Indispensable on a big hiking trip

We took the Evenflo Snugli framed carrier with us on a 6-week, 6,000-mile trip on my maternity leave with Child #2. Child #1 was 20 months old by then, and we were concerned she would be too big for a backpack. Fortunately, we received this backpack before we left home, and after reading the booklet, we were convinced it would be a great fit. We were far from exceeding the weight limit, as our daughter only weighed about 24 pounds.
We really liked many of the features on the pack. It was easy to adjust, so my husband or I could carry it.
It is much sturdier, with thicker fabric and more padding, than some of the other backpacks we have used in the past.
The cargo area is fairly roomy, and has a sturdy zipper. It is easy for someone else to get things from this pocket while hiking.
The kickstand is great, and each of us could use the backpack alone. It is certainly scary to be swinging the pack up onto one's back with your child in there, but the kickstand makes the process easier. We could make sure she was securely fastened in and comfortable before hoisting her up.
Apparently the ride was comfortable, because our daughter rode in there for up to four hours straight without complaint, and often fell asleep, resting her head on the back of my or my husband's neck. She was actually very verbal at this age, speaking in understandable sentences, and she is quick to let us know if she is hungry or thirsty or uncomfortable. The fact that she never complained and always was eager to get in the pack attests to its good design for the passenger.
The pack has a cushy hip strap, which helps take some of the weight off the shoulders. Anyone who has experience backpacking will be able to easily master the adjustments on the pack. There are also several adjustments to account for the height and ride of the child. If you read the manual, you will easily see what all the straps do.
Although the pack looks large and bulky, we were able to shove it easily into a storage compartment under the RV, next to an umbrella stroller. We seldom used the umbrella stroller, because the backpack always seemed easier for us and more comfortable for our daughter. This was the case even if we were taking the shuttle bus at the Grand Canyon. My husband was able to sit on the edge of the seat with the backpack on and ride the shuttle for short distances.
We hiked quite a bit on our trip, at Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Hot Springs, AK, Carlsbad Caverns, NM, etc. We also took in sites in urban locations, such as museums. We almost always preferred the backpack over our other available methods.