I'm using KMC chains as well. The X8.99 chain is about 10 bucks on Amazon today on Prime Day. Otherwise, the X8.99 (the full nickel one) runs about $18, and the X8.93 (outer plates nickel) are about $11 bucks. I have a .99 on my Trek Verve and a .93 on my Trek 750. My other bikes are using either a brown KMC (like a Z8 or Z52/72 or similar) or a silver/brown Sram PC830. I admit that I bought the X8 chains for their good looks (bright silver/nickel). I think the X8.93 is likely KMC's best value, at only 11 dollars or so.

I love 7- and 8-speed stuff!

I'm trying an experiment with my X8 chains. Full mineral spirits degrease and NO other lube. I ride an average of between 20 and 50 miles a week, so I'm not piling the miles on my bikes, and the chains obviously stay super clean this way. Even if I take them off to clean them once a month, that's only 200 miles tops between rounds and I've read that there is enough residual lubrication inside the chain from mineral spirits to keep them sufficiently lubricated...at least if you don't put thousands of miles on between cleanings.

My 750 has its original Interactive Glide cassette, and it's worn and in need of replacing. I don't stand up to pedal anyway, but I wouldn't try much of that on the 750 due to having its original cassette still. I'll see how my chain experiment goes over the next year or so. If I trash the cassette, well, it's probably too worn already anyway.