What kind of chains does everyone use/recommend?

Yesterday, I was taking off from a stoplight and my SRAM chain (PC-99) exploded with no warning. I would have just fixed it, but when it separated, it wrapped itself around the rear cog and separated at another spot resulting in two chunks of chain.

Fortunately, I was only 500yds away from the nearest bikeshop. I bought a high-end shimano chain (one down from the dura-ace model) for replacement.

I had *maybe* 800-1000 miles on this drivetrain. I run brakeless so reliability is important.

Should I move from 9 speed stuff to 1/8"?