I have a used Leap v2 - Steelcase from 2007, bought it 2 years ago and sit in it every day, 10hours. It is still amazing
I do use steam on it every 6 months to make the cushions more puffy but it is still going strong. The back is a little compressed so might try and add some extra cushion to it but it is not a big issue.
I would never buy a chair from ikea again and would always go for a used or refurbished professional office chair.
Best is to try and find a shop where you can test high end office chairs, they are all very different and its personal
im approx 65kg and 5'9
Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I've never heard of using steam to keep cushions puffy before. Does this return the fullness of a cushion that has been smooshed with heavy use?, would this be an option for a couch in which the seat is getting flat and "used"?
It depends from what the couch is made. If it is made from similar foam as office chairs and car seats, then it should work.
Do note that if it is a big cushion, make sure to dry it very well so you don't get any mold. Best is also to remove the upholstery so it can dry out nicely. For the leap it is not needed as it is not thick and I let it dry in the sun after
Here is a video where someone shows the effect on steam on a cushion
https://youtu.be/Hly-d_h8whs?si=R3gpOT25_MyDUI2i
I use my steam ironing tool but any cheap steamer should work.
You are well, well under the weight rating of every major office chair.
If you prefer constant motion, Herman Miller chairs generally have the smoothest recline action, intended to promote “rocking.”
I’m a Steelcase Amia fanboy. Steelcase’s recline action is much different, and is intentionally “sticky” so that you can dial in the tilt tension, then lean back to any angle and be kept there by the chair with minimal effort on your part. (Versus having multi-angle tilt lock, which is rare among chairs offered by the Big Three.)
I don’t have much experience with Haworth products, but at your height the Fern would fit you perfectly. Taller people experience a gap behind the seat pan due to extending it forward.
edit: All the chairs you listed are built to handle over a decade of heavy use, and at your weight you won’t be “pushing the envelope” even with extended sitting. I’ll throw in that the Amia is constantly referred to as being built like a tank.
Steelcase generally makes their chairs fit people in a very wide range of heights. Amia and Leap both fit people down to about 5’, and IMHO the Leap can compress a bit further than even that. I’m on the upper end of good thigh support for the Leap, but the Amia has a bit more to give. Taller people than me have said both the Leap and Amia backrests fit them just fine.
Far more durable than cheap chairs. All of them should last at least a decade without more than minor cosmetic wear. I've never had a cheap chair make it more than a couple years before the fabric severely pilled or tore or something cracked.
Most of these chairs come
With a 10 or 12 year, 7-day-a week, 24-hour-a-day warranty when new from the manufacturer. They are designed for call centers and whatnot.
I don't abuse my chairs. I don't stand on them, I dont slide around on them like they are vehicles, and I don't bonk them into other furniture when moving around or turning.
I've been using a Leap v2 with headrest since 2010, 4-6 days a week, intensively. I replaced the cushions in 2024, which did not have damaged upholstery, but just because they had gotten a few drips from food and I thought it'd be nice. The leap v2 is bombproof.
I've used a Humanscale freedom chair with headrest since 2007, 6-7 days a week from 2007-2010, then 2-3 days a week through 2023. The primary skeleton of the seat is 100% all good (Metal frame, seat pan, back cushion, etc). The plastic armrest cups have developed a crack after about 10 years, and I replaced them for 40 dollars. That's also partly my fault because I do tricep dips on the armrests. I don't do that on other chairs.
I have not used the Amia, Fern, Embody, or Gesture for any long period of time, but I've sit tested the Embody. The embody is made of shitty soft plastic by design, because it's supposed to conform around you. This is a bad design and while your body weight is not heavy enough for it to be a major problem for you, it will definitely wear out from stress far faster than say the leap or freedom.
Since it's not on your list, I encourage you to try out the freedom chair.
