I applying guitar approx. 25 years, I tried lot of string gauges and vendors...Fender, Dean Markley, Gibson...
I prefer nickel string because of their sound, light feel and touch.It is very easy to bend up notes, also for hybrid picking, shredding or strumming.
9" gauge is too light
10" is quite huge for me
9,5" is perfect "middle" way.
Quality wise there are very durable, but it is quite shorter lifetime (quite quick wear) due to nickel, which his very soft.
I very recommend to use string conditioner to provide better performance and pro-long lifetime.