Yeah, the fact that the whole focal point of this questioner being on the drop seat seams silly to me! If you are a technical rider, the last thing you want is a drop seat that ads one more place for moisture to seep in through and one more place to add bulk and weight! (Although I know a zipper doesnt add that much weight but it still ads some bulk with all that extra stitching). My suggestion would be to oust the drop seat and suspendars and provide an easy system to attach the coat to the pant so that you can create the powder suite affect but make it easy for women to detach their coat from their pants so that they can simply drop their "drawers" without having to take off the coat. That's how my gear works and I love it!!!!
I've resorted to snowboard gear for technical riding gear. I really think Klim has nice gear - constructed well, pretty durable,warm and dry! And seems like they have a great warranty system!
But I like my 686 snowboard gear because it is light weight and more agile - allowing me to really move around like I need too. As a smaller and shorter rider (like many women tend to be), I really need to move around on my sled to perform especially technical manevuers through the trees and other technical terrain. I'm only 125lbs and barely 5'-4" - I have to throw more weight around while using the same techniques as heavier / taller riders to accomplish the same move. Thus, I exert a lot more energy. I sweat a lot and run out of energy early if I dont eat and ride right but I can kick some P90X butt after a month into a heavy riding sledding season! I love how freely I can move around in my gear - that and staying dry is most important to me! Then I love all the features, then I love the selection in style and colors!
The 686 snowboard gear I've been wearing has either been waterproof or water resistant to a high degree and I purchase the systems that have a zip together / removable jacket and pant fleece system for insulation on those colder days. When it's warm, I just wear the shell of the pant and jacket. I really like many features that come standard with snowboard gear too - like all the pockets (some fleece lined for sunglasses for example, some just easy to get too for other items), the wrist gators, the power skirt that hooks to my pants to create a "powerder suit", the hood that really protects me in a snowstorm but cant feel it all with my helmet on, the great fit and all the awesome colors and patterns to choose from!
The only thing I've found my snowboard gear not holding up to so well is the shins and knees on my pants take a beeting from the sharp edges on my running boards. But my jacket has several pitch stains on it from tangoing with trees and its held up great so far! My 686 snowboard gear seams to last about 3 seasons which is perfect because that's about the time I start getting tired of the colors and style! LOL (yes, typical girl!)
it's important though to make sure you choose the highest waterproofing system in snowboard / ski gear - snowboard and ski gear manufactures offer a lot of different levels of waterproofing!
Oh, I also found that 686 gas a good warranty program! My pants were leaking at one particular seam and they took them back no questions asked and sent me out a new pair right away! Love the 686 company!
EDIT: I ordered my pants in the regular inseam version but they offered a tall too!
