Real reviews & real data for premium chairs

The commenter strongly dislikes mesh seats on the Aeron and expresses a strong preference against them. They mention that both the Gesture and Leap have very thin seat padding, but suggest that adding something like a Purple cushion could help, though they acknowledge that defeats the purpose of buying an expensive ergonomic chair in the first place. Their comment reflects frustration with the mesh design and thin padding options in high-end ergonomic chairs.

The commenter suggests that if the original poster already likes the Leap V2, they should simply get another one since it's proven to work for them. As an alternative money-saving option, they recommend getting a seat cushion from either Cushion Lab or Purple instead of buying a whole new chair. This implies the Leap V2 is a solid choice worth repeating.

The reviewer purchased a used Steelcase Leap V2 about six years ago, added a dodgy aftermarket headrest, and used it for many years with great satisfaction. However, their wife has now commandeered the chair while working from home. Recently they bought a new Gesture (2.5k+ AUD with headrest) for a test run, and also tried out a friend's Secretlab Titan Evo which they found super comfy and loved. Despite negative posts about Secretlab's ergo, they decided to give the Secretlab a proper 4-week trial at about 40% less cost than the Steelcase. They praise the Titan Evo's rigid frame, ease of adjustment, excellent arm rests, and magnetic cushion headrest. Now, however, they're experiencing severe butt pain after sitting 11-12 hours daily for work and play. They even tried an egg sitter (a cheap knockoff) and a genuine 100 AUD Secretlab plush cushion with no relief. They're questioning whether Secretlab deliberately makes chairs firm for ergonomics or if they should abandon the chair entirely. They're 178cm, 80kg, regular build.

Visitor tried Humanscale chairs at the Manchester showroom. Found that armrests on Humanscale chairs are generally too low for comfortable use. Tested the Humanscale Freedom model without headrest.

The commenter discusses the importance of proper chair setup for avoiding back pain. They mention that at 2x the price of some other options, you need proper sit-bone support, stress relief, and mesh/sling design that flows correctly down from the back. Without proper flow, your entire body can be at risk of injury, and the chair wouldn't redistribute pressure as the theory intends. They believe a Gesture-style seat pan (which is generic for most chairs) might be more suitable for someone who wants to relax more, though they note the Embody seems like a massage chair with great back support. They emphasize that testing chairs personally is essential before making such a significant investment.

Recommended as a great alternative chair alongside the Fern. Described as a fully adjustable ergonomic chair designed for long sitters. The commenter notes it's important to measure your hips and verify the fit between the arms comfortably for this model as well.