What are your recommendations for someone looking to purchase quality gear (boots, mag pouch, etc.)?

As a private I definitely went out and bought all the stupid high speed gear I could. A lot of it sits in duffels now but there a few items I still use. Really the most important thing you should get is a decent admin pouch, it saves a lot of time in the field having my map, compass, protracter, range cards, and everything else right there on the front of my kit. A dump pouch is also an amazing piece of gear that I have found makes reloading much quicker and is great for stocking up on snacks when there is hot chow in the field. Besides that PMags and better mag pouches for them are the only non issue kit I run but definitely aren't as essential as the first two items I recommended.

The Wish App, just check them out

Keep in mind most units have a sop on gear set up so any cool guy gear is at commanders discretion if you can use it. For me the onlything I have personally bought for field use is p mags since they are less prone to jamming but I also own my own ar 15 so there is practical use later for them.

Being that you're a Corporal, I'm going to assume that you've been in longer than 5 minutes, so I'm not going to give the same generic answers everyone else has given because at this point in your career and with you being an Infantryman, you already know how the issued Army gear is/feels and you know your unit's SOP. What I will say, is that the whole "gear guy" comments typically come from those that have not worn gear other than the things the Army gives you. Those are most of the time also the guys that have complained about being uncomfortable. Those "gear queers" out there are often times the most comfortable guys on the battlefield. But, I will agree with the various comments that suggest looking at what is a necessity as some of that bullshit is overly expensive. Too many times, officers and NCO's get stuck in that "this is what we've always done, so lets keep doing it this way" mind-set. That is not how you create a better, more effective, more intelligent military. Think outside the box.

I'm looking to spend about a 100$ a pay period for me and my wife

What does a part-time soldier do enough of that warrants spending their own money on high speed gear? I can understand potentially doing so if you are out using stuff all the time, but really how much advantage do you get from high speed mag pouches and the rest. Boots I get...I really appreciate my more expensive non-issued boots when I am on annual training, but I was recently shopping for Coyote Boots and decided to test the issue boots as well. In my opinion, there has been a great improvement in the quality of the issued boots and I'm not sure I would spend the extra $75-100 on Nike's or Rocky's or other brands of compliant boots.

CPL (Join to see) Aside from what you are issued, what do you need an why? Aftermarket Boots, are based on what feels best, not what looks best. Combat gear is situation dependent after you see what is already provided. I like Danner for boots ($$$$$$) and Black Hawk for personal add-ons ($$$$). This is really about needs and wants.

Ok, say I am out since I got medically retired and I don't get army toys to play anymore, where can I go to get quality stuff and not get dicked around?

Don't be a Ranger PX or that guy in your unit. See what you can afford or see what you need or just wants and prioritize from there.

When it comes to boots just go down to your clothing and sales and try them on to see if they are comfortable for the field but make sure you get ones with ankle support. Also keep your field boots (the comfortable ones) aside from your garrison (ceremony) boots. I usually use the issues ones for around the battalion and ceramonies and the field ones for ruck marches and field exercises. As for pouches you can still use the ones they issue but most units still issue ACU equipment. Personally I hate mixing ACU with multicam I think it looks unprofessional so do some research and see what you like and what is comfortable. Remember we will be wearing this camouflage for a while but get the ones with the built in mag pouches so you won't need to worry about that. Supply should have some pouches that are coyote brown you can put on there or you can purchase them. As for magazines I NEVER bought those high speed magazines and never had a problem. However I did come across some high speed ones during deployment that supply did get and got them issues (P-Mags) those are better but as long as you have army issues mags that are not worn out you will be good. If you don't like the grey just put camp tape over the part that shows under the magazine well or paint then if your unit allows it. Personally the only gear I EVER purchased in the last 10 years was a new rig once we switched over to Multi cam from OCP's and boots to be comfortable for ruck marches and field problems. Other than that don't waste your money.