Thanks for all the feedback everyone. We'll have to find somewhere to try out a proper hiking carrier with our baby, as I have to be confident he'll be able to use one. From past experience, I don't think a regular babybjorn style would cut it for this situation. I think I'd be comfortable hiking with the bigger carrier, as long as we can mix together enough non carrier activities throughout. I just don't want to be such with it for hours at a time.