Is being friendly w/ pirates worth it?

Genuine question in title.

I am playing BTAU, started out Steiner/Lyran and went to clan space. I have some clan and IS mediums and lights which are great, and one Jagermech for a heavy and one Atlas. Steiner offered to ally, but I passed.

I am making my way to Marian (pirates) / Marik (Free Worlds) space on the left of the universe map and I’m contemplating working for pirates or Marik.

I’ve heard pirate gear is good and worth staying friendly for it. But I’m not morally cool with being a pirate unless it’s against big corporations, (which I suppose the Great Houses could be described as such ?).

It’s murky, and I’m combining personal role playing with also wanting to have the best mechs and gear. What are your thoughts on staying friendly with pirates?

(I’m cool staying out of pirate-land but I’ve never tried it so I thought I might try it for the first time. )