHO), you'd expect them to have adifferences but they are similar enough that I'm happy so far - if the goretex in this is as good as the goretex in other products I have I'll be ecstatic (remember - its GUARANTEED to keep you dry)

Real world fishing test comparison next

Sunny here now (a)typically but I'm sure that will change

Clare at Easter. Will no doubt get a lashing then as I'm freezing my butt off trying to rip some lips either on a trout lake or chasing nasty toothy fish