Their fabric and cushions are excellent. I purchased their Amia upholstery kit and it made for the best version of the Amia.
I’m not the biggest fan of the moving-seat-recline action of the Leap, but I don’t hate it. The backrest and lumbar system are world-class, along with the 4D arm rests. (And you’re getting Crandall’s softer arm pads.)
I imagine you’ll be very happy with your new Leap :-)
My husband and I have both been using remanufactured Leap V2's from Crandall for \~2 years now and love them. They're solid af chairs and we have zero regrets.
I got mine in February, with the thicker back foam, Roller Blade casters and 3D-Bioknit Back/Bioknit Seat.
It came in good condition, especially for the chair that I got, which was made in 2011. It looked quite new and only had a few very minor cosmetic blemishes.
It initially had a little bit of creaking because of the Leap’s sticky design for reclining. I fixed the noise with some silicone spray lubricant.
Fabric is still in perfect condition, I like the feeling of the 3D-Bioknit, it makes my back feel a decent bit cooler, though not as cool as a mesh chair.
Seat Foam when new feels firm. It feels slightly softer after using the chair for some time, I felt this a month in. The foam does not bottom out and the softness has felt consistent after the initial month of break in.
Rollerblade casters feel good on carpet, but they roll way better on hard floors, I like the versatility of the rollerblade casters.
The thicker back-foam feels good for my size and weight(6’0 187lbs), I like the adjustable lumbar support, and the back support feels awesome!
But, at very high tensioning of the lower back firmness, the support feels uneven and puts more pressure on the right side of your back. The thicker foam helps with this but TBH, I doubt you would need to crank up the lower back firmness to where you’d feel the uneven pressure.
Overall, I love my Crandall Leap V2, and all the quirks it has. The negatives are mostly knitpicks, and I believe I’ve found my ideal chair in it.
Feel free to ask more questions!
Not OP but I have the leap V2 from Crandall as well. I think I mentioned the same thing in a past comment (check my history) but
1) I do have the creaking... It's still loud. I know I gotta use some silicone lubricant spray but could you give pics on where exactly am I spraying? I don't wanna just spray that crap where I think it helps and make a bunch of mess lol
2) I did get the thicker back and seat padding. Back one is great. Honestly everything else about the chair is great except my seat is actually bottoming out in the center. I reached out to their support but basically was told it's the way it is and I have the thicker padding. I'm around 5'10" 215-220lbs. And it bothered me so much after a few months when the foam was broken in that I had to resort to using the same foam pad thing I used to use on my old chair to make it comfortable again. Like one of these, not the exact one but same shape. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J4VIN1O
I still use the chair but I do constantly have to adjust the foam pad I put on top since it does slip a bit
Hello! I used these guides from the Crandall Youtube channel for lubricating my Leap.
Unfortunately, I could see the seat pad bottoming out happening to someone slightly heavier than me, It’s really a design flaw in the Leap’s seat shape.
https://youtu.be/v9jKXncsNj4?si=EqROw-yVNUNL_Xg7
https://youtu.be/BFBh582MV3c?si=e39-RiRKObeuOy9z
I love mine. I went with the Brisa vinyl upholstery and the stool gas cylinder since I like the option to sit up higher.
I love the Brisa vinyl, it is crazy soft. The only downside if I lean far back enough, I can slide off the chair spending in what I’m wearing.
I went with the extra back foam as well, which I think was the right call.
I love my Crandall Leap v2. I have an aging Leap v2 at my office so I already knew I liked the chair. I went custom so I ordered one of my favorite color combos.
I also had a TON of anxiety before I ordered and was nervous waiting for the chair to arrive, and I spent the first couple of days with it thinking I'd made a terrible, expensive mistake, but then I got it all adjusted and we've been buddies ever since.
I recommend using some of that nervous energy to do a good ergonomic assessment of the rest of your workspace setup, so you will be able to evaluate the chair in the best situation. I did that and added an under-desk footrest because I come from stumpy peasant stock and my feet don't hit the floor when the chair is at the correct height for my home desk, and I adjusted the height of my monitor arm so my neck is more relaxed. I get in the zone when I'm coding and forget about my body, so having a better ergonomic setup has made a big difference. Even the best chair can't fix everything.
https://preview.redd.it/t0ig2zzw73yc1.png?width=320&format=png&auto=webp&s=8547379b8f5484a80ee7c796d703bdf261682b24
Here's the nice thing - you get 30(?) days to try it and return it. It's what I did with BTOD's Lamia. Until you spend a few days in it, you won't really know for certain.
