I've recently been converted to the sausage finger...not like that...
I most recently used a set of Kook K1000s and thought they were amazing, but recently bought a set of SS LEs (the blue sausage ones). I have to say, I was stunned as to how comfortable they were. Maybe not as flexible as the kooks but still pretty good. really a big fan now.
As for pads, I love the look of Newbery's kit (i have a set of Thruxtons) but would, in an ideal world, go for Salix every time. I guess that puts me in the traditional camp!