I used to run gel pads on my road bikes. Expensive versus how much it helped. Even though they had adhesive to hold them to the bars, any tape I used would squish around on the gel and moved around. When I wrapped my tape as tight as possible, then the gel pad really didn't provide enough cushion, only some vibration damping. This is why I shifted to foam bar covering. Inexpensive, cushy 360 degrees around the bars and most bar tape grips really well to the closed cell outside.
Well... that's less than optimal. I didn't have this experience with the gel pads. What foam do you use? Currently I am fine without additional damping but still good to know options.
For the tape question:
If you can get tape from ciclovation, this is very comfy. And extremely long lasting. I was able to get 2 sets at Aliexpress (they were not cheap.. around 30$). I use one of them for my powertrainer bike... entering the third winter now. Looks still like new tape, although I unwrapped it one time for maintenance and wrapped it up again.
usually that's how to kill a tape.
I can't order anymore from the shop that used to have ciclovation. Sad... a lot of shops closed their shops for my country.