I think we need some background info to provide really good answers to your questions, but I’ll take a stab anyway :)
I currently use an OR Helium HD jacket, which I think works pretty well for what it is – Â a 2.5 layer WPB jacket. It will wet out eventually, but I’ve been in some pretty nasty all day on/off rain and it has kept me dry through that which is about all I ask from it. DWR seems reasonably durable. I prefer the pit zips and front pockets that the HD offers over the Helium II (with a weight penalty of course), as I feel it adds significant versatility. Look for this item on sale, I found mine for 50% off.
Insulating layer – how much insulation do you need? Like, do you want to be comfortable at 32F at rest in camp? Need to know this to point you in any meaningful direction. Montbell usually has pretty good prices on down apparel so that might be a good route to get a down jacket for a good price. I have the Alpine Light parka and find that with all my layers (baselayer + fleece under, rain shell over) I’m pretty comfy in camp down to the low 30’s/high 20’s. But this is totally in YMMV territory.
For poles, I’m a pretty die-hard Leki fan – the handles are just right for me. The BD poles you mention seem pretty popular for UL hikers, but the most popular ones by my observation are the Alpine Carbon Cork. For a more affordable and pretty well-liked option, Cascade Mountain Tech has pretty decent poles available through Costco and Walmart. For seriously UL poles – Gossamer Gear, Locus Gear, and Ruta Locura have good options.
IMO, if you find something that works for you at REI then great, but don’t overlook all the awesome cottage gear (that is often better and less expensive) just to spend your dividend. Save the dividend for fuel, food, etc.
