Gaming Chair

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GoodRevrnd

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
6,801
581
126
I don't find my Steelcase Leap that great for gaming. If you go into lazy kick way back strategy game or youtube rabbithole mode, it simply doesn't recline and reposition enough to accommodate. Of course, it's built for proper desk posture so I can't fault that.

Just found the Steelcase Gesture though. Improved range of motion is intriguing. Anyone try this yet?
https://www.steelcase.com/products/office-chairs/gesture/
 
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Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
Wow I am really surprised you had that kind of issue. While I usually lean back when gaming in my Aeron, (I put my legs up, have my keyboard on my lap, and the mouse on the desk next to me), I do sit up straight in it while doing other things (like playing guitar or bass while recording on the computer).

Did you get the fully adjustable version or just the base model (mine is the fully adjustable (i.e. tilt limiter+seat angle adjustment, fully adjustable arms, adjustable posture fit back support), which could be part of the reason)?

The problem seems to be, pretty much 100% of my use of it is using keyboard/mouse, and for all of that it's a sitting forward position where my back isn't even in contact with the chair back - and that's with the chair adjusted for 'lean forward'. So the next issue is that the seat itself just isn't that 'soft' or comfortable compared to padded chairs I've tried at Costco. It's not too bad, but there's strain and it's just not that comfortable, though of course it's an improvement over the wooden dining chair I've long used (I think). As I sit it the Aeron, there's noticable discomfort.

I think it is the 'fully adjustable' chair - it has two levers on one side, an up and down level on the other, and some round thing to turn.

It might seem strange but for this sitting forward, that simple 'dining chair' type construct if padded might be more comfortable (no back support).
 

DigDog

Lifer
Jun 3, 2011
14,796
3,081
136
looks like i might be late here, (although, this thread should be in Peripherials, not gaming) but if you want a chair that will really make a difference, get a medical office chair.

you will have to look for a second-hand one, as new ones go for $500-1k. However these things are indestructible, and shouldn't be too hard to find one when any big local office goes belly up.
 
May 11, 2008
23,125
1,551
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The Marcus office chair at Ikea is a very fine chair to sit in.
Especially the vissle dark grey.
It is even used in the super girl series. Lena Luthor sits her very fine toosh in it , it is either her or Samantha Arias. I forgot. :)
It does have a weight limit of 110kg or 242 pounds.



markus-bureaustoel-zwart__0392583_PE564516_S4.JPG
 

Stg-Flame

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2007
3,725
658
126
Guys, this was a thread from late 2017 and the TC never replied after his original post back in August.
 

ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,139
236
106
I use to sit in an Aeron chair for years at my old job. To be honest it was just ok.

I wouldn't spend any money on any chair I couldn't sit in and test out first. Then have a returnable no questions asked policy for 30 days just in case you get a lemmon.

I ended up getting a chair from office depot/max the workpro 1000... reason why I like it, is because the seat can adjust forward and backwards making back support with more pressure than an aeron chair had. Plus when I sat in it pretty much felt like a really good fit to me... so I paid my 80 bucks and took it home. With adjust about arms up/down and tilt in and out, I am pretty happy with it 230 lbs and still feels like new after 6 months. I splurged 20 bucks and bought the 2 year extended warranty just in case this thing started to fall apart after the first year. If I couldn't find a chair that I liked locally, I would have spent the cash to buy an Aeron chair.

That's my advice, I'd never just buy an chair from an X-gaming company online without sitting in it first... since they are more about looks and leds and speakers built into the chair than...comfort or ergonomically features.
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
I bought and use an Aeron chair, and while it's better than the dining room chair, it gets somewhat uncomfortable. I'd still like to find a really comfortable chair. I've sat in the selections at places like office supply stores or Costco's small selection, and they're not bad, but still not that comfortable for hours and hours.
 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,243
556
126
I use to sit in an Aeron chair for years at my old job. To be honest it was just ok.
...
I ended up getting a chair from office depot/max the workpro 1000... reason why I like it, is because the seat can adjust forward and backwards making back support with more pressure than an aeron chair had.
Wonder if you had the fully adjustable model or the base model of the Aeron. The fully adjustable can adjust the seat angle forwards/backwards to have it such that you sit into the back more firmly or less so. You can even set the angle in which it will stop reclining (i.e. if you want it to only lean back a couple of degrees, you can set that, and you can increase/decrease the force it takes to lean back). Again, it all depends on the options on your chair. Previously to keep things simple, there was at one time a model that was simply called "fully adjustable" which essentially meant it had all the features. Now looking at their website, you have to select all the various options (i.e. adjustable back support, tilt limiter and seat angle, fully adjustable arms, and then obviously the seat size/color/material).

Comfort aside (you need a chair that fits your body, so all things equal with a chair that fits you), to me, the real reason was the 12 year warranty. I was so tired of buying a new chair every 1-2 years as the foam/padding/mechanics broke-down and spending another $200 replacing it... If you have a problem, just call them up, and they will confirm the chair is still under warranty and send out a repair technician to fix it (yes you read that correct, they will send the tech to you, not you sending the chair back to them). I had them come out once to fix the back support which broke, they also took a complete once over of the entire chair since they were there, checking all the seals of the pneumatic cylinder and bearings and all the controls and webbing for stresses that might need to be replaced). Good luck with most other companies if you have a issue (usually you will be without your chair for 2-4 weeks while it is being serviced/repaired if you are even under warranty after finding a way to box it up and spend $50 to ship it.. they hope the hassle and expense is enough that you simply say screw it and buy another chair).

Mine is well out of warranty now, but I more than got my money's worth and it is still functioning without problems. Again, you still need a chair that fits your body, and for some people the Aeron isn't the right fit (about the only place you can not adjust is the depth of the seat other than in the sizing of the chair).
 
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ericlp

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,139
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Not sure what model I had. Could have been just a run of the mill one. But, yes... the key is getting a chair that fits your body and that you like it... No amount of money is going to fix that. Yeah... I am sure the warranty is great for that chair, and to be honest, I would have got one, if I didn't find one I liked in a local store. I was really expecting to buy the 299 chair at office depot, but, after comparing the two, my back felt better in the officepro 1000 chair. So, it pays to sit in them in person.
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
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There are a lot of good options outside for herman miller. I've had a number of steel cases I've enjoyed at various jobs. At home I have a samsonite one that is probably 15 years old and the padding is still great. However I'm a solid believer you need to spend about $300+ to get an okay quality chair. Past that more money tends to buy you more adjustments and "name brand"

"gaming" chairs I just don't get. Typically they are terrible quality and garish. Unless you're buying a cockpit setup with sim mount points I don't get it. Even then getting and actual car seat and mounting it is probably a better idea. Junkyard shop and mount it. Most car seats would be $1k + if you bought them new.
 
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Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,243
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Yeah, I like some of the steel case chairs as well. They also have a 12 year warranty on all the major components of the chairs (padding, pneumatic cylinder, adjustable armrests, casters/wheels). Again, don't expect to pay less than $600 for something designed with good back support and good quality foam (pretty much for any brand will be this way). But that cost is well worth it for a chair that will last 4-10x longer than the 1-2 years the $200-300 "gaming" chairs will last.

That said, I know not everyone can afford that much on the chair, especially if you are a teenager, or in college. But for an adult with a decent job, you will save a lot of money on the long run getting a decent chair vs the throw-away chair...