I have not read through all the posts, so this might have been suggested.
But seing as the game has a realistic aproach to several things (like, having to craft the parts, and then assemble them to a piece of equipment), I find it strange that they let equipped gear take up slots in your inventory.
Like: If you're out hiking, and you're wearing a jacket, does it or does it not take up room in your backpack? Nope, indeed not.

Making equipped gear not taking up slots in the inventory would also make it easier for players to carry around extra gear, which also would increase the item exchange rate, as you then will take the effort to get gear for your other classes, rather than just for the main class, and using that gear for all classes.

So, the bottom line:
Don't let equipped gear take up slots in your inventory.