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.
That always kills me. Don't use the equipment until you absolutely need it. Why not build forearms and core while working back?