I was a beginner starting in January 2021 after getting an Orvis Encounter outfit for Christmas in 2020. I received the ubiquitous 9' 5 wt 4-piece rod, reel, backing, 5 wt weight forward fly line, etc. It has worked fine for me over the past 16 months. Any problems I've encountered have been due to my beginner's skill level and not the rod/reel/line. It cost $170. I've caught rainbows up to 18" with it - more a matter of being in the right place at the right time than expertise on my part - and it easily handled those fish.
I had researched beginners outfits for a friend in late 2020, and the Orvis Encounter was included in that list. Other recommended options for beginners that received good reviews included: Redington Path Flyrod Kit ($166); LL Bean Quest or Quest II Flyrod Outfit ($149, $169); Echo Base Fly Rod Kit ($199); and Cabela's Prestige Fly Outfit ($180). Not sure if these are all still available or have been upgraded, but there were lots of options in that price range. I have been happy with the Orvis Encounter, and probably would have been happy with one of the others too.
I haven't kept up with current beginner's waders. My old "go to" waders were Hodgman wading pants, but after going through 2 pairs of those over the years, I got a pair of lower end Simms chest waders (neoprene foot). Then a pair of LL Bean wading pants with fabric foot for warmer weather wading.
Wading boots? My current boots are Orvis Clearwater wading boots ($169). I also looked at Orvis Ultralight and Simms Flyweight wading boots ($198 & $200 respectively) but decided I needed a bit more ankle support. No recommendation on boots, except to try them on with neoprene socks or waders with neoprene feet to be sure they'll fit and feel comfortable. And go one size up if planning on fishing in cold water.
But I think the best thing you can do for your friend is to give him a small fly box with 6-8 proven fish-catching flies, e.g., streamers, egg pattern, midges, etc. and 3 or 4 of each of those. The most difficult thing for me as a beginner was sorting out what fly to use: still is for that matter. But having a proven selection will not only reduce his anxiety while learning to use the fly rod but will allow him to focus on casting, reading the water, controlling drifts, etc. rather than on which of the 100 flies to use next.