Upkeep is not a problem if you have half a brain. Sadly, most of you do not. I see people usually in 2 sets of gear. Plate crutching noob with 2-3 expensive weapons, or naked peasant with a wooden sword.
Dear god people, there is a point between those two stages. Mail armor and a single high tier weapon. I seriously don't know how you manage to lose money if you are not cav(high tier weapon, rouncey, mail armor and you still bank btw). I make over 150-250k each gen wearing mail armor, scale to be exact, for a 1-2x multi and then a little heavier armor, kuyak/banded, for a 3-5x. My equip costs in mail were about 26k, in heavier armor it was 34k. Reason? I had throwing along with my shield and weapon. If not it would be 4-8k lower depending on how much throwing I brought.
(Am polearms now so I don't even bring throwing. Equip cost at 20k and I still contribute effectively to my team. Made over 40k this past week just leveling between levels 25 and 27)