[cutdcrap]

I would rather use the hand brake than do "padding" simply because with more passengers it would cause the engine to strain and you would have to rev really hard to pull it. Also, the amount of load the clutch would have to bear will be high, and may cause damage to it when used excessively.

Here is what I do: Apply the handbrake, then put the car in gear and rev a bit. When I feel a slight push indicating that the car would not slide backwards, I release the handbrake and carry on.

OT : I try and use the hand brake on my bike rather than revving it high on slopes as well.