Warriror armour differences

Hi all, I've been looking into the different types of Armour that will be available later in the game and i've discovered the next new set of armour that will become available to me is the Chain Mail Set.

I am currently using the Gladiator's set purchased in Lions Arch, but I don't much care for the look of it and I am looking forward to having armour that looks 'heavier' (i'm a tank and I want to look like one!)

My problem is that Chainmail seems to be exactly the same as the Gladiator armour purchased at the same location (according to the armour compendium on this site) except that Gladiator armour also gives bonuses to energy!

So why would anyone buy Chainmail? surely the cost in materials isn't a factor by this stage of the game, common materials are so plentiful.

Will I face a similar problem when I get to Platemail and Knights Armour?
will there be Gladiator armour there too that have the same properties PLUS an energy bonus?

All Warriors will be wearing Gladiator armour if that is the case!

Surely there has to be some in-game benefit to wearing this 'heavier' armour?

I am not an expert. But to my observation, there are basically three major types of armor.

There is armor that gives you a high armor class and significant extra protection against physical attacks. Chainmail and plate are examples.

There is armor that gives you pretty high armor class, a little extra protection against physical attacks, and some damage mitigation. Ascalon and Knight's are examples.

There is armor that gives you pretty high armor class, a little extra protection against physical attacks, and some extra energy. That would be gladiator's.

Then there are the specialized pieces that may give a bonus to something like a weapon or strength or what have you. Or longer knockdown.

You could make a rational decision to use any of these, depending on your professions, skills, playstyle and what you will be doing in them primarily. Of course, as with all things in MMOs, there are those who must believe that one or the other is the "best" lol.

OK, I'll give the specifics of the example I gave:
(taken from the armor compendium on this site)

At Henge of Denravi:

Chainmail Set
Armor: 65+20AL vs. physical
Pieces: Boots, Hauberk, Gauntlets, Leggings, Recruit's Cap
Cost: 32 Iron, 2000 Gold

Gladiator's Set
Armor: 65+20AL vs. physical
Energy: +8/0
Pieces: Boots, Hauberk, Gauntlets, Leggings, Helm
Cost: 64 Iron, 64 Tanned Hides, 2000 Gold

Comparing these two, they are identical (both give 65AL +20% vs physical) except that the Gladiator set also gives +8 energy!

The only difference in cost in the Gladiator set requires more materials (which cant possibly be an issue to those who have reached this city! I know I have tons of common materials stored away and I've only just reached Bloodstone Fen!)

So why would anyone buy the Chainmail? too look different to EVERY other warrior? maybe... but I really think that Gladiator armor shouldn't have the exact same armour level as other sets as a 'trade of' for the energy gain...

Can someone that has gotten through to the 'end' of the game as a warrior share their views on this please?

Endgame Platemail has 85 base armor and +10 physical, as opposed to Gladiator's 80 base armor and +20 physical

There is no reason to buy the base armour unless you're extremely strapped for materials. It's a relevant factor if you're saving relatively rare crafting materials for your max level armour and want to save on lower level armours. Endgame platemail is not analogous to chainmail – the counterpart to chainmail is ringmail, which I believe is only available from collectors. I don't think the max level armour crafters will even offer to make base stat armours for you. If the relevant materials aren't an issue for you, then you really have no reason not to go with the better armour set. With certain things like fur pre-patch, though, there would have been a significant incentive to, say, get the base armour set crafted in Ascalon City post-searing as opposed to the upgraded set.