haven't gone through the whole thread yet so sorry if it's been posted, but this will tell you everything you need to know:
best melee weapon is a blackened machete. unlikely to get stuck in a zombie when smashing its brains, blackened to prevent light reflection. lightweight and reliable.
for armor, a shark suit is best. (one of those suits that sharks can't bite through). it's skin tight which prevents any snagging, doesn't hinder movement and offers good protection.
obviously you'll want some sort of sniper rifle, smg for close range, and a rifle capable of burst fire. shotties aren't recommended due to the reload times. you want something that will conserve ammo, but is also capable of killing multiple targets in a short period of time.