Office Chair

[timwhit]

I am looking for a new office chair. I have had the same chair for about 7 years and it is starting to fall apart pretty badly.

I would like to get something with a metal frame as it seems this would last longer/not break as easily.

My budget is in the $200-300 range.

Here (http://www.domicilefurniture.com/Pages/Office/Chairs/Eurostyle/BungeHighBack/Details/BungeHigh_Details.htm) is one option, I have sat in this chair before, and it is fairly comfortable. I have no idea if it would fall apart in 2 years though. Anyone have a specific brand or chair that they like a lot?

[ddrueding]

I go through high-back leather office chairs about every 3 years. The one I have now I bought from OfficeMax 3 years ago for about $100. It has no labelling on it, so I can't reccomend an exact model, but it's by far my favorite. I've been looking for a second identical one for my GF, but I may hold out and get a Aeron (http://www.homeofficesolutions.com/product-exec/product_id/293?ovchn=FRO&ovcpn=Froogle+HOS&ovcrn=Froogle&ovtac=CMP&hs373=FRO%5EHighly+Adjustable+Aeron++Graphite+Fram e%5EHOS)instead. I love those things; two jobs I've had included them, and they are fantastic.

[timwhit]

I sat on an Aeron for one day at my last job and it killed my back. I messed with the controls to try to get it comfortable, but I just couldn't find a good way to set it to make it work for me.

I don't know why it is so hard to find an office chair that has a sturdy metal frame without spending $500+.

[ddrueding]

I don't know why it is so hard to find an office chair that has a sturdy metal frame without spending $500+.

I don't know either. That's why I spend $100 every few years and don't worry about it ;)

[timwhit]

Yeah, I understand your point. But, I am convinced that I can find something better this time. I might end up increasing my budget. But, I am still looking for recommendations if anyone has any.

[time]

As a rule, office chairs are not sprung, so the seat's foam padding takes the entire load. Much of the manufacturing cost in a good chair will be the foam. It's the first area in which makers cut costs and the resulting shortcomings may not be obvious until you've used the chair for a while.

A good chair cushion will be multi-layered (at least two graduated stiffness levels) and weight is probably a fair guide to quality. To my cost, I've discovered that what seems adequate as a component may prove to be hopelessly inadequate once installed in a chair. If you can touch bottom by pressing down on the cushion with your hand, it's probably not much good.

I don't know if there's much point looking for a particular brand - most chairs are assembled from off-the-shelf components (including the metal frame) and you may not get the same configuration again anyway.

The success or otherwise of back support varies wildly from model to model. You definitely need to hang out in a showroom for an hour or so to get some idea.

Chairs with at least four separate adjustments (seat height, seat tilt, back rake and back height) are likely to be a better chance. However, check that there is enough travel in each adjustment to suit you; there may be too much forward tilt or the back may be too close to your butt.

[fb]

Kinnarps (http://www.kinnarps.com/) might be worth a look if they sell them somewhere in your area. But they're most likely outside of $300. But I've had my (I think it's a 6000-series) for at least 7-8 years now and it's almost like new and I've never sat in a more comfortable office chair.

[sechs]

I sat on an Aeron for one day at my last job and it killed my back. I messed with the controls to try to get it comfortable, but I just couldn't find a good way to set it to make it work for me..

The problem with the Herman Miller chairs is that they're Surpisingly Uncomfortable(TM). There are a half dozen or so controls to adjust it, they break easily, and it take forever to get them just right. This is too say, they're too complicated and have a tendency to break before you get them just right.

I tend to go the path of whatever is cheapest this week at the office supply stores. I don't spend much over $50 and get a new chair every few years. They're like inkjets, but with no consumables.

[Handruin]

The flip side to "new chair every few year" is disposing of them. Big and bulky things aren't the easiest for everyone to throw away. For some it requires a trip to the dump and that is a pain. I still fall into this category except I've yet to throw away the old chair...

For me, I've been using chairs from staples (situations) and they aren't anything super fancy, but have lasted for 3 years now and are fairly comfortable for me. They're starting to become uncomfortable on the seat bottom. I may venture out to find a new chair after tax return time.

[Bozo]

The best bet is to actually go to a store and sit in them. Everyones derriere is different. Lombar support is important too.
Take your time making the decission. Getting a sore back or cramps after an hour or so in the chair will negate the low price.

Bozo :joker:

[sechs]

The flip side to "new chair every few year" is disposing of them. Big and bulky things aren't the easiest for everyone to throw away. For some it requires a trip to the dump and that is a pain.


