What affect does wrong level gear have?

[MariyaShidou]

So, I'd like to make a note here... I've used a pair of bronze sollerets (optimal rank of 27), for ranks 1-20 of gladiator, and ranks 1-10 of marauder. I've compared it with several other feet equipment, and it has given the most defense, magic defense, and resilience verses anything else I've tried. On top of that, it has yet to get below 80% durability throughout all those ranks.

Anyone have a good explanation for this? I've compared stat differences of main hand equipment at different ranks, and those differences are like night and day. For example, a tin alembic (rank 17) gave the exact same stat increases as a brass alembic (rank 12) as an alchemist of rank 16.

EDIT: I forgot to take into account my play for today. So that's 1-21 ranks of gladiator, and the durability is down to 77%.

Because gears are of different type. A pair of leather shoes can not give as much defense as a pair of chain mail boots, correct? Gear penalty will usually make your gear stat down to the rank you are now or a little bit lower. For example:

If a pair of shoes r10 = 20 def, r20 = 30 def
If a pair of solleret r10 (IF) = 24 def, r20 = 36 def

Say you are wearing r20 solleret at r10, even after penalty your def will be 21 and it will still be better than a pair of shoes r10.

However, defense is NOT the only thing that matters. There are evasion, there are optimal class (A Mage wearing sollerets will always receive less def than wearing shoes for instant) and there are bonuses.

General rule in term of DEF is:
Cuirass > Metal Wargarb > Leather Wargarb > Cloth Wargarb > Leather Attire > Cloth Attire.

[RabidSquirrel]

Because gears are of different type. A pair of leather shoes can not give as much defense as a pair of chain mail boots, correct? Gear penalty will usually make your gear stat down to the rank you are now or a little bit lower. For example:

If a pair of shoes r10 = 20 def, r20 = 30 def
If a pair of solleret r10 (IF) = 24 def, r20 = 36 def

Say you are wearing r20 solleret at r10, even after penalty your def will be 21 and it will still be better than a pair of shoes r10.

However, defense is NOT the only thing that matters. There are evasion, there are optimal class (A Mage wearing sollerets will always receive less def than wearing shoes for instant) and there are bonuses.

Defense has served me the best so far as a gladiator. I did just take down 4 rank 28s at once as a rank 20 gladiator today for the leve Securing Horizon's Edge on a 2 or 3 star difficulty. I don't have much reference as to if that's good or not, but it was one hell of a fight.

But anyways, it still doesn't explain the lack of durabilty wear. I know stuff is suppose to wear down faster when it's much higher rank than you, but these sollerets seem to be doing pretty well still. Durabilities like my shield fall like a rock, though.