I doubt the op still cares, considering the original conversation was from 2017. But, there is a difference.
I hunted with Walmart and sportsman's warehouse brand clothing most of my life, in the steep western terrain in oregon chasing blacktail and elk. I was always a sweaty, too hot or too cold mess halfway through the day.
I finally broke down and started buying one piece of Sitka gear each year, and have regretted none of my purchases. Lighter, much better temperature regulation, better water proofing, and items are often small enough I can carry my puffy jacket or spare pants in my pack with minimal space wasted.
There are some details about the pants I have that I would change, but I would never trade them back for what I used to wear.
A person can sometimes spend less money for similar gear if they look at mountaineering clothing, which is often identical save the color. But dropping into generic brand gear is definitely a decrease in performance.