I would get the kind that takes the heavy flow. Someone told me after I have a baby to get the pads used for incontinence because they're long and take a heavy flow. Didn't think about it with my first but I might consider it.
I used Kotex pads. The thick ones and I got Tucks to put on the pads to sooth the area that tore.
I've heard cheap ones. So I bought a few different "levels" in bulk from Sam's and plan on passing them on to my sister if I don't use them. I haven't used a pad in over 10 years, so I don't even remember what I liked...
I didn't care what it was after my son as long as it was really thick! The padding help me for some reason. I don't like wings as well because they irritate the thigh area but that just me.