Agreed, back in the previous phase there was a item trait called low tech (or something like that) that makes the item easier to repair (although the description say that, it wasn't implemented).
So may be, tier 1 leather armors and jackets and most tier 1 weapons should have this trait. Also make those items have better condition when crafted. That should make the game a bit easier to new players.
And it was also the opposite trait (high tech), for combat armour, tesla? and most high tech weapon
I think that for low tier items having ~100-120 science/engineering, should be enough to craft them and repairing it at 90%, for medium tier ~150-160, and high tier ~190-200