When you put on a piece of equipment that gives strength, it should raise your health as well. The problem with wearing a bear cloak is that you cant heal yourself fully because you cant wear gauze, and I doubt anyone wants to try and heal that much health with leaches.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like Kaka" -James Floyd, on growing up.
Actually, using leeches with str boosting armor is bad. If you do happen to heal your self completely, your health stays the same after you remove it, e.g. 45/45/30. This is bad, becuase one shouldn't have more HHP than your maximum.
"When I grow up, I want to be just like Kaka" -James Floyd, on growing up.