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Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

hermanmiller.com

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Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a $100 chair, and then I bought a Herman Miller Aeron. The $100 chair is much more comfortable. For one thing, the seat pan is padded cloth instead of mesh. Even my coworkers prefer it, so we outfitted the office with the $100 chairs, and nobody wants to sit on the uncomfortable $800 Aerons.

The purpose of the mesh is to prevent your ass from sweating. Perhaps you don't have that problem, but it's an issue for a lot of people. I lost weight down to a BMI of 22 and still appreciate a mesh seat.

I think it's also something you don't really notice until you've used the Aeron a lot - but once you do, you'll become quite aware of it on almost any other seat. Also depends how long you're sitting in a seat at one time.

My Aeron is still one of my favorite purchases (and I paid full price for mine over a decade ago, I don't regret it).

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#64
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had the same issue with the seat edge, I believe that it's referred to as a waterfall edge. The rest of the chair was great, but I found that extremely uncomfortable after a few hours. Many people don't have a problem with it, however. I also recommend Steelcase as a good alternative. I considered the Leap but eventually chose the Gesture, and am extremely satisfied.

I too had the same problem with the seat edge - and after a couple of hours it cut off circulation in my legs. Not something you want when you pay $1,300 for an office chair. I found the Mirra to be better.

The Mirra lets you adjust the tilt of the forward part of the seat, solving the biggest problem with the Aeron. It's basically an improved Aeron, in my opinion (I have both).

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#65
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had the same issue with the seat edge, I believe that it's referred to as a waterfall edge. The rest of the chair was great, but I found that extremely uncomfortable after a few hours. Many people don't have a problem with it, however. I also recommend Steelcase as a good alternative. I considered the Leap but eventually chose the Gesture, and am extremely satisfied.

I too had the same problem with the seat edge - and after a couple of hours it cut off circulation in my legs. Not something you want when you pay $1,300 for an office chair. I found the Mirra to be better.

I got a Mirra a couple years ago, still going strong, would happily recommend it. Haven't tried the Mirra 2.

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#66
post #58

I bought two Aeron chairs, $10 each at separate times. The first chair was being pushed down the street by a guy who looked borderline homeless. He was about to go into the Bowling Green subway station. I said "Are you selling that chair", he said "How much would you offer?". I offered $10, he said "great, I didn't really want to carry this all the way home". I had a pang of regret and thought I had possibly walked i…

This sounds like a story from fuckedcompany.com. It wasn't late summer 2001 at the time was it?

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#67

Wow, this is just full of people who don't like the aeron. I agree it's expensive. I just buy used ones on craigslist for $375. I just wait till there is one. I've got 3. I've had a work aeron since 2002. Love the things they work for me. I know plenty of people they don't work for. I used several other ergonomic chairs and they pinched the nerves at the back of my knees and caused the outsides of my feet to go numb.…

I love my Aeron which I got sometime in the 90s on offer. I can spend far longer in it before I start noticing the chair than anything else I've tried.

What I don't love is longevity and cost of spares. The original lumbar support[1] was just a piece of plastic, consistently broke after 12-18 months, and cost £50+ to replace. After the 4th broke, an ugly bodge was the answer!

Arm rest pads also split regularly, though less frequently, but a pair cost less than the simple backrest!

Everything else seems to have lasted remarkably well.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Aeron-Chair-Lumbar-Herman-Miller/dp/B...

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#68
Used to have one at an old job but never liked them. I found the plastic leading-edge of the seat gouged into my legs uncomfortably. I did find one with a torn mesh seat on the street once -- repaired it and gave it to a family member.

For me - I've been sitting on a Humanscale Freedom for about a decade. The company replaced the gel seat once due to wear and tear - but otherwise it's been a great seat if you're okay using something that doesn't have a million knobs and levers to customize your sitting experience.

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#69
post #17

I know the Aeron is extremely popular, but IMO the Embody is a better chair: http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/performance-wor...

I think it's seriously flawed, to the point of being a ripoff (especially considering the price).

Specifically, I think that the two, radical flaws, are not just due to my personal shape:

1. the lower back support is very hard; anything around the waist will push against the pelvis/lower back. It took time to get used to, even using cotton trousers, I can't imagine people wearing a belt ever feeling comfortable.

2. the upper top back is significantly concave; it pushes against the shoulders, leading to a severely bad posture, especially if you have a minimum of muscles in the back.

I think they reason why I originally chose it over the Aeron was that on a short try, the back support was adapting better; turned out to be a bad decision.

I don't complain about the materials (it looks like it will last for years), although I understand why some people would judge them as second class.

Re: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron Chair

#70
post #58

I bought two Aeron chairs, $10 each at separate times. The first chair was being pushed down the street by a guy who looked borderline homeless. He was about to go into the Bowling Green subway station. I said "Are you selling that chair", he said "How much would you offer?". I offered $10, he said "great, I didn't really want to carry this all the way home". I had a pang of regret and thought I had possibly walked i…

I guess I should actually review the chair. I think the Aeron is ok, but I haven't sat in another chair that I think is notably better. I also haven't ever sat in an office chair that felt 100% right. I have short legs and a long torso. I'm 5'8" and I wear a 29" inseam pant. I do sometimes notice the front bar putting pressure on my legs. Most of the time I put my legs up on something. and have my knees slightly bent pushing me back into the chair, in this position, the front bar isn't an issue. I do like the mesh for the circulation.

I recently had trouble with stiff knees after a cross country drive. I saw a massage therapist who does structural integration/bodywork. A small amount of what he said was whooo-whooo, but he was very helpful with alignment, helping my flexibility and explaining how to use my body. He told me that when I sit down I should spread my cheeks and push myself firmly back into my chair. This has helped. Because of this, I think a wheeled chair might not be the best option. I want something firmly planted on the ground. The next time I setup an office for myself I intend to have a video chat with him, with a third party holding the iPad so he can help me with alignment and suggestions.

Another thing that I am interested in trying is the Esse Liberator [1], it looks comfortable and interesting to sit in alone. I'm just worried about my Mom coming over and saying "oh I like that chair where can I buy one", then I'd have to just give it as a gift.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Liberator-Sensual-Lounge-Espresso-Vel...

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