I've had the 'new' Ergo style for over 2 years now and still LOVE it very much. Since there's no hiking or really anywhere that involves walking long distances, dd & I don't use it as much.
Still, it's very nice to have when I need it, such as last month's AKC dog show. DD was thrilled to walk around for the first hour, but when she got tired (as we expected), it was up on my back for the next 2 hours. Last time I wore it, she was considerably smaller, about 3 inches or so, but I didn't have to make any adjustments to fit her now.
She can easily see over my shoulder since I'm a short-waisted & stout woman. DD is about 35 1/2 lbs & almost 41 inches tall, but both of us were still very comfortable the entire time. I could bend down and she'd pet dogs to her heart's content, it was that secure and safe. I love it when she whispers in my ear as we go along.
I can never hear her comments if she was in a stroller.
Here's an old thread that I posted
photo links to demonstrate when I first started using it in 2005 if you're interested. Her feet can almost touch when she reaches her legs around my waist now. But the dangling didn't bother us at all.
In airports, it is absolutely awesome. Use the stroller to carry the carseat or bags. DD doesn't like crowds, so it's comforting to be up against me .
To carry when the child is out of it, all you have to do is hook the waist belt around your waist & secure the chest clip around your waist too. Voila, it's a belt. We also can carry it in our small diaper bag/backpack with a fold-up- toilet seat, extra clothes, my stuff, & everything else. It's that convenient.
hth