If you're planning on hiking with a baby often without another person to carry a pack, or have a larger child that wouldn't be comfortable to wear on your front while you also wear a backpack, then I would recommend a baby hiking backpack. On the other hand, if you typically hike with another person who could carry the pack, or don't mind wearing baby on the front as well as a backpack, then I love the comfort and ease of a soft structured carrier. If you do decide that an actual baby hiking backpack makes more sense for you, I recommend this one or this one.