Is it me or is the equipment you need gems for in rhombus square not that great?

[Hexeract]

I mean for the amount of grinding needed to get those gems, it's really not a huge upgrade. For instance, my old geta boots seem to be as good as anything in that shop. Lots of the weapons look practically lateral to what I have now. Is it really worth the effort, or will I find better stuff in late game?

[wervyn]

Once you're in Rhombus square, you ARE in the late game, and the gear in that shop represents the best stuff currently available. The Old Geta belong to that tier of equipment but are gotten through something a little more like a quest. None of it is really necessary, though in practical combat you'll find that the highest level stuff is actually really strong, to the point of being OP. It's mostly there for the sake of completionists or people who really want to make the best build of X type, and will generally make the current endgame content really easy.

On the other hand, based on what we're seeing of the planned arena challenges, high-level equipment might be necessary to score at platinum level. On the other, other hand, that's also a completely optional, completionist oriented goal.

[Herzog]

All equipment there has various buffs, so you choose and take those according to your play style.

[Hexeract]

Gah! I hate that I'm in late game already! I want this game to be twice as long!

[R.Heart]

I kinda think the boots are the weakest point of the best available gear. IMO you're better off getting the Unicorn Greaves for the extra dash. But yeah, if you're going to get it you should do so BEFORE going into the "secret" hideout in Sapphire Ridge, as that's where the toughest fight in the entire game is. And even then you can pretty much paste the floor with her.