Ergonomic Office Chair Recommendations

[Gustav7]

Ya, I know, lame topic but googling "ergonomic office chairs for fidgety people who carry guns" doesn't yield a good response.

For my office guys has anyone invested in a good chair and what'd you like?

I'm an Arborist by trade and do tree risk assessments and tree health diagnosis, so half my time is on properties, but 40-60% of my time is in the office on my laptop. Knees and back just hate sitting like this and the shitty chairs we have don't make it better. I do behavioral shit to help like taking breaks, quick 5min workouts to get the blood going, etc, but I have Ulnar neuropathy in my elbows, beat up knees and lower back stiffness/sciatica.

I love my job, but reducing computer time is not an option, so looking at a nicer chair to help. Looking to stay under $500 if possible. Needs to be posture reinforcing/ergonomic. I'm 6'0" 185 if that helps. MUST be breathable or mesh like material.

 

[Charmingmander]

Herman Miller Aeron is the only answer. Ever.

 

[Modoc]

Herman Miller Aeron is the only answer. Ever.

This, but won’t be under $500. I’ll be honest though the extra cost for the Herman Miller Aeron is offset by comfort and adjustability.

 

[Charmingmander]

This, but won’t be under $500. I’ll be honest though the extra cost for the Herman Miller Aeron is offset by comfort and adjustability.

Mine was free It's amazing what large companies just toss out when they buy new shit. Especially when the old shit is practically new and the new shit is cheap as fuck.

 

[Gustav7]

This, but won’t be under $500. I’ll be honest though the extra cost for the Herman Miller Aeron is offset by comfort and adjustability.

Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't say that lol. I've seen that as the top pick in a few articles.

Anyone write that shit off on their taxes for work use? Any places where it's cheaper? $1275 is just the base price.

Has anyone used the Herman Miller Mirra 2? Seems to also have good reviews

 

[Nik H]

Herman Miller Aeron is the only answer. Ever.

^^^This...worth every penny

 

[spife7980]

 

[Modoc]

Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't say that lol. I've seen that as the top pick in a few articles.

Anyone write that shit off on their taxes for work use? Any places where it's cheaper? $1275 is just the base price.

Has anyone used the Herman Miller Mirra 2? Seems to also have good reviews

Try Craig’s list or FB Market Place, especially if you are in/near a large city. My employer bought my first one, then Prison Industries started making a clone that I couldn’t get comfortable in So I bought my own.

 

[Modoc]

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It doesn’t look like it is setup to mount 3 x 27” monitors

 

[Gustav7]

View attachment 8252369

Just what every tree service shop/office needs. Most of our guys sit on recycled wooden rollie chairs or squeaky china chairs pulled from a dumpster.

 

[Gustav7]

Herman Miller Aeron is the only answer. Ever.

Ok so what size then? lol.... I'm thinking B?

6' - 185lbs, skinny, lanky, fidgety, back arches too much naturally, sciatica pain occasionally, etc.

 

[Charmingmander]

Ok so what size then? lol.... I'm thinking B?

6' - 185lbs, skinny, lanky, fidgety, back arches too much naturally, sciatica pain occasionally, etc.

I don't know the sizes personally. They probably have a chart.

 

[jt526]

I’ll go against the grain, I never liked the Arron. For me, steelcase leap v2 with headrest, look for used local or rebuilds online to hit that price point.

 

[Gustav7]

I’ll go against the grain, I never liked the Arron. For me, steelcase leap v2 with headrest, look for used local or rebuilds online to hit that price point.

What's your build and why didn't you like it?

 

[carbonbased]

The only way to figure out if it’ll work with your body is to sit in one.

Otherwise it’s like buying shoes based on how other people say they fit. Chairs aren’t like a t-shirt. Must try it out.

I have an Aeron I bought for myself. I tried for two decades, on and off, to find/scam a good chair for less than $500. Impossible, unless, like the fellow above, you nab a newish one from a corp.

