I tried all, balanced, unbalanced and half-balanced
As far as I see it the worst part of the unbalanced for me was that in some conditions it just is not convenient to get the priming done (sometimes I just do not have enough piddle at the exact moment, sometimes the getting in the water is such a hassle in rough conditions that peeing gets forgotten etc). So you are so outta luck when it is so darn hard to pee later in the dive (might be little easier for guys but I can't crack the pressure at 60 ft after that squeeze).
Other thing is that if the bolt is gone and you don't get replacement out of wetnotes fast enough, you are SOL again. I have had cold river water come in the tubes once and I HAD the bolt - geesh that leg was numb fast.
I am not even so worried about infections (yet, since it has not happened) but it's a legitimate worry.
The piss-leg syndrome with balanced valve is easily fixed. Get smartproductions check valves instead of the cheap crap check valves that everyone uses AND rinse the valve after days use, so it does not gunk up. I don't even think the rinse is as important as moving away from the inferior product.
But actually for a guy, I would just do the 'half-balanced', ie leave the second check valve (on the end of the T) off, just have one on a straight tube. This way you are not directly exposed to 'dirty' water but you have one less weak point. No leaking into pants (other than when cath blows) but some cootie barrier - and if I was able to crack that pressure, I am sure guys can. Bolt loss will be less painful too.
