high-end task chairs: knoll life vs. Aeron vs. Freedom Chair

[GQgeek]

I need a new office chair and desk or I will end up a hunchback. These chairs are the ones I've read about most. Does anyone have comments about one or the other? I'm looking at the knoll price list and there are so many options... I'm gonna stop by the knoll store in montreal to check it out, but I doubt they'll have a ton of differently configured chairs there.

Am I missing any other chairs? I want quality that will last and it doesn't hurt if it's attractive (which some people think detracts from the aeron). I sit in this thing for hours so ergonomics is a prime concern.

As for the desk, I'm debating between a high-end ergonomic computer desk or something that's more interesting in terms of design. The computer is a tower that can go on the ground under it or beside it. The only constraint here is that it needs to have a big enough surface for 2 24" monitors and is at a comfortable height for the use of keyboard and mouse. It would be nice if I could get something that was both attractive and ergonomic. I hate cheap materials. It doesn't need to have tons of shelves or drawers. Every desk I've ever owned has been ugly. If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Then again, I might go really cheap, as I feel my design preferences are shifting, and I want my furniture to form a cohesive whole, if possible.

 

[jsherman02]

Aeron without question.

 

[aragon765]

I have had good luck with a Steelcase Leap. The Think is also nice by them...

But I think the most important thing is to try a bunch before you buy. You will only know which one works best for you (the one who will actually be sitting in it) by getting your butt in the chairs!

 

[thekunk07]

freedom chair changed my life and i've had about every overpriced office chair you can imagine.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by aragon765

I have had good luck with a Steelcase Leap. The Think is also nice by them...

But I think the most important thing is to try a bunch before you buy. You will only know which one works best for you (the one who will actually be sitting in it) by getting your butt in the chairs!

I'm trying. It's such a pain that I can't find them all in one store. I just went to a store listed on the Knoll site and they didn't even stock the Life chair.

The freedom chair looks pretty cool. I especially like the rotating armrests. I've had that problem before where my elbow is on the edge of the armrest due to the way I was sitting.

What do you guys think of aluminum vs. plastic frames?

 

[GQgeek]

http://www.sit4less.com/products/knoll/life-chair/15

Fully loaded Life (with aluminum base) for $900 bucks. So tempting... I find it much more attractive than the humanscale, but I have the feeling the gel seat and armrests of the humanscale may be more comfortable

 

[SField]

I swear by the Areon. I used to do a job with lots of sitting and jesus I wanted to die by the end of the day. I was cracking my back and trying to stretch constantly. You get this compulsion to straighten out your back all the time because you get this chronic nagging in your back, not pain, but this wrestless feeling. Lumbar support will fix that. Stay young, get a good chair.

What's the difference between the Life and Freedom? Maybe I've seen these, I don't know.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by thekunk07

freedom chair changed my life and i've had about every overpriced office chair you can imagine.

^^^ what he said

Humanscale Freedom Chair >>>> Aeron

 

[kronik]

Originally Posted by gdl203

^^^ what he said Humanscale Freedom Chair >>>> Aeron
+1 We plan on getting two Humanscale Freedom chairs. I had a gel one at one of my old jobs and.. man, so beautiful. I've tried Aerons and preferred the Freedom. I just wish I could get leather + gel. Ah well. If you're interested in Herman Miller chairs, you may as well try their Embody model. It appears that to be Stumpf's attempt at besting the Aeron though the aesthetics are not as pleasing.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by kronik

I just wish I could get leather + gel. Ah well.
That's the one I have at work. I've probably sat on that chair for 12,000 hours and it is still great - never had the slightest back ache since I got it.

 

[thekunk07]

btw, in my experience, sit4less sucks dick as a company. when i get to the office, i'll give you the name of the company i ordered from.

 

[kronik]

Originally Posted by gdl203

That's the one I have at work. I've probably sat on that chair for 12,000 hours and it is still great - never had the slightest back ache since I got it.

Hrm, they say you can't combine the two? (gel/leather)

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by kronik

Hrm, they say you can't combine the two? (gel/leather)
hmm.. OK - so what's inside my chair? not gel? Not sure what's in it but I think the chair is leather. Or is it pleather?

 

[kronik]

There are 3 fabrics that gel cannot be combined with - leather, ultrasuede, and millenium; I'm not sure what the last is. The gel-approved materials are all synthetics as far as I understand.

Either way, it's comfortable, right?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by kronik

Either way, it's comfortable, right?
Yup. Don't know what's in it or what it's made of but it's been supporting my derriere comfortably for 3 or 4 years now