I've just got myself some of last years SS KP pads and sausage style gloves and I'm really really impressed with them, had a net the same day I bought them and the comfort and protection is as good as anything I've used plus I think they look great, a quality modern take on a traditional design. I've always gone quite understated/classy and its nice to have a bit of colour on there. (although not much admittedly!) My out going softs are 2011 Newbery SPS's which I was completely in love with, they really are the ones to beat when it comes to softs, (made by SS I'm guessing??) its only because the gloves have had it that I'm changing and I didn't just want to go and buy more Newbery gloves and keep using the pads, boring option!
In the past I've had the old 2008/9 tan leather M & H distinctions with the fielding pads inside them and they were a really lovely and unique set of softs I thought, I felt the bees knees going out to bat in them:) I like the look of the pads particularly but I felt the gloves weren't half as nice as the pads? anyone else agree? I think they've hit on something removing the tan leather for this year the T2's look good, not the T1's though! Yeurch!
I've also briefly had the Salix pod ones with the pod black gloves and they're up there in terms of quality but just didn't do it for me for some reason so I sold them. the hexagonal style pittard palms are a real USP, you get exceptional feel from them; the only other gloves I've seen that style of palm on are the SS gladiator (great feeling gloves but make you look like Robocop) so I'm guessing that Salix softs are made by SS as well probably!?