Riley had this open x-pen. He never tried to climb out. I also only used the door to take him in and out... I had his bedding on one side and his litter box with peepee pads on The other side. He would insist in not using the pad but would whine for md to let him out and use the pad I had in the other room. In THD middle of the night I would lean over let him out... He would go use the pad them come running back in. He was only in it for about 8 - 9 months. Then had full run of the place...
ProSelect Suite Retreat Pet Pens | PetEdge.com
The other thing I did was buy one of the plastic water bottle things from Petco that secure to one of the walls... That way he had as much water as he wanted without stepping in it or it getting dirty.
It was Something close to this:
Pet Supplies - Pet Products - Pet Food | Petco.com