Anybody have a recommendation for an inexpensive chair that isn't bad for your back or body?
Ikea's markus chair gets a lot of good reviews: it's one of the best options for the price.
Herman Miller Cosm Chair
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Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
That brings back memories. Wonder what he's doing now? I've got 2 Aerons in my home office right now and they're awesome. Cost me £100 each, 6 months old, bought from a government department who paid a fortune for them. That's where your tax money goes it seems.
>That brings back memories. Wonder what he's doing now? https://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=pud
Awesome, thank you.
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#43Every Herman Miller chair I've tried (and several other brands of "ergonomic" chairs) seem to be designed in such a way that there's a big gap in support around the mid-back area, in-between the lumbar area and the shoulder blades. There's very firm, forward support for the lumbar spine and shoulders, and then this weird gap in the middle. This causes my mid-back to round into the empty space, which in turn causes my…
Curious, are you using their lumbar insert? I used to and always found it uncomfortable. I later learned from a Herman Miller rep that most people shouldn’t use it and the chair provides support from the large mesh contact surface. Since removing it I’ve been way more comfortable, going on 5 years now.
On the other hand, I really like it. But then I seem to really prefer having good lumbar support in general in cars etc.
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#44As someone who recently purchased a high end chair, my only advice is go try them in person(!), and sit how you actually sit. Herman Miller Aeron for example is great for people who are either small or sit "correctly." If you fold your legs under yourself, it is super uncomfortable. My finalists were the Aeron, Embody, Steelcase Leap, and Gesture. The Leap and Gesture worked much better for my lazy ("natural") seatin…
The Aeron is only for people who are small? They make them in 3 different sizes and Size C can easily handle a very large person. The level of customization is why they became so popular. To that end, they also have premium versions that have even more 'levers and knobs' beyond the standard features. To your point, most people are uninformed about the Aeron (or similar) and the degree of customization that's achievab…
> The Aeron is only for people who are small? They make them in 3 different sizes and Size C can easily handle a very large person.
But does nothing for leg length, which is the issue. As I said in the post you replied to, if you fold your legs under yourself the Aeron doesn't work.
For smaller people, they likely won't notice it, but for larger/taller the back of your legs brush against the underside/front of the chair in that position.
The Aeron seems to want you to sit correctly or not at all.
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#45I have to say the Aeron is my absolute favourite chair and I've worked in several different environments.
I haven't had the luxury of testing other high-end ergonomic chairs, but I had to buy an Aeron for my home office as soon as I started getting serious about remote-working.
I can sit in this thing for a lengthy 12-hour shift and feel physically OK doing so (with some regular small walking breaks of course) - and I cannot say the same thing for any other chair.
I also think it just looks fantastic, it's definitely iconic and I have expressed my interest to Herman Miller in this new chair even though the one I'm sitting in right now is five years old and still feels mint condition.
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#46Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is a very good reason Aeron chairs appeal to programmers...
I always wanted an Aeron. Finally got one and it's terrible. The bottom "breathable" fabric has to be so tight it's like sitting on a noncushioned chair. It might keep your ass cooler but at the expense of comfort. I found a ~$150 chair on Amazon that is so much more comfortable and affordable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q5XTE8/
Maybe it's because I'm a tall guy (and fairly overweight) but for me it's the mesh that makes it so good - it might feel tight and not exactly 'cushioned', but I can sit on it for hours without feeling sore, whereas nearly every other office chair after a while feels like I've sunk into the cushion and warped my sitting position - or hit the plastics/metal!
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
I always wanted an Aeron. Finally got one and it's terrible. The bottom "breathable" fabric has to be so tight it's like sitting on a noncushioned chair. It might keep your ass cooler but at the expense of comfort. I found a ~$150 chair on Amazon that is so much more comfortable and affordable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Q5XTE8/
Maybe it's because I'm a tall guy (and fairly overweight) but for me it's the mesh that makes it so good - it might feel tight and not exactly 'cushioned', but I can sit on it for hours without feeling sore, whereas nearly every other office chair after a while feels like I've sunk into the cushion and warped my sitting position - or hit the plastics/metal!
I'm glad someone likes it. I'm a Herman Miller fan, my dad's Eames Lounge Chair from the 70s got murdered in a tornado (so sad).
It makes me sad that they're so uncomfortable because I love the look (the Cobalt Blue from the 90s was awesome).
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#4815 years ago I went to look at chairs after finally tiring of the "cheap" $200 Office Depot chairs that needed replacing every couple years. The office furniture store I went to had several Aeron chairs and all of them were broken in various ways. I took that as a sign and didn't get one.
Instead I got a Cramer Triton which is a fairly basic looking chair, but I found comfortable for working at the computer and it was rated for 3 shift use with a fairly long warranty. Later I got a total of maybe 6 of them for my company and they held up really well.
I left that company and the new company had a bunch of Aeron chairs, the best I could find of the unused chairs was one that I could get into a reasonable position but couldn't adjust at all once it was there.
Fast forward 4 years and yesterday I spent about 30 minutes sitting, mostly using a standing desk. :-)
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#49The Staple’s branded Tarance is the nicest chair I’ve sat on in some time. And it’s modestly priced ($265CDN). Check it out next time you’re in Staples.
Re: Herman Miller Cosm Chair
#50Anybody have a recommendation for an inexpensive chair that isn't bad for your back or body?
The IKEA Markus is around $200 and often recommended as a good compromise on price and ergonomics.
This is a reassuring recommendation because I just did some research and the Markus was what I settled on in the affordable bracket.