I've helped ref some high-school powerlifting meets, and they do allow assistance clothing like squat suits, dead-lift suits, knee wraps, and bench shirts. But, I have never seen equipment used like the suits used by professional powerlifters. At most the suits and shirts in high-school would add anywhere between 20lbs-80lbs to any lift. The equipment that professionals use can add 100's of lbs to a lift. At that point I don't see it as assistance, and I think it's kinda bullshit. It's is definitely still extremely hard. But, I just don't see the point. Except for sponsorship etc... Having the world's heaviest bench press is great, but when you tell someone 350-450lbs of it is because of a custom tailored bench shirt it loses some of it's awesomeness. Fit 135lb skeleton with a bench shirt, and watch him bench 300. Ha now that would be impressive.

Suited powerlifting is cheating in my book.