Pad are very important for long term, I am not an export on pad names, I do sale and install carpet for years and from what I know the rubber pad are most expensive and the consider as best, BUT I rarely sold this type of pad,

In regard to carpet, a good known name is Shaw Industries you could check their web site and see what available for your budget, the have lots of information to help you get in to the right direction , I highly recommend Shaw as I work with them for almost 20 years, and the stay behind their warranty and highest quality.

Many names you see in the local stores are probably owned by Shaw

( I am not part of Shaw employees) I am just Shaw dealer

Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Shaw Carpet

sorry to confuse the issue but there are basiclly only Shaw and Mohawk as major mills, and they both make everything from crap to the best so basing a buying decision on brand is seldom useful. Almost any nylon will be cf but that is a very minor factor. Twist and fiber construction (frieze types) are going to determine long term appearance retention. Lots just have to do with kind of style your house is and what type of carpet appeals to you. Do you have kids? lifestyle? etc.