They do it with every game that involves npc companions... stupid rules about what they can and cant equip, what they will and wont use. And every game EVERYONE complains about it. The first mods that are usually made are work arounds to the rules so people can play with their companions equipment. They actually pay developers to waste time creating a system that annoys and bothers every player. How hard is it to make it so they equip the best they have in their inventory? You dont like it? Take it out of their inventory!
I upgraded my pickpocket perk solely so I could steal unwanted things from my companions. I was so relieved when I finally was able to steal away that crappy bow from Aela. Low and behold it RESPAWNS in her inventory?! Who in their right mind spent the time to develop code that enabled respawning crappy equipment in companion characters?

Ya for real, this is extremely frustrating. Can't wait for this mod.

Probably so they have some default set equipment in case Bad Things^TM Happen

Can you give an example? I havent had a problem with this. If I give someone a better bow, they use that bow.

Yeah the whole gear fiasco with Companions annoys me to no end, even if you force gear removal with the Console, it all re-spawns anyway, that's just terrible. It's not the point of giving them better gear, but the point is give us the freedom to what we want with their gear, some people might just want them to wear cloths or something, I can see valid reasons for being unable to touch their default gear, but not when it re-spawns or is still unobtainable even if you give them better things, it's pointless and silly restriction.

This is why I'm glad I've a pc. A mod will fix this silliness.

Umm... I know this might be common sense, but have you tried to give your Follower an item that is actually better than what they have?

While they do occasionally bug out (after being disarmed in my experience), they most certainly do equip the best item you give them, even when it is an item they are not skilled in. The only case when they will not equip a better item is if you give them an improved version of their default gear - they will not equip Fine Steel Armour if they are wearing Steel Armour, for example.

That's not the point though, the companions in these games are for us to play with, why add in these restrictions on things like their default gear when it's a feature that only ever bothers people, it's the lack of freedom without any real justification.

Absolutely common sense. Trust me. Search online, there are dozens of people complaining about how companions refuse to use Deadric and Ebony weapons and continue to use basic equipment. Every variation has been tried.

WTF are you on about? It's so that they aren't running around naked and unarmed. The "restriction" is in your own mind. All you have to do is give them better gear than what they have.

Jenassa loves to use her level 1 hunting bow and refuses to use the exquisite ebony bow I gifted upon her, [censored]

Read the post... its a complaint how that system isnt working. And annoying lack of freedom.

Why CAN'T we have our Companions running around Naked and Unarmed? It's the principle, TES has always been a series about freedom and choices for the most part when it comes to characters, it's things like the current bugs where they won't equip certain BETTER gear over their own that just proves that it was a really unnecessary thing on Bethesda's behalf, more so when it's been a known and common complaint in previous games.

Companions don't level with you so if you pick up a low level companion they will be perpetually low level

There's really no point to using a companion at all, frankly

I've only ever had problems with bows. For some reason, Mjoll The Lioness will equip every better piece of gear I give her, but will not use the fire damage enchanted Daedric Bow I have given her. I cannot remove her base hunting bow, and she holds onto the daedric bow with no issues, but will never use it. She equips and uses her two handed axe, uses the Ebony arrows, but uses the hunting bow. Odd...

my companion lydia (i don't think that's correct spelling either lol) alway's puts on the armor i give her

I think that's a bug because they do level with you, their stats just fail to update, there's a simple work around on PC but mods will need to fix it properly, or hopefully Bethesda does.

When ARE PEOPLE GOING TO STOP USING !!!!!! AND ????? AND TALKING LIKE THIS!?!??!?!?!!??!?!?!?!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH CHIMPANZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THAT MONKEY NEWS EEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH

YES. They really need to work on it. As well as how npc followers fight, etc... I had to take away lydia's sword and give her a bow and some arrows because she kept jumping in front of me while I was slicing up some enemies... I I got sick of reloading my game so i could have her back. now i just leave her at home.

When the console players finally find the game is as not good, which will probably never happen as they like everything that's advertised as AAA(no matter if it really is or not).

Huh?

They equip better armor as long as if it's the type they like (light or heavy).

I've had no problems getting them to use what weapons I want, ever.

well said its better to keep em at home were they will continue living :intergalactic:

Seems like I look forward to mods more than I do the vanilla version anymore.

I wish my companions would use the super uber bow of awesomeness I give them instead of crappy wood bow.