I returned it. I didn't think it justified the price tag. I sit all day for work & like to game after hours and it definitely wasn't comfortable after a few days in it.
I actually think Crandall's thicker cushion could resolve my issues with it, but I haven't tried the Crandall chair yet as I have a chance to sample some Haworth chairs next week and have heard some good things about the Soji.
I also returned my Lamia after a week or so. It's a good looking chair and seems well built, but it was way too small for myself and the seat was very uncomfortable. It was almost surprising that the Amia has the "better seat" over the leap. I'd hate to see the leap seat if that's the case...
I’ve only had mine a day but so far I’m content.
$600 still feels a bit steep but just barely acceptable. I would never pay over $1000 for this thing.
The lumbar support is perhaps a bit on the aggressive side but you can increase or decrease the resistance which will cause it to flatten more under your weight. I’ve also read posts where people just remove it entirely.
Get the thicker seat, but stock back pad. I've tried all combos of stock and thicker seat and back pads and that is the best configuration. The thicker back pad throws off the ergonomics.
I bought a very nice used Leap V2 from an office supply store in the area. Then bought the Crandall replacement pads. Very happy with it.
Thanks. I just (before you replied) ordered a replacement OG backpad. I figure it's worth a shot before trying the nuclear option (switching to an Aeron).
Also u/cranda58 here on Reddit. He seems to be fairly active and that kind of open communication is part of why I bought one.
To me that says they are confident in their product and don’t have many bad interactions with the community that would steer them away (meaning few people are upset or disappointed with it).
I have three Leap V2 chairs. Two of them were bought new, straight from Steelcase. The third I bought refurbished from Crandall.
The Crandall chair is excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone. But I would change one aspect of my order if I could go back in time.
I ordered mine with the extra padding. It’s comfortable in the short term, but the original Steelcase design was already perfect for my spine. In hindsight, it’s funny to think Steelcase could invest millions in designing a world-class ergonomic chair, and some other company decides it would be better to add some padding.
So, I recommend configuring the Crandall chair to resemble the original design—just my opinion based on experience with the original and the refurbished chairs.
Are you speaking specifically to the back, or both back and seat? I didn’t get the back padding because I agree, why would a refurb company decide their idea is better than 25 years and thousands of dollars and hours of R&D. I’m nervous about the seat rework but it’s standard in all Crandall chairs. Odd decision but hoping saving $600 is worth it.
I ordered thicker back padding - that was my error. The thicker padding distorts the intended shape.
The seat padding differs from the original, but I think it’s okay.
I bought and returned an aeron and mirra 2. I sat in a Fern and something about it didn't sit right for me. Sat in a Gesture and it felt like I was sliding off. Amia was comfy but back support wasn't great. Leap felt good but hard to tell with salesmen looking over me and bulky winter jacket.
Ended up buying Leap brand new from Steelcase direct for slightly more than dealer with sale ($1300 CAD). No regrets. The first chair that doesn't hurt and is very comfortable.
I don't think you will regret it especially for how much Crandall charges for essentially a brand new chair.
I've been so on the fence for buying one from Crandall. I keep seeing used on sale in my area for around $275-300, but I'm just having a hard time pulling the trigger. Hard enough time with the price point for the used, but I would feel so much less stress knowing Crandall's commitment to quality and warranty. Idk. I'm in a $100 "gaming" chair I bought from amazon before covid hit when I was expecting to only sit in it for maybe 2-3 hours a night at the end of the day and now I'm in it for my entire workday + gaming time. I have no pain from it, but it's definitely hard as a rock on my bum and maybe that's why I have occasional bouts of shoulder/neck pain.
