For fallout 3 i use the DC Ranger arsenal , i can't remind which armor but it was one of the heavier armors and for fallout new vegas I use the NCR ranger veteran armor alongside ADAM to improve the textures , this is probably a very common thing like people using the brotherhood power armor in fallout 3.Also quick question does anyone know any mods that add the pads to the hands for the ranger vet ?

For base game New Vegas I like to use the Remnants power armor I just love the look of it.

And for modded any armor from the TGs armor collection.

I play Fallout 3 mostly and I use James vega Body form mass effect series by dragbody and bits and bobs form other games as additional atachmenst like Resident evil bullet proof vest, BO2 granades and, shells etc. you can see it on this image, just ignore the gunz just a little mod Im working on:

Spoiler:

My favourite armors are:

Vanilla:
- Gannon family Tesla armor

- Chinese stealth armor

- Elite riot gear

- NCR Patrol Armor


Mods:
-Crysis Nanosuite 2 by Crytek

If I had to choose from vanilla game, I would pick the Desert Ranger Combat armor. If I had to choose from mods, I would have either the MK117 prototype ODST armor, C-51 Razorback, or Legacy of X-13 armor mod.

Hard to choose but I love dragbodys armor packs! but if I have to choose my favourite its THE BADASS Master Cheif armor!

Favorate armour huh? Hmm... I'll just start off by saying that my favorite from the vanilla game is the Veteran Ranger armour. It doesn't have anything too fancy aside from its long duster, but it still makes you completely badass. Plus it makes you look like one of those old Western bounty hunters roaming the Wastes in search of the next mark- wearing a cowboy hat just completes the look, at least for me anyway.

As for mod armour I've got too many to remember but basically anything that's lore friendly (or just rugged) or just looks great on my character is a winner in my book.

Desert Ranger armor from Honest Hearts take the cake for me right now, but if
we are talking modded NV then vector armor.

With no mods added or anything it would have to be the T-45d Power Armor. With mods however it all depends on my character play through and how I'm playing.

Vanilla armor: Hands down Elite Ranger... I used to use the remnants armor for the longest time(at least 3 years) and i just got sick of it.

As for  mod armor: I don't know yet, I have an unrealistic but sort of plausible armor idea in my head which revolves around the Halo 4 armor from here and tweaking it to be more Fallout-desert looking..but anyway. So far I'm enjoying the look of the VaultTec Power Armor

Vanilla wise it's gotta be the Tesla Armor, if it's modded like always I could go for the XV power armor mod on Nexus. It's so beautiful and animated that you can't resist downloading it. You can already tell a lot of care was put into it.

For me my favorite vanilla armor is the Desert Ranger from HH. Modded... honestly I can't pick a favorite

My favorite is the Imperial armour from SWTOR that rex posted. It's pretty sweet.

My favourite is probably Dragoskin tactical armor, always have it installed on every play through!

Personally i like the armor from the Willhaven Quest mod

NCR Playthrough: TFH 1st recon ranger helmet + armor
Legion Playthrough: CNR -> Dead Sea armor + helmet

the Riot armor are sweet as well but i've gotten tired of always using it.

My favorite armor is probably the elite riot gear no doubt

If it came to the vanilla version, it would have to be the Elite Riot Gear since it's one of the best medium armors in the game. The design and the color scheme is what makes it a danger to the wasteland.

For me it's the bounty hunter duster with the desert ranger helmet. Just the right combination of awesome.

Slave scarf with almost anything.