Does anyone on here use the gel pads that you can get for road bars? If so do you rate it or think that it is a waste of time fitting it?

I use the Specialized ones, and yes it’s worth the time and money on long rides. Also used on my cross bike and wouldn’t be without it.

I use the Specialzed ones on my CX too (they come in 2 thicknesses, 2.5mm and 4mm, got the 2.5 ones). Fantastic on the CX but I don’t bother with them on road.
Only issue worth considering is if you’ve got very small hands they do substantially increase the bar size and it can make it difficult reaching the brakes sometimes (not an issue for me but worth mentioning…)

I use the fi’zik ones that come with the bar tape on all my bikes. Works very well.

Specialized ones on the tourer. I reckon they knock off quite a bit of vibration (I have P2 forks).