When covid hit and WFH became the norm, I ponied up. $1600 for a full-boat polished aluminum Aeron. I sit in it for 8-9 hrs/weekday and I’ll have it forever, so why not?

They have a 12 year warranty, so that’s why almost all of the $400 used ones you’ll see are beat to shit. Corps get rid of them for a reason.

Oh, they “look” ok (a testament to their quality), but once you sit in them and try to adjust something, knobs will spin and nothing happens. Back supports are broken. Levers are stuck.

Take it from me, unless you are lucky, just buy one. And from what I remember, the Mirra is basically an Aeron without a mesh back. I liked the office supplied one I had for a while.

For me, a mesh seat is nice. Less sweaty.

What I mean by that is try working on a vinyl coffee shop seat for 8 hrs. Wet balls suck lol and I am not a sweaty guy. Happens to a lesser extent on a wood chair. Never thought that would happen! I’d read reviews about how a chair is sweaty and scoff, as that has never happened to me in any foam or mesh-seated office chair.

 

[carbonbased]

Go to an upscale office furniture place. Try ‘em out.

Around me there’s a Room & Board and Design Within Reach (what a misnomer of a store name lol).

Not sure if R&B still carries Herman Miller though…

Barring total luck, the only deal that is to be had (that I could figure out, anyway) is to find a newish Herman Miller-type side chair with a mesh back (and maybe seat). No wheels, but those can be pretty darn comfy, especially if you’re not in them 8-9 hrs (like the OP).

Some have armrests and some may not. I don’t use armrests (shoulder starts hurting) but it’s a consideration.

 

[Gustav7]

The only way to figure out if it’ll work with your body is to sit in one.

Otherwise it’s like buying shoes based on how other people say they fit. Chairs aren’t like a t-shirt. Must try it out.

I have an Aeron I bought for myself. I tried for two decades, on and off, to find/scam a good chair for less than $500. Impossible, unless, like the fellow above, you nab a newish one from a corp.

When covid hit and WFH became the norm, I ponied up. $1600 for a full-boat polished aluminum Aeron. I sit in it for 8-9 hrs/weekday and I’ll have it forever, so why not?

They have a 12 year warranty, so that’s why almost all of the $400 used ones you’ll see are beat to shit. Corps get rid of them for a reason.

Oh, they “look” ok (a testament to their quality), but once you sit in them and try to adjust something, knobs will spin and nothing happens. Back supports are broken. Levers are stuck.

Take it from me, unless you are lucky, just buy one. And from what I remember, the Mirra is basically an Aeron without a mesh back. I liked the office supplied one I had for a while.

For me, a mesh seat is nice. Less sweaty.

What I mean by that is try working on a vinyl coffee shop seat for 8 hrs. Wet balls suck lol and I am not a sweaty guy. Happens to a lesser extent on a wood chair. Never thought that would happen! I’d read reviews about how a chair is sweaty and scoff, as that has never happened to me in any foam or mesh-seated office chair.

Ya I'm going to try and find some around here (Columbus, OH) and go sit in one or a few.

Facebook marketplace has a bunch for sale, but like you said, hard to find one that isn't used and abused. Might be able to find some new with the tag on em for discounted or something. Again, I'm not a 8-9hr office guy, but I can't go on with these shitty chairs we have and winter time is usually more computer time per day.

Any of you run bluetooth keyboards for laptops? I do not have a work desktop, we're all Macbook Pro here.

 

[6.5SH]

Ya, I know, lame topic but googling "ergonomic office chairs for fidgety people who carry guns" doesn't yield a good response.

For my office guys has anyone invested in a good chair and what'd you like?

I'm an Arborist by trade and do tree risk assessments and tree health diagnosis, so half my time is on properties, but 40-60% of my time is in the office on my laptop. Knees and back just hate sitting like this and the shitty chairs we have don't make it better. I do behavioral shit to help like taking breaks, quick 5min workouts to get the blood going, etc, but I have Ulnar neuropathy in my elbows, beat up knees and lower back stiffness/sciatica.

