It really depends on whether you are going for a short hike, or a long hike. If it is a short hike, I use my Ergo, if it is a long hike I use my Kelty backpack carrier.
When DD was 18 months we'd take our Madden framed carrier for longer hikes when I needed to carry cargo with her. Ergo for shorter hikes (and DH would carry all the gear in another backpack). At that age, DD was hiking at least 1 mile of the hike on her own power.
Re: Anyone hike with a 18 mth old?
Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter
"><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/825/1820/8251820.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - Free <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Calorie Counter</a></small></p>When DD was 18 months we'd take our Madden framed carrier for longer hikes when I needed to carry cargo with her. Ergo for shorter hikes (and DH would carry all the gear in another backpack). At that age, DD was hiking at least 1 mile of the hike on her own power.