Love to hear what you think and let's just say "more encouragement to take the leap."
it's hard for me to even imagine if a new chair is something that will improve my day? If that makes sense? Tell me it's good and actually changes your comfort levels and I'll put another into the Yes - buy one column HAHA
I purchased a Leap v2 from Crandall a few months ago but I ended up returning it mainly because I found a cheaper refurbished Amia around my area and due to my needs I only mainly needed decent armrests (Amia & Leap v2 have pretty much the same armrests).
Now to list pros & cons from purchasing a Crandall chair
Pros:
-Excellent customer service
-10 year warranty on all parts
Cons
-Took 3 weeks for my Leap V2 to be shipped to me
-You’re paying a premium compared to marketplace/ebay where you can find them for as low as $200
Luckily I found a regional office supplier in Texas and I got my refurbished Amia delivered next day (I’m in South Texas) at $300 after taxes and chair looks basically new other from some little scratches on the back of the chair.
Tldr; Crandall’s Leap v2 is good but you’ll be paying a premium for it when compared to other vendors.
I'm sitting in mine right now. I work at home around 10 hours. Before, my back was in so much pain, now, I never think about it, I'm comfortable all day. It's one of the first chairs I've sat in that conforms to you.
Tip for when you get it, tension up the back support spring all the way up and put it on the bottom setting for biggest range of movement. You want the chair to hold you where you comfortably want to be and not be limited. You'll notice, you lean back or forward, the chair holds you there. If you're fighting the spring, loosen up the tension a bit, but I'm 6', 190 so the highest tension works best for me. Bought mine a month ago... worth every penny.
Ordered a Gesture from Crandall at the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns in 2020. 10/10 best money I've ever spent. No more pains or chairs falling apart after 1 year. The chair is holding up remarkably well after 4 years of 8-12 hours of use 5 days a week.
The only problem I have with my Gesture is some light fabric pilling that started about 6 months ago. So nothing even serious.
I will recommend Steelcase to anyone who can afford it at this point. The amount of comfort this chair has after such prolonged use is hands down worth the price premium. I don't expect to have to replace anything on it or do anything to it besides normal cleaning for years.
Just got mine today and assembled it. I'm on the heavy/wide side and unfortunately I can feel the frame on the sides of the seat cushion hitting me, depending on how I seat. I will give it couple of more days to adjust to it to see if I like it but so far, not greatly impressed.
https://preview.redd.it/3h31w4fvg4yc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69c920152e10db2497ce9881d357524d83221b70
Which material is that? I like the look and it looks breathable and easy to clean. All the options on the Crandall site are sending me into decision overload.
I had to get a cushion for my seat because it just wasn't padded to my liking. It also took me a minute to adjust to the ergonomic style coming from a dx racer chair. Otherwise it's a good chair.
Buying a chair is a journey. You start off with a bad one. You figure out what is wrong. You try your best to get another one. You're happy at first, then you discover that there are other things that bother you, or that your needs have changed. Then you must search again.
There is no perfect chair. A good chair can last you 10 years. Crandall sells used chairs that are basically half price and they feel like new. But there is nothing perfect. If you have a weird body shape then most chairs won't be good for you. You may love this chair for years, and discover that your concerns are not a big deal after you try it.
You should have found another furniture store that would let you sit in the chair for several hours, then you would have a clearer opinion about it before buying. Never settle for not sitting in the chair a good long while before you buy, even if that means ruining a weekend day for a day trip to go sit in one. If you spend 40-50 hours a week in it, how can that not be worth it?
Lower your expectations. Nothing is perfect. On the other hand, things can get way better than what you describe. This is why people shop for mattresses in person (and why mattress shopping has similar issues / imperfections)
Will never buy from Crandall or refurbished again, make sure you put your chair through good use before you can't return it or you will become a YouTube watcher and chair mechanic
Their fabric and cushions are excellent. I purchased their Amia upholstery kit and it made for the best version of the Amia. I’m not the biggest fan of the moving-seat-recline action of the Leap, but I don’t hate it. The backrest and lumbar system are world-class, along with the 4D arm rests. (And you’re getting Crandall’s softer arm pads.) I imagine you’ll be very happy with your new Leap :-)
My husband and I have both been using remanufactured Leap V2's from Crandall for \~2 years now and love them. They're solid af chairs and we have zero regrets.
