It just comes down to what you can spend. Some of us have no money so it makes sense to do an overland trip with cheap equipment as opposed to staying at home. Likewise, if you can afford a solid tent, warm sleeping bag, then why not go for it?
I've been buying stuff for an overland in S.America, and have basically tried to achieve a balance between buying decent gear where it matters and keeping in budget, i.e. not spending 80 quid on a Titanium fork, but spending enough on a tent which is going to have enough room, two doors, free-standing etc,.
For example, intending to camp most of the time, I bought a brand-new Primus Omnifuel, which was relatively pricey, but then what other stoves are there at can run any fuel and weight less than 500g? Likewise, spending a bit on waterproof sacks, a decent Ortlieb rackpack and proper gortex waterproofs will go a long way when your caught in a cloudburst.
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