Take a look at the record of the teams. Its about learning the sport, whether your bags are lined up or your socks match the next kids is a waste of time and money at this age. That BS is about luring new parents in to bite on what they sell. When the team loses to another team 10-1 and that other team has different helmets on or not quite matching socks tell me how that "look" feels then. But keep buying into at 9 years old, seems to be working. That's what the sports about? Wake up man
To each their own. Plenty of low priced options without all the bells and whistles. The trend does seem to be that the more established, successful teams have all the gear too. Haven't seen a rogue group tearing up any travel tourneys. Pretty sure most Tourneys were won by 91, Legacy, Igloo, Outlaws, etc.
