I tested prototypes and a production model of the Hudson a while back (some comments
here). I like the durable neoprene wrists, the adjustable neck seal, and the internal suspenders (handy for pear-shaped people like me who have to go up a size to get belly room, but then wind up with a suit that's a bit long and droopy.)
Where the Kokatat Meridian suit still won out for me when I bought my most recent drysuit a couple of years back was on three points: the durable and noticeably more breathable Gore-Tex fabric, the excellent, paddling-specific cut and tailoring, and the superior metal-toothed, diving-grade zippers. A buddy who just got a warranty replacement Meridian received one with plastic (nylon-toothed) dryzips (similar to the zips on the Hudson and on Kokatat's entry-level HYDRUS 3.0 fabric suits).
Looking at Kokotat's current web description of the Gore-Tex
Meridian, there's no mention of metal toothed zips, something I'd expect they'd be boasting about if it was still spec'd. I'm disappointed - I understand the need to control costs, but the problem with nylon zips is if you get a twig or piece of grit caught in the wrong place, it can deform the teeth and render the zip leaky (and I have no idea how to field-repair that). Kokatat has always had superb after-sales service, so they'd probably replace it for you once you got home, but that won't do you much good midway through a multi-day tour. Also, I'm not seeing any price reduction in the Gore-Tex Meridian. Unfortunately for Kokatat, they're surrendering a clear lead, and making the Hudson more of a contender worthy of consideration when the time comes to replace my current Meridian. Unless they'll be offering metal-toothed dryzips as an optional upgrade, in which case it might be worth treating myself to that and a custom-sized suit...