Best Brand For What Equipment

I dont think there is such thing as a best brand and believe me im not one of those guys who buys all the most expensive gear just to look good, but there is a motto that i have always stuck to because it has never proved me wrong, IF YOU BUY CHEAP YOU BUY TWICE!!! Sometimes you find that if you buy the cheap stuff it F*cks up and needs replacing 10 times as quick so you may aswell had bought those $200 winnning gloves to start with than 30 pairs of crap gloves. JUST WANT TO KNOW YOUR OPINION OF WHICH BRAND YOU THINK EXCELS IN WHICH AREA, AND EVERYONES PERSONAL PREFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO: 1.Gloves 2.Mitts 3.Footwear 4.Headguard 5.Apparel THOUGHT I'D PUT THIS UP TO SEE IF ALL THE BIG BRANDS WERE JUST A HYPE OR WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY DO MAKE AN EXTRA $100 WORTH OF DIFFERENCE. AND ALSO AS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AS WELL WHICH BRANDS TO STAY AWAY FROM IN TERMS OF QUALITY, OR FROM PAST EXPERIENCE.