So, playing live I want to trigger samples with foot pedals... I'm just doing some research on this and wondering if anyone recommends any brand or certain pedals that work well. Thanks.

Samples are best triggered by midi signaling. Most samplers except for some very old ones are typically capable of this. Depending on the material, you have to be conscious of your bpm when triggering, or get a device that will set a revised tempo if the sample is capable of different tempo (or time elasticity).

A midi trigger pedal is just a switch. Excepting from a functional one to one that don't work, there is no one better than another, that is, unless you have ergonomic preferences (like how it feels on your foot or whatever). Some samplers may require propreitary extension triggering devices, so make sure you don't have to buy "their brand" of trigger first. Usually the way it plugs in will determine that.