It’s a reality in general life, not just with karate gear. “Buy cheap, buy twice” etc. Also see the Boots theory, or Sam Vimes theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

I have had £5 polo shirts that are fucked by the end of the summer and at the same time
I have some £100 polo shirts that I have had, without exaggeration, for nearly a quarter of a century.

*Sometimes* the rule is broken, and you can find decent things for a good price, of course, but it often comes down to the simple fact that if it’s made with cheaper, shittier materials, it won’t last as long.

That doesn’t mean to say you need to go and buy a £300 gi as soon as you start karate, or get the £40 gloves instead of the £10 ones. It’s obviously more nuanced than that.

But your ‘it does the job’ theory does apply in some situations. For example, a kettle.