Well i3 is kind of configurable:

http://dotshare.it/public/images/uploads/8435.png

http://dotshare.it/public/images/uploads/8284.png

http://dotshare.it/category/wms/i3/

>Does it even allow for systray icons?

Yes.

>extremely bare-bones status bar.

You can config everything in it, or use polybar.

>Sway looks somewhat better

Sway is a drop-in replacement.