Throw away? That's the kind of talk that causes crazy weather.

As long as they're still serviceable, chairs get cycled down to other locations where no one tends to sit for extended periods. Then a post on Craigslist (or, now, Freecycle) gets some person with space on a vehicle the chair for free. It continues on in some slightly more abused fashion....

[CougTek]

Big and bulky things aren't the easiest for everyone to throw away.
No but for those able to handle them, throwing away (litterally) big and bulky things is a lot of fun!

[timwhit]

I still haven't found a chair I want. But, now I am getting desperate, a piece of metal that holds the chair to the base is cracked and now I am sitting at about a 10% angle to the right. Not comfortable. Especially since I have to sit here and work on this freelance project the whole weekend.

Office chairs really are crap. It's not like I weigh 400lbs, I clock in at about 160lbs (72kg). Why can't these things hold up any better?

I think I might have to go and get something spur of the moment, before I go crazy and throw this thing out of my 9th story window.

[ddrueding]

I just ordered a pair of these (http://bizchair.com/bt-983-bk-gg.html)for the house. Look nice, should be comfortable.

They are scheduled to arrive Monday, so I can let you know how they turn out.

[Nitsirk]

Yeah, I understand your point. But, I am convinced that I can find something better this time. I might end up increasing my budget. But, I am still looking for recommendations if anyone has any.

I just bought a new chair a few months ago. I sat in every chair in the store from 50 to 350 dollars and was pleasantly surprised that the most comfy one was only 100 bucks.

Everyone is different so its best if you can go sit in a bunch of them. I shop for most everything I buy online. I hate shopping in real stores. The exception to this is furniture. You must sit in the chair, lay on the mattress, put your feet up on the couch, etc etc. If you spend as much time in your chair as I do, the few hours at the store will be well worth it.

[Handruin]

I had the same problem with couches as I do with office chairs. I can sit on 100 of them and not find one I really like. Even if I made price not a factor (which it is), I have a hard time finding anything in the expensive chairs. Likely when I move in the next decade, I'll be on a similar search for a new office chair. Right now I have an old pillow to put on top of it because the padding is dead. Makes for a very uncomfortable chair.

[ddrueding]

I'm actually in the process of sending my Tempurpedic mattress back. It's not as comfortable as I would have thought given the hype; and the lack of springs negatively impacts my social agenda ;)

[timwhit]

I'm actually in the process of sending my Tempurpedic mattress back. It's not as comfortable as I would have thought given the hype; and the lack of springs negatively impacts my social agenda ;)

Did you order it off the TeeVee? Do you have to pay return shipping costs?

[Pradeep]

I'm actually in the process of sending my Tempurpedic mattress back. It's not as comfortable as I would have thought given the hype; and the lack of springs negatively impacts my social agenda ;)

I thought you were attached? Can't beat the motion of a waterbed.

[timwhit]

I think a waterbed would make me seasick.

[ddrueding]

I ordered it online, so I got a 90-day refund guarante. They are charging $100 for return shipping, but delivery was included, so it all works out. Waterbeds provide motion, but you don't have control over the motion, so it's only really good for lazy lovers.

I am attached, but that doesn't mean we stopped going at it. ;)

[Handruin]

Many of the newer water beds have baffles in them to keep you from floating along like you might think.

[Mercutio]

My "computer chairs" are just old, coffee-stained, no-adjustment-having meeting-room chairs. They don't even roll.

But I can spend 20 hours in one and at the end of that time I'm still comfortable, which is more than I can say for some chairs I've been in over the years.

[timwhit]

I ended up ordering this (http://www.domicilefurniture.com/Pages/Office/Chairs/Eurostyle/BungeHighBack/Details/BungeHigh_Details.htm) from a local store.

They were asking $240 for it, but I said I saw it on their website (horribly outdated, price was still $200 on the website) and they sold it to me for $200.

Maybe they should update, that. Good for me though...

It seems pretty comfortable, but I only sat in it for about 5-10 minutes. I just hope it will last for more than 5 years.

[ddrueding]

Looks good, metal and bungee...It will be solid until it fails (catastrophically), so you won't need to worry about procrastination when it comes time to replace it ;)

I like the design; but I need a "high back" chair, one that I can rest my head on (I'm 6'3").

[timwhit]

I'm 6'2", but, I will deal with it. I don't generally lean all the way back anyways.