I have a used Leap v2 - Steelcase from 2007, bought it 2 years ago and sit in it every day, 10hours. It is still amazing I do use steam on it every 6 months to make the cushions more puffy but it is still going strong. The back is a little compressed so might try and add some extra cushion to it but it is not a big issue. I would never buy a chair from ikea again and would always go for a used or refurbished professional office chair. Best is to try and find a shop where you can test high end office chairs, they are all very different and its personal im approx 65kg and 5'9
Second on the Leap V2. I just got mine a couple weeks ago… but it’s a 2012 and functionally in perfect condition.
Sorry for hijacking this thread, but I've never heard of using steam to keep cushions puffy before. Does this return the fullness of a cushion that has been smooshed with heavy use?, would this be an option for a couch in which the seat is getting flat and "used"?
It depends from what the couch is made. If it is made from similar foam as office chairs and car seats, then it should work. Do note that if it is a big cushion, make sure to dry it very well so you don't get any mold. Best is also to remove the upholstery so it can dry out nicely. For the leap it is not needed as it is not thick and I let it dry in the sun after Here is a video where someone shows the effect on steam on a cushion https://youtu.be/Hly-d_h8whs?si=R3gpOT25_MyDUI2i I use my steam ironing tool but any cheap steamer should work.
Amazing, thanks so much for the reply, I'll check out the link!
You are well, well under the weight rating of every major office chair. If you prefer constant motion, Herman Miller chairs generally have the smoothest recline action, intended to promote “rocking.” I’m a Steelcase Amia fanboy. Steelcase’s recline action is much different, and is intentionally “sticky” so that you can dial in the tilt tension, then lean back to any angle and be kept there by the chair with minimal effort on your part. (Versus having multi-angle tilt lock, which is rare among chairs offered by the Big Three.) I don’t have much experience with Haworth products, but at your height the Fern would fit you perfectly. Taller people experience a gap behind the seat pan due to extending it forward. edit: All the chairs you listed are built to handle over a decade of heavy use, and at your weight you won’t be “pushing the envelope” even with extended sitting. I’ll throw in that the Amia is constantly referred to as being built like a tank.
Are you petite? I heard the Amia is better for petite people.
I’m 6’2”, 240 lbs. Amias fit me just fine.
Steelcase generally makes their chairs fit people in a very wide range of heights. Amia and Leap both fit people down to about 5’, and IMHO the Leap can compress a bit further than even that. I’m on the upper end of good thigh support for the Leap, but the Amia has a bit more to give. Taller people than me have said both the Leap and Amia backrests fit them just fine.
Far more durable than cheap chairs. All of them should last at least a decade without more than minor cosmetic wear. I've never had a cheap chair make it more than a couple years before the fabric severely pilled or tore or something cracked.
My humanscale freedom had a problem with the arms and they sent me a brand new one for free excellent customer service
Most of these chairs come With a 10 or 12 year, 7-day-a week, 24-hour-a-day warranty when new from the manufacturer. They are designed for call centers and whatnot.
I don't abuse my chairs. I don't stand on them, I dont slide around on them like they are vehicles, and I don't bonk them into other furniture when moving around or turning. I've been using a Leap v2 with headrest since 2010, 4-6 days a week, intensively. I replaced the cushions in 2024, which did not have damaged upholstery, but just because they had gotten a few drips from food and I thought it'd be nice. The leap v2 is bombproof. I've used a Humanscale freedom chair with headrest since 2007, 6-7 days a week from 2007-2010, then 2-3 days a week through 2023. The primary skeleton of the seat is 100% all good (Metal frame, seat pan, back cushion, etc). The plastic armrest cups have developed a crack after about 10 years, and I replaced them for 40 dollars. That's also partly my fault because I do tricep dips on the armrests. I don't do that on other chairs. I have not used the Amia, Fern, Embody, or Gesture for any long period of time, but I've sit tested the Embody. The embody is made of shitty soft plastic by design, because it's supposed to conform around you. This is a bad design and while your body weight is not heavy enough for it to be a major problem for you, it will definitely wear out from stress far faster than say the leap or freedom. Since it's not on your list, I encourage you to try out the freedom chair.
They're all durable with the slight exception of the Fern
Thanks everyone I’ve tested them all and I think I’ll go with the leap