I have a bicycle with Promax V-brakes. They're certainly adequate and work well. For whatever reason, when I installed Shimano Deore brake levers I found on sale, they seem to brake better. Or, maybe it's just the way they feel, I don't know.

Anyway, if I wanted to go with Shimano Deore brakes it would only be because they look easier to adjust. I read the Shimano XT ones can squeal and some people say they can't adjust them to get rid of the squeal. And as for Kool Stop Salmon pads, I read if you don't ride your bike during the winter (that's understandable), they can get hard which makes them extremely slippery the first or couple of times you use them again. So, I think the dual compound Kool Stop pads are a good idea.

Interesting that someone here said Jagwire works well. Because just to be a materialistic oddballl, I bought some yellow Jagwire pads to replace the pads on Shimano Deore brakes that I bought just to have the yellow color on my bike. But, I read somewhere that the Shimano Deore pads work well but apparently wear out faster in mud. Of course, this was bought for a project that's not finished yet. lol, I still don't have all the parts yet to complete a touring bike, oh well...(but I just ordered a dynamo hub, hehe)

I want to add though that for a cheaper bike, I would just go with Shimano Altus (or whatever) brake levers and brakes. (If I remember correctly, the Shimano website listed the Altus/Acera/Alivio V-brakes in the same quality level. And for brake pads, well for winter biking I'd prefer Kool Stop dual compound pads and if not, the Jagwire.