Matt - nothing "off" about the Fourth Element suit (and I love my Fourth Element undergarments). I've got a TLS 350 that was made for me (even though it's a standard size), works just fine, fits well and is great to dive in, so no reason to swap it out (dry suits aren't exactly cheap!). I thought the Fourth Element drysuits were equally good, too. DUI is local (so service if ever needed is a breeze), builds great drysuits, has terrific customer service and does a lot to support the local dive community. Zipseals work well, and fortunately I've never had one leak or tear. It's no different from favorite brands of regulators, masks, fins or BCs / backplates and wings - lots of great choices, but for whatever reason, everyone seems to have their personal favorites. In the end, the whole idea is to find a drysuit that fits you specifically the best and keeps you warm, dry and comfortable while diving, and gives many years of good service. I started diving in a DUI suit, so that's what I knew best when I bought a drysuit, and everyone around me dives DUI suits for the most part. I'm also somewhat average build, so lots of options fit me. For someone taller, some brands might fit a lot better than others, and it's a lot better to find out during demo days than after writing a big check. If you're looking at a custom suit, make sure it's easy to get adjusted if it doesn't fit quite right when you get it (hopefully on the LDS's or manufacturer's dime)
Once you narrow down your choices, I suggest calling the manufacturers directly to go over what you're thinking and get their feedback and suggestions. I talked to customer service at DUI a few times before I finalized what I wanted and ordered - again one of the good things about having so many good choices
Keep in mind, any drysuit can be modified by adding pockets, changing seals, changing seal systems, etc, to suit your taste. It just takes time and money, but fortunately not outside of reasonable costs. I don't even have pockets, kneepads or replaceable neck seals on mine yet; after several years I'm still trying to figure out what I want