I love my job, but reducing computer time is not an option, so looking at a nicer chair to help. Looking to stay under $500 if possible. Needs to be posture reinforcing/ergonomic. I'm 6'0" 185 if that helps. MUST be breathable or mesh like material.

You could possibly get your doctor/specialist to write a prescription for one.

 

[308pirate]

Ya, I know, lame topic but googling "ergonomic office chairs for fidgety people who carry guns" doesn't yield a good response.

For my office guys has anyone invested in a good chair and what'd you like?

I'm an Arborist by trade and do tree risk assessments and tree health diagnosis, so half my time is on properties, but 40-60% of my time is in the office on my laptop. Knees and back just hate sitting like this and the shitty chairs we have don't make it better. I do behavioral shit to help like taking breaks, quick 5min workouts to get the blood going, etc, but I have Ulnar neuropathy in my elbows, beat up knees and lower back stiffness/sciatica.

I love my job, but reducing computer time is not an option, so looking at a nicer chair to help. Looking to stay under $500 if possible. Needs to be posture reinforcing/ergonomic. I'm 6'0" 185 if that helps. MUST be breathable or mesh like material.

Ever try standing?

 

[Nik H]

Ya I'm going to try and find some around here (Columbus, OH) and go sit in one or a few.

Facebook marketplace has a bunch for sale, but like you said, hard to find one that isn't used and abused. Might be able to find some new with the tag on em for discounted or something. Again, I'm not a 8-9hr office guy, but I can't go on with these shitty chairs we have and winter time is usually more computer time per day.

Any of you run bluetooth keyboards for laptops? I do not have a work desktop, we're all Macbook Pro here.

I don't find any benefit to the BT keyboards and stuff but an external monitor is essential IMHO

 

[Nik H]

Ever try standing?

View attachment 8252571

I use a stand-up desk and it is pretty great. I do both to keep everything in balance.

 

[Gustav7]

Ever try standing?

View attachment 8252571

Yes thats on the list too, especially for winter. But generally, after walking around condo associations and the rolling hills of rich golf communities I like to sit for a bit. We don't really have a true office, more like half constructed squares with plywoods desks. So I'm just going to make a stand-up height spot in my little office for that, then a better chair for everything else.

 

[Gustav7]

You could possibly get your doctor/specialist to write a prescription for one.

Didn't think about that. May have to try that out.

 

[carbonbased]

Any of you run bluetooth keyboards for laptops?

Get a wired keyboard and mouse IMHO. Don’t have to deal with charging. Use a hub so if you need to grab and go, unplug just one cord and jet.

I use a Caldigit TS3, but they make others:

Docks & Hubs – CalDigit

www.caldigit.com

And an external monitor is tits.

 

[Bigfatcock]

50% of your day is spent in a chair. Don’t cheap out.

 

[Franko]

I have owned a Herman Miller Aeron, Steelcase Leap, and Steelcase Gesture. The Aeron is hands down the winner because of the material the seat is made of. It flexes to fit your butt and doesn't break down like the foams that are in other chairs. The mesh also seems to reduce sweat buildup and is cooler.

I bought mine as a second from Madison Seating. I think the discount was about 50% off retail. If my current one died I would order another Aeron that day.

 

[mccannicalbob]

Herman Miller Mira is amazing and closer to your price point.

 

[AmmoFort]

Got my wife an X-Chair. No complaints. She has her own office now but when she was in more of an open-ish low wall cubicle setting everyone would ask if they could try her chair and not a one didn’t love it. Course they all had employer supplied cheapy chairs.
X2 K-Sport Management Chair <<< that one is over your budget, but they have other less expensive models.

​

 

[Gustav7]

I have owned a Herman Miller Aeron, Steelcase Leap, and Steelcase Gesture. The Aeron is hands down the winner because of the material the seat is made of. It flexes to fit your butt and doesn't break down like the foams that are in other chairs. The mesh also seems to reduce sweat buildup and is cooler.

