Saw a guy the other day with a bag of gear. He did lat pulls with the hammer strength machine and used bar straps FOR 140 lbs!!!!!!!!!! (Had on a weight belt too.) I am an old skinny weak guy and can do deadlifts almost 2x my body weight with no straps or belt.
He was a fair sized dude. He probably has the grip strength of a 9 year old Girl Scout who's only strength training is handing over boxes of cookies.
Use gear when it is necessary, not because you own it.