1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Education Office chairs. Often skimped on but so important.

Discussion in 'General' started by aLtikal, 20 Dec 2012.

  1. aLtikal

    aLtikal 1338-One step infront of the pro's

    Joined:
    7 May 2008
    Posts:
    944
    Likes Received:
    30
    What office/computer chair's do you all have - and how do you rate them? I'm particularly interested in your opinions if you have a good quality chair as I spend over 5 hours a day sitting in these things and I'm looking to buy one as my current one is....knackered.

    I'm not interested in any chair costing under £35, because there all rubbish to sit in for a long days work, and will do your posture and health no good in the long term.

    Cheapo chairs are fine for a few hours a day - but when you work in them and spend ages using them - Something a little more friendly goes a long way.

    For the record I already take a proactive measures in maintaining good physique through core and lower back exercises, and lots of running - I don't want to be moaning about bad back by the time I'm 30!

    Please share your chairs, and thoughts of them :)
     
  2. Andersen

    Andersen I'm fine. I'M FINE! *banshee howl*

    Joined:
    25 Nov 2002
    Posts:
    1,282
    Likes Received:
    484
    Martela Logic 4 (rebranded, real maker is british IIRC, can't remember name) is great whether its old or new model. Got the older model two years ago and not a single complaint. Takes a while to set up but once its done, bliss. I get horrifying back ache after sitting in a cheap chair for maybe two hours but never had a problem with this beast.

    + very adjustable
    + sturdy
    + can handle 250lb/120kg person
    + only maxed out adjustment is headrest, but I'm 6'3,5"/192cm

    +- very heavy
    +- might not come with armrests or headrest, check what you buy

    - price tag, basic refurbs go for 200-300 euros without arm/headrests
     
    Last edited: 21 Dec 2012
  3. Nexxo

    Nexxo * Prefab Sprout – The King of Rock 'n' Roll

    Joined:
    23 Oct 2001
    Posts:
    34,731
    Likes Received:
    2,210
    I have a second-hand Herman Miller Aeron chair (they are too expensive new, but it means that there is a nice second-hand trade in them). Money well spent.
     
  4. Guest-23315

    Guest-23315 Guest

    We've got one at home... was about £170 off the Bay. The Mother swears by it.
     
  5. DeadP1xels

    DeadP1xels Social distancing since 92

    Joined:
    30 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    6,119
    Likes Received:
    1,056
    I can't remeber the name of mine it was'nt much more than £35 though

    I think any chair that uses mesh backing is a winner in my eyes, so comfortable!

    I've sat on alot of different chairs from cheap £10 office chairs at college to fancy £180 ones leather faux or real just does'nt work for me personally (or not that i've found yet)
     
  6. Lance

    Lance Ender of discussions.

    Joined:
    6 May 2010
    Posts:
    3,220
    Likes Received:
    134
    The jump between a good £35 chair and a bad £170 is not very large and can even be a downward slope if you get a really bad one.

    The tipping point in getting something amazing is more the the £500 mark. The Herman Millers are great and my girlfriend has an amazing ergonomic chair that was about £1000.00 I will find the info later.

    It is truely amazing in terms of flexibilty.
     
  7. MrDomRocks

    MrDomRocks Modder

    Joined:
    5 Sep 2011
    Posts:
    5,065
    Likes Received:
    137
    I spent £60 on a chair last year, this chair was from Staples and is an Operators chair or something like that. Designed to be used for long periods of time. The chair I was using game me back ache and a numb backside.

    The chair I use now is comfy for extended periods of gaming.

    I usually spend 6 hours at my computer. Gaming etc

    I don't have the arm rests fitted as they would just get in the way.
     
  8. Krikkit

    Krikkit All glory to the hypnotoad! Super Moderator

    Joined:
    21 Jan 2003
    Posts:
    23,925
    Likes Received:
    655
    :naughty:
     
  9. bagman

    bagman Minimodder

    Joined:
    18 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    3,658
    Likes Received:
    79
    I have a Kinnarps old office chair, my arse swears by it. Only complaint it isn't leather, but I could always get some one to reupholster it. I can't complain it was free. But they do not come cheap if you want to buy one.
     
  10. 3lusive

    3lusive Minimodder

    Joined:
    5 Feb 2011
    Posts:
    1,121
    Likes Received:
    45
    Comfiest I'v sat on is the Ikea Markus. About £120. I use it everyday since fed 2011. Excellent in every respect.
     
