Is she against a carbon steel pan? Lighter in weight to a cast iron but has similar cooking/caring properties. I’ve no first hand experience with hex clad but it does come off as gimmicky to me. Although, I have heard decent things about them in terms of cooking, doubt they hold up over time though, just like all non stick pans. My Oxo non stick pan has lasted me longer than any other non stick before it. Bought it on the recommendation of Americas test kitchen. But tbh, that’s probably due to me preferring my all clad and carbon steel pans.