Differences Between Armor Sets?

Good day,
I'm fairly new to Guild Wars, and I've come across a discrepancy when it comes to choosing armor. I currently have a level 15 Ranger who just hit lion's Arch, and I noticed that crafter offers about 4 different sets.

What I'm unsure of, is if there is indeed any difference between them. I've heard, for example, that fur-lined gives cold resistance, but I don't see that anywhere on the actual item. from my perspective, it seems that they all have identical stats, and only differ in appearance. Do these bonuses start appearing later in the game, or are they just not mentioned? (Currently can craft up to AL 40.)

Thanks!

They only vary in appearance. You make them different from one another when you add runes and inscriptions.

I think (I hadn't started playing back then) that in the beginning, armors did have special bonuses, but that is no longer the case.

What False_Maria is saying is basically correct. All armor has the same stats, and can be upgraded with runes and insignias.
However, armor used to have bonuses that have since been replaced by insignias (which offer the same bonuses as the old armors, so you haven't lost out on anything). Fur-lined ranger armor did used to give +15 armor vs cold damage, but has since been replaced by the +15 cold armor insignia which you can put on any armor. Some older guides and forum posts might refer to the old armor system still.

It's kinda a nice system because everybody can wear different things without gimping yourself. All the max level characters in full decked out gear don't have to look exactly the same. Until you get closer to getting max armor and being able to choose the style that you like the best, for now I suggest just buying whatever is most affordable for you.

Here is a picture of all the ranger armor in the game by the way so you can get an idea of what stuff looks like before you buy it.
http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Ranger_armor

Armor sets used to have innate differences. That changed after the release of Nightfall, which introduced the inscription system.

The old armor setup often forced players to choose between having an appearance they enjoyed and the stats they needed. For example, if a ranger wanted extra energy, he had no choice but to get Druid's armor. The opposite was also true, of course.

Now we are free to pick aesthetics and functionality independently of each other, which is a far superior system imo.

Aaaaahhh... gotcha. Thank you. I asked many people in game, and they were clueless. Well, I suppose that just saved me blowing a lot on a whole new set. Thanks again!

EDIT: Then on that same note, are runes/insignias re-usable? Can I buy a set, plug them into my armor, and remove them for use in my next sets?

The Fur-lined use to include the Frostbound insignias built in. Since the insignia system was introduced however, its been removed, along with all such stats from all armor. If you want the bonus, you'll have to add the insignias yourself.

The different sets are all the same now.

Yes, but it can be tricky. You can use an Expert of Superior Salvage Kit to get runes and/or insignia off existing armor. Each time you use that salvage kit, there's a chance that you break what you're salvaging and, thus, any remaining upgrade attached to it. You can use a Perfect Salvage Kit, which will never break the item, to get the first upgrade.

When it comes time to decide, look at the Rune Trader NPC's price list. If you have a single piece of armor with an expensive rune and an expensive insignia, then it may be worth the cost of a perfect salvage kit to be able to remove both.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Perfect_salvage_kit

In addition to the above, a summary of salvage kits:

Normal - Salvages common materials, always breaks the item, and does not remove mods.
Expert - Is able to remove a mod of your choice, rare and common materials, and has a chance to not break your items (starts at 50%, changes with the treasure hunter and wisdom titles).
Superior - Same as expert but with more uses.
Perfect - Is able to remove a mod of your choice, rare and common materials, and will NOT break your item.

Note that salvaging for materials will ALWAYS break your item, regardless of the kit you use (even if it's perfect).

Good addition, but are you sure Perfect kits will work for materials? I always thought they wouldn't salvage material, only mods. It doesn't make sense, either - salvaging for rare or common material ALWAYS breaks the item; perfect kits NEVER break the item. So I don't see how a perfect kit could get material.

I think what he means is that Perfect kits can also be used to salvage rare materials (unlike normal salvage kits.) Salvaging for materials always breaks the item, for obvious reasons. They will, however, salvage mods without breaking the item.

One more thing to add: if you put runes on your heroes (if/when you get them), you can simply salvage the runes off the hero armour without breaking the item, regardless of what salvage kit you use.