Anyone have a preference in brake pads? Mine seem to work decently, but If there is room for improvement, my ears are open.

Kool Stop salmon colored pads.

Kool Stop International - High Performance Bicycle Brake Pads Since 1977

^^ this, I have these universally on all rim brakes ^^

At the recommendation of folks on this site, I went to these pads also. The pads helped power and feel a good bit.

I'm a Ryde CSS rims + Koolstop CSS pads guy, but I wonder if anyone has thoughts on the VO pads for regular rims? They claim they are guaranteed squeal free. Better or worse than the usual Koolstop salmon?

VO Canti-style Brake Shoes w/ Squeal-Free Pads, Threaded Post - Pads & Shoes - Brakes & Parts - Components

^ You might be stretching that "guarantee" a little bit. They say "eliminates squealing on most bikes." That said, I may well get them now that I know about them. I Hate squealing brakes. VO seems to make pretty good products. Thanks for the link/knowledge of them.

from reading about Kool Stop salmon coloured pads on this forum, I tried them on my canti braked bike and found them to be a big improvement in braking power and being a softer compound, they must be easier on the rim (assuming you keep your rim and pads clean of gunge).

as with any pad type, proper setup is very important to get the most out of your pads/rim contact.
second that with keeping rims and pads clean, riding around with accumulated grit and embedded stuff in your pads all the time are going to make a real diff in their performance and life expectancy.

+1, Kool Stop Salmon!

I'll be the dissenting opinion (again!). I am not crazy about Kool Stop Salmon. The Kool Stop salmon may be the most powerful in wet conditions, but I found them a little grabby and more likely to require tweaking to avoid squealing. Of the Kool Stop products I actually like the black pads better.

I have also used Aztec pads quite a bit and been very satisfied with them. They are long lasting, powerful enough, not too grabby, available in the shops I have stopped at on tour, and not very inclined to squeal.