Whichever one you decide on getting, make sure that it has a relief zipper, and booties.

Jonathan (jblum) is selling his Kokatat drysuit. If you don't mind buying used. http://www.professorpaddle.com/fsbo/fsbo.asp?fsboid=107

Personally, I think Kokatat is the best option, if you are willing to spend the money, for a new one. They are a fantastic company, and they make gear that lasts longer than you. They are good about custom fitting also, you can have them tailor the drysuit so that its not too long, big, etc. Good stuff.

Palm is a close second, they make a darn good drysuit as well, but they arent Kokatat. IR's drysuit hasn't been out that long, and while I like IR, Palm is a much better choice. Buy IR layers, stick to Gore-Tex for the dry stuff.

Totally. You can actually get the front zip undone yourself! 

I would also recommend Kokatat.  I am now on my 2nd Kokatat drysuit.  My old one lasted me about 4 full-on seasons of over 80 days each.  I beat the crap out of that suit and generally didn't take good care of it.   From letting it wet and bunched up in my car all week after a weekend on the river to wearing through briar patches and devils club I gave that thing quite a life.  Every year I sent it to Kokatat and they pressure tested and spot pressed all pinhole leaks.  After my 4th year they told me I should get a new suit, that they found 130 places that needed a patch.   I asked them to patch it anyway and they said that will cost me more.  They charged me an extra $10....
I think the customer service alone makes Kokatat the better suit.  I've worn a Palm Stikine and liked it very much but I hear they are hard to come by and the customer service is tough being that Palm is a English company...
Get the relief zip and booties for sure and if you are in between sizes by the larger size, unless, you get the custom cuts...
Be sure to take good care of it!!  clean zippers, wash and hang dry it after use, rinse sand off at the river...
horner

Ok, and now for the cheap skate to comment...

Kokatat is the bees knees!

you can also find kokatat sometimes online for some good deals-- much as i love supporting the local dealers, i got mine for something like 40% off at outdoorplay.   relief zipper, booties, the whole nine yards

Great info everyone.  I'm still on the fence about which way to go but this really helps!

KOKATAT CUSTOM FIT IS THE WAY MAN!  GO TO SRK AND TRY ON WRIST  AND NECK SAMPLE GASKETS TO GET THE EXACT SIZE U NEED FOR YOUR BOD.  GO FOR THE GORETEX BOOTIES...NO QUSTIONS ABOUT IT...JUST DO IT!  U CAN EVEN CHOOSE A COLOR U WANT AND BE THE ONLY ONE ON THE RIVER WITH A SPECIFIC SUIT.  U CAN EVEN GET EXTRA POCKETS PUT ON THE LEGS .  I DID IT TOTALLY CUSTOM AND WISH I HAD DONE IT THAT WAY FROM THE BEGINNING INSTEAD OF SPENDING LOADS OF MONEY ON OTHER GEAR.  IF U DON'T GO AHEAD AND SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY TO GET GORTEX BOOTIES U WILL SPEND THE MONEY ON OTHER STUFF TO KEEP YOUR FEET WARM AND DRY INSTEAD.  I LIKE THE GORETEX BOOTIES IN THE WINTER BECAUSE EVERYTHING STAYS DRY AT THE FEET AND I CAN GO STRAIGHT FROM MY FLEESE SOCKS AND BUNNY SUIT  TO STREET CLOTHES WITH NO COLD WET FEET.  ALSO...AS MY SUIT IS CURRENTLY GETTING IT'S FIRST PATCH SESSION WITH KOKATAT........IT'S SUPER CHEAP TO GET THE HOLES PATCHED ANNUALLY, LIKE DURING AUGUST WHEN U DON'T NEED A DRY SUIT, AND THE TURN AROUND TIME IS QUICK ENOUGH TO GET IT BACK IN TIME TO HIT THE TIETON  IN SEPTEMBER.  U COULD SPEND LESS ON SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I GUARANTEE U THAT U WILL NEVER REGRET JUST GOING FOR THE FULL MEAL DEAL OF A KOKATAT  CUSTOM, WITH BOOTIES AND THE COLOR U WANT.    I DID IT AND IT SET ME BACK 1200 BONES BUT I'M SOOOOO GLAD I DID.  TALK TO BILL AT SRK, HE'S THE MAN!......................IF U WANT EXTRA POCKETS MAKE SURE U MENTION IT WHEN U PLACE YOUR ORDER.  IT COSTS A LITTLE EXTRA BUT IT'S WORTH IT.  ..........................SYDNEY

The Kokatat GMER - they call it the meridian  is the way to go if you want a "DRY" suit.  As the testimonials read, their Customer Service rocks the house.

And for all the thrifty folks out there.... Nikwax Tech Wash and TX-Direct is a great mid-season re-treatment for your suit in general and most importantly the high wear areas.

Because I live in the pacific northwest where dirt and water are the truths in life.

ONE MORE THING............I'M NOT A DUDE SO I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHICH ZIPPERS YOU WOULD PREFER TO HAVE PUT IN.  BUT I THINK YOU WOULD PROBABLY NEED ONE IN THE FRONT!  GET THE PROPER RELIEF ZIPPER PUT IN.  DON'T TRY AND SAVE $$$$ BY NOT GETTING ONE.  YOU'LL THRASH YOUR GASKETS EVERYTIME NATURE CALLS WHILE YOU'RE ON THE RIVER.  AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, U WILL HAVE TO KEEP THE BEER DRINKIN TO A MINIMUM........THIS IS THE LAST OF MY ADVICE.................HEART..........SYDNEY