  11. julianmartin

    julianmartin resident cyborg.

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2004
    Posts:
    3,562
    Likes Received:
    126
    That, is a bargain. Cheapest I could find after like two weeks of looking was about £250. Still money well spent, I also swear by mine.
     
  12. ch424

    ch424 Design Warrior

    Joined:
    26 May 2004
    Posts:
    3,112
    Likes Received:
    41
    I bought the Tesco Hamburg Office Chair. It's terrible. Avoid.
     
  13. Unicorn

    Unicorn Uniform November India

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2006
    Posts:
    12,726
    Likes Received:
    456
    Bit of a necro-bump for this one :worried:

    My Ikea Allak chair failed on Saturday night - the centre bearing in the base which the height adjustment piston sits in fell apart after just over 3 years of gruelling use. I spend a silly amount of time that chair every day and night, up and down out of it who knows how many times per day, so it's no surprise that it only lasted 3 years and change.

    Thankfully I was able to swap the bottom bearing and castor assembly from a cheap Argos version out of the study onto it, and the Allak lives on for now. However, having seen what the Argos bearing was made of during the swap and knowing that the original Ikea bearing was a much sturdier assembly, I can only assume that it won't last anywhere near as long this time. I feel it's time, then, for me to begin considering a new chair and this time instead of an Ikea one that will inevitably last maybe another 3 years, I'd like to invest in something a bit more robust, comfortable and ergonomic. I love the look of the Herman Miller Aeron chairs, but they are far too expensive for me to afford this side of next Christmas :hehe: I'd need to buy a new desk and monitors before dropping over £700 on a chair! Does anyone have any other suggestions that aren't as sore on the wallet but are at least comparably as comfy to sit on?
     
    Last edited: 20 Jan 2014
  14. julianmartin

    julianmartin resident cyborg.

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2004
    Posts:
    3,562
    Likes Received:
    126
  15. GeorgeK

    GeorgeK Swinging the banhammer Super Moderator

    Joined:
    18 Sep 2010
    Posts:
    8,705
    Likes Received:
    515
    I've often thought about picking up a second hand Aeron or Leap from ebay but I'd want to try them first - I wouldn't want to buy one and then find out I didn't like it...
     
  16. Unicorn

    Unicorn Uniform November India

    Joined:
    25 Jul 2006
    Posts:
    12,726
    Likes Received:
    456
    Thanks guys, that OCN link is an awesome resource! I will be keeping an eye on eBay over the next while to see what comes up, but the main problem with that is getting private sellers to ship them anywhere, never mind to NI.
     
  17. Umbra

    Umbra What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    18 Nov 2013
    Posts:
    636
    Likes Received:
    17
  18. Boardoombob

    Boardoombob What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    11 Aug 2011
    Posts:
    150
    Likes Received:
    5
    Thanks for the link JM - very handy. Same to you Umbra.

    Currently using a dining room chair after my old 'executive' office chair broke (I think I got it from Staples). It was probably a bit too wide, but did the job.

    Has anyone ever tried a Herman Miller 'Embody' chair? I've been told they're the next level up from an Aeron, but never actually sat in one.
     
  19. IvanIvanovich

    IvanIvanovich будет глотать вашу душу.

    Joined:
    31 Aug 2008
    Posts:
    4,870
    Likes Received:
    252
    Can't beat classics!
    [​IMG]

    I have one somewhat similar like this but mine dosen't have arm rests and the back tilts with a spring mechanism that looks like it could have been taken from a car shock. It's built amazingly well of course since it 40+ years old. I can't even imagine what it would take to break it in any way. Comfort is excellent as well after I replaced the deteriorating seat cushion foam.
     
  20. phuzz

    phuzz This is a title

    Joined:
    28 May 2004
    Posts:
    1,712
    Likes Received:
    27
    The best seat I've used in terms of my back was one of these:
    [​IMG]

    I sat on one of these at work for about five years, and any time my lower back started to twinge a day sat on it would sort it right out. Works best if you've got a fairly large space under the desk to wheel it about.

    *edit, I don't know why that picture has vaseline all over the lens, rule 34 chair porn perhaps, but I can't be bothered to find a better image.
     

Share This Page