The sling was never my favorite. I don't know why, it was just not for me. I would always have my arms around the sling full of baby even though DW stressed that the babe would not fall out nor break her/his neck being bent by the sling.
We have a Kelty backpack that is great but overkill for local most jobs. I should mention that I would use my digital camera to see what was going on on my back. I would rotate the viewfinder monitor and hold the camera above my head in front to watch my kid on"TV."
Frankly, I like to just hold my babies with my arms, even as they turn numb...my arms, not my kids. I would even carry them on my shoulders even though they can barely see over my head. It does hurt a little when they use my hair for reins as if on a bucking bronco.
I just don't have the hips to carry a baby on my hip. I end up walking around like I just got off a crowded over-seas flight.
For a while, I did use a cloth front pack, but setting it up was a hassle. However, I did spend a couple hours downhill skiing with my 4mo old son in the pack. While not the smartest thing, the sling was comfortable and DS did not fall out when I pulled a few Gs in some speeder turns.
Good luck.
