Can someone recommend a good backcarrier for hiking?

I would recommend a mei tai first off. If you or dh is more comfortable with buckles and straps, try a Patapum. You never said how much your ds weighs. Patapum makes a toddler carrier that is made especially for 18 months up to 62 lbs.

Out of all our carriers I highly recommend the Kelty carrier for long hauls.My husband uses it with our almost 3yr old and he never complains of his back hurting because of how it sits its on your hips and is evenly distributed.Plus on a Kelty it has accessories you can buy like a rain thingy and its got pockets in it to hold bottles or snacks or even a few diapers.Plus you can sit the baby on the ground still in the carrier and they aren't touching the ground.Its aluminum so its super light!

We just got back from hiking in the Smokies and dh wore our 3 year old daughter in an REI Piggyback backback. It's really lightweight and it distributes the weight evenly over the wearer's back, shoulders and waist. My husband and daughter both love it.

i am a mei tai worshipper, BUT..
We love the dueter backpack for long hikes. it is a backpack and diaper bag,water bottle-you name it holder all at once. my 2 yo LOVES it and pulls it out and tries to climb into it all the time.
www.babystyle.com

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i would HIGHLY recommend the kelty carriers. i believe there are six models - do not get either of the two cheapest ones. any of the others are great. UNLESS you are very small (i.e., size 2ish) because then you will probably have problems making it small enough to fit you.

We like our Kelty,esp my dh. We also have a babytrekker,comfy and you could switch positions with the straps if you need to. Have an awesome trip.

I am a huge fan of my Tough Traveller http://www.toughtraveller.com/

Kelty fan here too. I do use my mei tai for short hikes, but the frame backpack is def. the way to go on a long hike. Also dd liikes being able to get her 260 view from way up there in the "cockpit".

Wrao lovers say that a good german wrap is even more comfortable than a framed carrier for long walks!!
My baby is small, so MTs is work wonderfully.

I ended up buying an Ellaroo Mei Tai. I figured we're only going hiking once and the mei tai I can get a lot of use out of. Thanks for the tips!