Apparatus and method for associating with any one of a plurality of access points in a mesh network including estimating a plurality of metrics for the access points, the estimated metrics being related to throughputs provided by the access points, and selecting one of the access points to associate with based on the metrics and a plurality of backhaul metrics for the access points, the backhaul metrics being related to backhaul throughputs for the access points. The backhaul metrics may be advertised by the access points.