I bought mine as a second from Madison Seating. I think the discount was about 50% off retail. If my current one died I would order another Aeron that day.

The mesh is going to be a big positive for me. While I’m not a big guy, I am a sweater and the airflow is a desired trait.

I’ve found a couple of the Aeron lightly used or NIB for 30-50% off msrp. I’ll probably end up grabbing one of those provided it’s actually “like new”.

 

[R_A_W]

We have the Herman Miller Cosm throughout our office & they're universally loved. We all sit for hours & barely even use our standing desks. IMO these offer a little more support than the Aeron, but it's been a long time since I sat in one of those.

We paid just over 1/3 MSRP for new chairs (MSRP on our config is ~$1600), which would put it right about your price range

This, but the mid-height version:

 

[R_A_W]

Also, Oct-Dec is generally peak purchasing for office equipment by businesses (for tax reasons & as they prepare for new hires) & summer months for schools. If you can wait until the very end of Dec for inventory clearance or Jan-Feb, you may find better deals

 

[Bigfatcock]

Got my wife an X-Chair. No complaints. She has her own office now but when she was in more of an open-ish low wall cubicle setting everyone would ask if they could try her chair and not a one didn’t love it. Course they all had employer supplied cheapy chairs.​

X2 K-Sport Management Chair <<< that one is over your budget, but they have other less expensive models.​

​

​

View attachment 8253252

I’ve had one of these for years. It’s an amazing chair.

Stand up desks are gay.

 

[R_A_W]

Any of you run bluetooth keyboards for laptops? I do not have a work desktop, we're all Macbook Pro here.

Yes.

For those of us using Macs, we have the larger Apple Keyboards w/ a number pad and wireless Apple mice & these docks to connect to two 27" external monitors. That dock does rearrange your windows somewhat when you unplug it, unfortunately.

 

[carbonbased]

Yes.

For those of us using Macs, we have the larger Apple Keyboards w/ a number pad and wireless Apple mice & these docks to connect to two 27" external monitors. That dock does rearrange your windows somewhat when you unplug it, unfortunately.

You accidentally linked the words “these docks” to your chair pic.

 

[carbonbased]

Got my wife an X-Chair. No complaints. She has her own office now but when she was in more of an open-ish low wall cubicle setting everyone would ask if they could try her chair and not a one didn’t love it. Course they all had employer supplied cheapy chairs.​

X2 K-Sport Management Chair <<< that one is over your budget, but they have other less expensive models.​

​

​

View attachment 8253252

I’ve seen (what I think is) the steel case version of this chair and have always been intrigued. Never gotten to sit in one.

I think if I was a big “lean way back and talk on the phone a lot” sort of guy that headrest would be the shit. I usually am doing more task-y stuff which requires me to sit upright.

Looks cool though! Must be comfy.

 

[R_A_W]

You accidentally linked the words “these docks” to your chair pic.

Oops. Fixed above.

USB 3.0 Docking Station, IVIIN Universal Docking Station Dual Monitor 4K HDMI and Displayport 5K, Triple Display Displaylink USB C Dock Compatible with USB A/C Laptop MacBook M1/M2 Dell HP Lenovo

 

[BenW]

I’ve seen (what I think is) the steel case version of this chair and have always been intrigued. Never gotten to sit in one.

I think if I was a big “lean way back and talk on the phone a lot” sort of guy that headrest would be the shit. I usually am doing more task-y stuff which requires me to sit upright.

Looks cool though! Must be comfy.

I sat in the equivalent Steelcase chair at work for years (no headrest). It was comfortable enough and held up well, and is nicely adjustable. Too expensive for me to buy for home use now that I’m back in the office post-covidiocy.

 

[Gustav7]

Appreciate all the input everyone... I'm going to go sit on an Aeron and see how it feels.

Like a good scope...my budget just got blown out