[Fushigi]

The Aeron chairs are very comfortable but you do need to adjust them first. Earlier ones without the "Y" lumbar support broke easily; the Y ones seem to be a lot better. They're finicky but very nice once set up properly.

That said, IMO they're too expensive for the home office.

When we upgraded to the Aerons at work they let us buy our old chairs for $25. They're Steelcase and the framing and arm supports are actual steel are feel very strong and durable. After having one at the office for about 5 years my chair had barely any wear signs at all. The models are similar to http://www.steelcase.com/na/criterion_products.aspx?f=11848 .

I see you already ordered your chair but in the future you might check places that re-sell used office furniture.

[timwhit]

The chair you linked to looks like it goes for about $800. If you got it for $25, that is a hell of a deal even after used for 5 years.

[CougTek]

Firefox savagedly upgraded itself without asking for permission while I was composing my reply. Quite frustrating...

Back to what I was writing...

At 6'2'' and 160lbs, it's no wonder you can't find a chair you're confortable on...you're sitting on your bones. Try using cycling shorts with padding on the ass, that might help. Doing some squat and leg press could improve your rear padding problem too. Just a hint : when you sit on a wood chair and you hear "clunk" at the moment your rear makes contact, it might be a sign that you're possibly too, hummm...fit. ;-)

I'll have to change my office chair soon too. My current one has been disabled into pieces several time (without the use of a screwdriver). It's a miracle it still holds together. And the arm rests are now loose. Next time I lose my temper and decide its a suitable target, it will be its swan song. I'll probably go for something like this :

http://www.staples.ca/FRA/images/products/ca630828_1_std.jpg
200$CAN, not too bad. If I can find a leather version for not much more, that'll be even better.

The seat padding on the one linked by our local speed demon seems to be lacking or maybe the picture just isn't good.

[ddrueding]

I'm 6'3" and 180, but muscle development in the region required is actually a bit excessive. I've never had issues with seat padding.

[e_dawg]

I've heard good things about the ErgoHuman and Eurotech chairs.

http://www.beyondtheofficedoor.com/ergonomic-office-chair.php

Some say they compete with the high-end ergonomic chairs (Herman Miller Aeron and Mirra, Steelcase Leap, and Humanscale Liberty and Freedom .... basically, these are the top-reviewed chairs of the last decade). Here's a link to a good meta-review:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/office/office-chairs/index.html

Myself, I just ordered a HM Aeron w/ Posture-Fit adjustable sacro-lumbar support for home. I tried it out a dozen chairs at a specialty back-care store and found it to be the best overall compromise. I was torn between the Aeron and the Mirra (the younger brother of the Aeron, so to speak). I liked how the Mirra had a higher back that did not slope rearward as much at the top, so as to provide more support around the shoulder area... but overall it wasn't as comfortable as the Aeron.

At work, I have been using the Steelcase Leap chair for a couple months, and find it to be pretty good, but not great. I like the glide/recline system where the seat bottom moves forward while the back reclines; the flexible back is pretty neat; and the omni-adjustable arms are good too. But for some reason, it's not as comfortable as it could be for me...

I guess we'll see how I like it after a couple months, as that's really the only way to tell how good a chair is. You can't really tell by sitting in a chair for 20 minutes here and there.

[ddrueding]

I like the look of some of those ErgoHuman chairs, too bad mine are arriving tomorrow.

[ddrueding]

Chairs arrived today, haven't assembled them yet.

I'm really disappointed in the vinyl chair mats I got at OfficeMax. I have a medium depth carpet, and the chair "settles" quite easily and requires some effort to move again. I'm looking at these glass chair mats (http://www.tech-lineproducts.com/) as a solution.

I'll need a custom one, as my desk requires a 96"x60" rolling surface.

Thoughts?

[Nitsirk]

I'm really disappointed in the vinyl chair mats I got at OfficeMax. I have a medium depth carpet, and the chair "settles" quite easily and requires some effort to move again.

I absolutely hate those vinyl chair mats at OfficeMax. They don't last long at all before they start cracking and splitting and they make a mess when they start falling apart. Ridiculous. (and I only weigh 115 lbs so that isn't the problem) I have not found a better solution but if you do, please post. I'd love to hear it.

[Mercutio]

In the past I've used rubber-backed runners (long carpets with rubber beneath). I'm a big guy and I can roll a chair on those, with carpet underneath, just fine.
I don't like the vinyl things either.

[sechs]

The issue, I've found with the hard chairmats is that (1) you need to get one appropriate for your carpet and (2) they don't do well outside a relatively narrow range of temperatures. They love to crack on high pile carpets and when it's cool.

