This is the second DD jacket that I have owned. While the original one is still being used for the daily commute to work in during the Canberra winter it was getting a little tatty for travelling and outings to restaurants.
One benefit of Ground Effect gear is that it lasts nearly forever. This is only a problem when trying to recall when I purchased the original DD jacket for comparisons such as these. The old DD jacket would be at least five years old and I suspect I'll get another couple of years out of it before it is retired.
It's interesting to see how the DD jacket has evolved over time - the newer jacket is lighter being about 425 grams against the older version at 575 grams (as measured by a Salto analogue kitchen scale. The new design is a tighter fit which might be a problem if you need to wear a number of layers, however the warmth of the jacket means I am able to ride on a sub-zero Canberra morning with only a merino long sleeved shirt under the jacket (plus all the other gear of course - cycling longs, gloves, GE black hole and hubcap...)
The current design has lost the internal lining under the full length zips on the body but this doesn't seem to be a problem with regards to warmth. The inclusion of zips on the lower arms in the new design allow airflow into the arms when the temperature warms up a little. This provides a better balanced garment for temperature control compared to the older design where at times my arms were sweating while the body was still cool.
In summary - a great value for money jacket that delivers a comfortable winter ride year after year.
Charcoal / XL
Regular Fit