For some beginners, the "sweetness of low price" is their only option. There is plenty of low cost reasonable quality gear that will work fine, if not the lightest in weight: in-between "Walmart" gear and high end "UL" gear. A lot of beginners are young and strong and poor! Once they decide they really like backpacking and get a job (out of school) they can then star accumulating lighter gear.

I agree that you can have plenty of fun with crappy gear. My fishing gear is old and crappy and I still have lots of fun and it fits my needs. My fishing-guide friend assures me that if I wanted to fish all day, I would be much happier casting an $800 rod than my old kit-made fiberglass rod from the 1970's. But I do not do that - I just fish a few hours at the most at the end of hiking days. My arm may feel the difference but fish really do not know the difference.