Benefits of gear level upgrades

Taxman

Do toons get a benefit from upgrading gear level over and above the stats on the piece of gear?

For example if I'm 5/6 on G8 and I equip the final piece of gear and hit upgrade, does my toon just get the stats from that piece of gear or does it gain other benefits?

I know that G6 to G7 gives your toon protection but are there other benefits?

Miepmorp

Every gear level upgrade after g6 gives more protection.
So there is a direct Benefit.

Besides the obvious Benefit that you cant Equip the gear oder the next stage before you hit upgrade

Taxman

Ok thanks. That's what I thought but just checking