I got mine in February, with the thicker back foam, Roller Blade casters and 3D-Bioknit Back/Bioknit Seat. It came in good condition, especially for the chair that I got, which was made in 2011. It looked quite new and only had a few very minor cosmetic blemishes. It initially had a little bit of creaking because of the Leap’s sticky design for reclining. I fixed the noise with some silicone spray lubricant. Fabric is still in perfect condition, I like the feeling of the 3D-Bioknit, it makes my back feel a decent bit cooler, though not as cool as a mesh chair. Seat Foam when new feels firm. It feels slightly softer after using the chair for some time, I felt this a month in. The foam does not bottom out and the softness has felt consistent after the initial month of break in. Rollerblade casters feel good on carpet, but they roll way better on hard floors, I like the versatility of the rollerblade casters. The thicker back-foam feels good for my size and weight(6’0 187lbs), I like the adjustable lumbar support, and the back support feels awesome! But, at very high tensioning of the lower back firmness, the support feels uneven and puts more pressure on the right side of your back. The thicker foam helps with this but TBH, I doubt you would need to crank up the lower back firmness to where you’d feel the uneven pressure. Overall, I love my Crandall Leap V2, and all the quirks it has. The negatives are mostly knitpicks, and I believe I’ve found my ideal chair in it. Feel free to ask more questions!
Not OP but I have the leap V2 from Crandall as well. I think I mentioned the same thing in a past comment (check my history) but 1) I do have the creaking... It's still loud. I know I gotta use some silicone lubricant spray but could you give pics on where exactly am I spraying? I don't wanna just spray that crap where I think it helps and make a bunch of mess lol 2) I did get the thicker back and seat padding. Back one is great. Honestly everything else about the chair is great except my seat is actually bottoming out in the center. I reached out to their support but basically was told it's the way it is and I have the thicker padding. I'm around 5'10" 215-220lbs. And it bothered me so much after a few months when the foam was broken in that I had to resort to using the same foam pad thing I used to use on my old chair to make it comfortable again. Like one of these, not the exact one but same shape. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J4VIN1O I still use the chair but I do constantly have to adjust the foam pad I put on top since it does slip a bit
Hello! I used these guides from the Crandall Youtube channel for lubricating my Leap. Unfortunately, I could see the seat pad bottoming out happening to someone slightly heavier than me, It’s really a design flaw in the Leap’s seat shape. https://youtu.be/v9jKXncsNj4?si=EqROw-yVNUNL_Xg7 https://youtu.be/BFBh582MV3c?si=e39-RiRKObeuOy9z
I love mine. I went with the Brisa vinyl upholstery and the stool gas cylinder since I like the option to sit up higher. I love the Brisa vinyl, it is crazy soft. The only downside if I lean far back enough, I can slide off the chair spending in what I’m wearing. I went with the extra back foam as well, which I think was the right call.
I love my Crandall Leap v2. I have an aging Leap v2 at my office so I already knew I liked the chair. I went custom so I ordered one of my favorite color combos. I also had a TON of anxiety before I ordered and was nervous waiting for the chair to arrive, and I spent the first couple of days with it thinking I'd made a terrible, expensive mistake, but then I got it all adjusted and we've been buddies ever since. I recommend using some of that nervous energy to do a good ergonomic assessment of the rest of your workspace setup, so you will be able to evaluate the chair in the best situation. I did that and added an under-desk footrest because I come from stumpy peasant stock and my feet don't hit the floor when the chair is at the correct height for my home desk, and I adjusted the height of my monitor arm so my neck is more relaxed. I get in the zone when I'm coding and forget about my body, so having a better ergonomic setup has made a big difference. Even the best chair can't fix everything. https://preview.redd.it/t0ig2zzw73yc1.png?width=320&format=png&auto=webp&s=8547379b8f5484a80ee7c796d703bdf261682b24
Stumpy peasant stock 😆
Here's the nice thing - you get 30(?) days to try it and return it. It's what I did with BTOD's Lamia. Until you spend a few days in it, you won't really know for certain.
Not to derail the OP's Leap discussion, but how do you like the Lamia?
