For my purposes, the money spent on Energizer Lithiums is worth it. They last longer in storage, last longer in use, and do not leak. For emergencies, it's Engergizer Lithiums or high-quality 123A batteries for me. I like Eneloops but for emergency use I want to store things that require as little maintenance as possible.

If you're committed to alkalines, get high-quality batteries, store them in a cool dry place, and replace them at least annually.