They are absolutely worth every penny, but if you can find a dealer get one from Camelbak's "military" line. The reservoir's themselves are made much stronger, the bite valves come with covers, the switch at the end is much easier to manipulate (especially with gloves) and the tubes have insulators on them. Overall, I just find them to be better built.
As for cleaning, I've never really had any problems. It takes about 10 minutes tops:
1. Fill reservoir with warm water (with vinegar mixed in, if it's been a little bit) and seal it,
2. Shake the reservoir for a bit to make sure it's getting everywhere,
3. Open the valve and squeeze some water solution out of the bite valve,
4. Empty reservoir & tube, detach tube,
5. Cloth or paper towel the inside of the reservoir, then spin the setached tubed to air dry (it's fun),
6. Hang dry reservoir & tube on a bent wire hanger.
It sounds much longer than it takes.