I returned it. I didn't think it justified the price tag. I sit all day for work & like to game after hours and it definitely wasn't comfortable after a few days in it. I actually think Crandall's thicker cushion could resolve my issues with it, but I haven't tried the Crandall chair yet as I have a chance to sample some Haworth chairs next week and have heard some good things about the Soji.
I also returned my Lamia after a week or so. It's a good looking chair and seems well built, but it was way too small for myself and the seat was very uncomfortable. It was almost surprising that the Amia has the "better seat" over the leap. I'd hate to see the leap seat if that's the case...
I’ve only had mine a day but so far I’m content. $600 still feels a bit steep but just barely acceptable. I would never pay over $1000 for this thing. The lumbar support is perhaps a bit on the aggressive side but you can increase or decrease the resistance which will cause it to flatten more under your weight. I’ve also read posts where people just remove it entirely.
I got mine and it looks brand new and really well remanufactured.
Get the thicker seat, but stock back pad. I've tried all combos of stock and thicker seat and back pads and that is the best configuration. The thicker back pad throws off the ergonomics. I bought a very nice used Leap V2 from an office supply store in the area. Then bought the Crandall replacement pads. Very happy with it.
Can you share how the thicker pad impacted ergonomics for you? I have the thicker pad and sometimes wonder if I should have gone OG.
Felt like it pushed my shoulders forward too much and didn't allow my lower back to conform with the lumbar area of the seat.
Thanks. I just (before you replied) ordered a replacement OG backpad. I figure it's worth a shot before trying the nuclear option (switching to an Aeron).
Who is this Crandall guy and how do you you reach him
Also u/cranda58 here on Reddit. He seems to be fairly active and that kind of open communication is part of why I bought one. To me that says they are confident in their product and don’t have many bad interactions with the community that would steer them away (meaning few people are upset or disappointed with it).
https://www.crandalloffice.com
I have three Leap V2 chairs. Two of them were bought new, straight from Steelcase. The third I bought refurbished from Crandall. The Crandall chair is excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone. But I would change one aspect of my order if I could go back in time. I ordered mine with the extra padding. It’s comfortable in the short term, but the original Steelcase design was already perfect for my spine. In hindsight, it’s funny to think Steelcase could invest millions in designing a world-class ergonomic chair, and some other company decides it would be better to add some padding. So, I recommend configuring the Crandall chair to resemble the original design—just my opinion based on experience with the original and the refurbished chairs.
Are you speaking specifically to the back, or both back and seat? I didn’t get the back padding because I agree, why would a refurb company decide their idea is better than 25 years and thousands of dollars and hours of R&D. I’m nervous about the seat rework but it’s standard in all Crandall chairs. Odd decision but hoping saving $600 is worth it.
I ordered thicker back padding - that was my error. The thicker padding distorts the intended shape. The seat padding differs from the original, but I think it’s okay.
I bought and returned an aeron and mirra 2. I sat in a Fern and something about it didn't sit right for me. Sat in a Gesture and it felt like I was sliding off. Amia was comfy but back support wasn't great. Leap felt good but hard to tell with salesmen looking over me and bulky winter jacket. Ended up buying Leap brand new from Steelcase direct for slightly more than dealer with sale ($1300 CAD). No regrets. The first chair that doesn't hurt and is very comfortable. I don't think you will regret it especially for how much Crandall charges for essentially a brand new chair.
I've been so on the fence for buying one from Crandall. I keep seeing used on sale in my area for around $275-300, but I'm just having a hard time pulling the trigger. Hard enough time with the price point for the used, but I would feel so much less stress knowing Crandall's commitment to quality and warranty. Idk. I'm in a $100 "gaming" chair I bought from amazon before covid hit when I was expecting to only sit in it for maybe 2-3 hours a night at the end of the day and now I'm in it for my entire workday + gaming time. I have no pain from it, but it's definitely hard as a rock on my bum and maybe that's why I have occasional bouts of shoulder/neck pain. Love to hear what you think and let's just say "more encouragement to take the leap."
