I love top ten headgear - feel like I get hit twice as much wearing anything else because other headgear messes with my peripheral vision.

I am not a big person but even for my punches I don't like the little cheap bag mits you often see in cheap packages at general sports stores. I like to use at ten ounce gloves for bag work. Layered foam gloves being OK for bag work but moulded foam ones best for sparring (softer and safer for the same weight).

Good quality running shoes fitted at a store recommended by runners makes a big difference too. General sports outlets will often just find out what colours you like and sell you shoes that aren't good for you. Shoe stores which specialize in providing shoes for competitive runners are usually much better at getting you what you actually need without charging you the earth either.