Playing monk lets you ignore most of the loot in the game, which is a big reason to play these things.
Following post isn't specific about this game but about Pathfinder system. Still it applies to this game too.
There isn't a single class more dependent on gear than monks. For most of a campaign, you would want a standart set of items which boosts your stats. Headbands for mental stats, belts for physical stats, a cloak for saving throws, a weapon (or an amulet of mighty/agile fist) and and some AC items if you are a frontliner. Those fancy items which allows you do this fancy trick 3 times a day? They are nice to have but you need essentials first. Game expects you to have those stats boosts. Challenge ratings, AC, to hit and save values are all designed around it (how competently was this achieved is debatable).
Casters don't need gear except their casting stat modifier, because you can provide any other thing with your spells. Even in a crpg, despite lacking narrative power of spells, your gear dependency is minimal.
Fighter, Paladin (albeit situational), Rogue, Ranger and Slayer have strong numerical boost to their stuff. Fighters with weapon training especially with dueling gloves, Paladins with Divine Grace and Smite (they also enjoy some spells), Rangers with Favoured Enemy... You see where this is going. They need their stat items compared to full and half casters. They are much more stat dependend than full and half casters. But it is somewhat tamed. A STR (or DEX)/CON belt, a weapon a nice set of fullplate would be enough (in absence of casters, but casters are buffing you to compansate your lack of gear you are not really gear independent imho)
Then we have monks. If you want to ditch, STR dependency, you strictly need a specific amulet. You can't wear armour so can't dump dexterity hard. If you want to deal a lot of damage you need strength and size boosts (which you can get from potions/scrolls or your party casters). You want WIS or CHA for defenses. Sure they have small neat abilities, but they are overvalued by designers, it is why monks suck. They don't suck as hard as they did in 3.5. They get 2 face lifts in pathfinder but they are still meh at best. Dip for some good stuff because they are really frontloaded and jump onto another class asap.
This meme that Monks need no gear perpetuated for years and it is absolutely false. Do you want a gear independent class? Go play druid. Go play cleric. Pick an animal companion. See what is like to have gear dependency.
On my first unfair playthrough I used 2 Clerics of Erastil, 2 Druids and 2 Sylvan Sorc mercs. 6 pets, buffed from head to toe with these casters cleared any map without a single input besides engaging while casters themselves hanged out at map entrance in safety. My party didn't equip a single item until level 12. I didn't care about the loot. This is the gear independence.