[ddrueding]

I'm looking at these glass chair mats (http://www.tech-lineproducts.com/) as a solution.

I'll need a custom one, as my desk requires a 96"x60" rolling surface.

I got a (very prompt) response from the owner of the company, saying that for my needs it would have to be two parts. Total including shipping was ~$750, and total weight was ~130lbs. The GFAF* is too low, so now I'm looking at either wood or polycarbonate.

*girlfriend acceptance factor

[timwhit]

You mean like a piece of plywood? Niiice.

[ddrueding]

You mean like a piece of plywood? Niiice.

Nope. A piece of finished hardwood floor, with the underside reinforced so it can sit on carpet and act as a chairmat.

[timwhit]

From personal experience, a rolling chair will destroy hardwood floor in a matter of months. Just something to keep in mind if you care about the appearance of the "chairmat".

[ddrueding]

The ones designed for this purpose (IIRC) are a pergo material with a really hard coating. I too have destroyed oak flooring with a rolling chair; it's not the chair, as much as the grit that accumulates and is rolled into/around the surface.

[ddrueding]

Just ordered one of these (http://www.chair-mats.com/glasstylchai.html) in 96"x60" with beveled edges; $280 after tax (for a piece of plastic!). 1/4" thick ought to be enough; they have a 5/16" thick one, but it is far from transparent.

[ddrueding]

I've been having a lot of back problems lately. I've been working from home more and spending even more time at my desk. I finally broke down and bought a Herman Miller Aeron (http://www.hermanmiller.com/CDA/SSA/Product/0,,a10-c440-p8,00.html). I used to have one at a former job, and loved it. I think I'll be able to reduce the amount of fatigue in my back and shoulders by making adjustments during the day.

[e_dawg]

Hope it works for you dd. I bought one for home to address my back pain, but it didn't help. I am still using it now because I haven't found anything that's noticeably better and I would lose a bunch of money if I wanted to sell it now.

We have Steelcase Leap chairs at work which are high end chairs too, and it may be slightly better than the HM Aeron for my back, but not ideal either.

One of these days, someone will come out with the perfect chair for my back. I just hope it's well within my lifetime ;)

[e_dawg]

One thing I like about the Aeron is the mesh poly fabric bottom and seatback. While not ideal because the poly weave basically reflects moisture back at your skin, it is ventilated and will not trap heat the way a regular fabric + foam seat cushion will on most chairs.

[timwhit]

As I mentioned in the third post of this thread, the Aeron hurt my back much more than most cheapo chairs. I'm still pretty happy with what I got (http://www.domicilefurniture.com/Pages/Office/Chairs/Eurostyle/BungeHighBack/Details/BungeHigh_Details.htm).

The only drawback and it's a minor one is if I eat in the chair a lot of crumbs fall through and it's a pain to clean up. I will still have to see how it holds up over the long term, but I'm happy overall.

[ddrueding]

Aeron just arrived. Assembly was easy. I got all the options, including the new adjustable lumbar support (that my old one didn't have) and the large-diameter wheels that roll through thick carpet quite easily.

I've only spent about 20 minutes in it so far, and I need to drive south and pick up some checks, but I'll have a better report in a day or two.

[e_dawg]

The PostureFit adjustable lumbar feature is what makes the Aeron, IMO. It's one of the few ergo chairs that actually allow the lumbar support to be positioned low enough on the back (more like a lumbro-sacral support, really) to be anatomically useful.

Most lumbar supports just fill in the curve of your back above the waist to the middle of your back, but the chair usually curves away from you below your waist and leaves a "black hole of support" from below your waist to your tailbone, allowing your pelvis to rotate and put pressure on your discs. The Aeron PostureFit is one of the few chairs to correct that stupid design flaw most chairs are afflicted with.

The one ergo/anatomic flaw of the Aeron IMO is the design of the seat bottom. It's designed a bit like a speed bump with the crest closer to the front going laterally across the chair and tapering down towards the front and back. I feel the rise is bit too extreme, encouraging the thighs to tilt upwards a bit and have the knees higher relative to the hips and closing the hip angle (should not be less than 120 degrees). If you have a high foot rest and use it, it's will minimize the strain of having your knees so high, but not too many people use foot rests.

[ddrueding]

I don't use footrests because my position is constantly changing, my desk it 8' long. The seat bottom would be slightly too high in front, if it weren't for the tilt forward feature, which (when combined with the lumbar support) puts the back nicely vertical and supported at the same time.