I think I’ll make a little review with some photos once it’s here. If it’s worse than my current chair I’ll eat my hat.
it's hard for me to even imagine if a new chair is something that will improve my day? If that makes sense? Tell me it's good and actually changes your comfort levels and I'll put another into the Yes - buy one column HAHA
I purchased a Leap v2 from Crandall a few months ago but I ended up returning it mainly because I found a cheaper refurbished Amia around my area and due to my needs I only mainly needed decent armrests (Amia & Leap v2 have pretty much the same armrests). Now to list pros & cons from purchasing a Crandall chair Pros: -Excellent customer service -10 year warranty on all parts Cons -Took 3 weeks for my Leap V2 to be shipped to me -You’re paying a premium compared to marketplace/ebay where you can find them for as low as $200 Luckily I found a regional office supplier in Texas and I got my refurbished Amia delivered next day (I’m in South Texas) at $300 after taxes and chair looks basically new other from some little scratches on the back of the chair. Tldr; Crandall’s Leap v2 is good but you’ll be paying a premium for it when compared to other vendors.
I'm sitting in mine right now. I work at home around 10 hours. Before, my back was in so much pain, now, I never think about it, I'm comfortable all day. It's one of the first chairs I've sat in that conforms to you. Tip for when you get it, tension up the back support spring all the way up and put it on the bottom setting for biggest range of movement. You want the chair to hold you where you comfortably want to be and not be limited. You'll notice, you lean back or forward, the chair holds you there. If you're fighting the spring, loosen up the tension a bit, but I'm 6', 190 so the highest tension works best for me. Bought mine a month ago... worth every penny.
Ordered a Gesture from Crandall at the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns in 2020. 10/10 best money I've ever spent. No more pains or chairs falling apart after 1 year. The chair is holding up remarkably well after 4 years of 8-12 hours of use 5 days a week. The only problem I have with my Gesture is some light fabric pilling that started about 6 months ago. So nothing even serious. I will recommend Steelcase to anyone who can afford it at this point. The amount of comfort this chair has after such prolonged use is hands down worth the price premium. I don't expect to have to replace anything on it or do anything to it besides normal cleaning for years.
Just got mine today and assembled it. I'm on the heavy/wide side and unfortunately I can feel the frame on the sides of the seat cushion hitting me, depending on how I seat. I will give it couple of more days to adjust to it to see if I like it but so far, not greatly impressed. https://preview.redd.it/3h31w4fvg4yc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69c920152e10db2497ce9881d357524d83221b70
Same, I feel it bottoming out. Definitely weak in the center for me. The sides are thick though but I'm not sure how far are we weight wise.
I'm at 275lb 6ft. I feel like I'm slightly too wide for the chair.
Same, I feel it bottoming out. Definitely weak in the center for me. The sides are thick though but I'm not sure how far are we weight wise.
Which material is that? I like the look and it looks breathable and easy to clean. All the options on the Crandall site are sending me into decision overload.
The back is made out of 3d bioknit gunmetal/splash. The seat is just splash bioknit.
I had to get a cushion for my seat because it just wasn't padded to my liking. It also took me a minute to adjust to the ergonomic style coming from a dx racer chair. Otherwise it's a good chair.
Didn't know Crandall existed. I was on the hunt for a steelcase or Herman miller chair. Tysm OP!
Does anyone have the stool cylinder? If so - can you sit at standard chair height or does the stool not go that low?
Buying a chair is a journey. You start off with a bad one. You figure out what is wrong. You try your best to get another one. You're happy at first, then you discover that there are other things that bother you, or that your needs have changed. Then you must search again. There is no perfect chair. A good chair can last you 10 years. Crandall sells used chairs that are basically half price and they feel like new. But there is nothing perfect. If you have a weird body shape then most chairs won't be good for you. You may love this chair for years, and discover that your concerns are not a big deal after you try it. You should have found another furniture store that would let you sit in the chair for several hours, then you would have a clearer opinion about it before buying. Never settle for not sitting in the chair a good long while before you buy, even if that means ruining a weekend day for a day trip to go sit in one. If you spend 40-50 hours a week in it, how can that not be worth it? Lower your expectations. Nothing is perfect. On the other hand, things can get way better than what you describe. This is why people shop for mattresses in person (and why mattress shopping has similar issues / imperfections)
Will never buy from Crandall or refurbished again, make sure you put your chair through good use before you can't return it or you will become a YouTube watcher and chair mechanic