Quote Originally Posted by Mychael View Post
You don't "forget how to battle," however, your hands would blister beyond use if you attacked with a sword/axe/spear days on end without gloves; using a bow, again, wthout gloves, isn't the best idea. Also, some gloves improve your grip on the weapon, further improving your accuracy and attack power. Using a heavier weapon, some sort of strap around your wrist would help transfer the weight from your hand itself to the wrist, allowing you to lift greater loads. Without shoes, you would be momentarily pained and unfocused by every rock, twig, bone chip, etc. that happens to be lying around. Belts or certain body garments would help relieve pressure on the back.

It's not all that unrealistic. However, you're right that the increases should be 10~40%, rather than 50%+.
Right. I agree with what you said. Properly made and fitted gear for your caliber of fighter (lol) would definitely help, but yeah I think the balance at the moment is about right really. Considering we can even better that properly made/well-fitted gear with materia. You are better with gear than you are without it indefinitely. I'm just saying you aren't completely useless without gear.