You can use a plumber's wrench to undo quick links. Any of the big brands, including KMC and Wipperman make good chains. SRAM chains have awful sticky grease from the factory, that being said I have a pile of them because they were $13 for 10-speed chains. Higher quality chains usually just are lighter and have things like hollow pins that do nothing to increase durability, although some coatings on higher end chains might add a few miles worth of wear.