Aeron Chairs

Joel mentioned Aeron chairs recently.

Does anyone have any experience of using them for a long time ? Is it worth paying $1,000 for one, or is it just an extremely cool looking chair.

I'm thinking about setting up a new working environment, where I'll be spending a lot of time, so I want to make it as comfortable as possible.

Steve Jones (UK)
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Aeron chairs? You gotta check out the videos on this site:

http://www.dack.com/misc/aeron.html

Nick
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I've had one for a couple of years now, I use it with a desk that is height adjustable and they work well together. It may take a while to configure the chair correctly; it's a trial and error thing. I used to have all kinds of shoulder and arm pains and I dont anymore.

So for me it was worth the money as I can work more. I certainly notice the difference when I need to work at a client site and they have a one size fits all desk and chair policy...

Remember that the chairs come in different sizes (3 I think) and that if you get one that's the wrong size it will likely be either too long or too short in the seat and this may put pressure on your legs. I got mine from the showroom in London and spent a while trying the various sizes. My girlfriend cannot get comfortable in the chair as I think it's too big for her; it doesnt matter how she adjusts it.

Len Holgate (www.lenholgate.com)
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Got one for 2 years now and would rate it 10 out of 10. It is a bargain if you take into account that you only have one non-replaceable back and that it will be around a lot longer than your computer or laptop. And yes, you need the correct size. So try them before you buy.

Jan Derk
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Wife and I gave Aerons a complete instore tryout. Then we found a similar but very inexpensive chair that seems to fit her. She loves it.

tk
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Office Depot carries a few lines of chair that are very smiliar to the Aeron (but not as adjustable).  I use one at home.  It's very nice.  It's lasted me about 3 years without breaking.

The Aerons ARE nice chairs, but damn they're expensive.

Myron A. Semack
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I used to go through chairs at the rate of one a year until I got this Aeron, which I've had for three years now.  Best chair by far I've ever used.  In the USA they are going for a lot less than $1000 now, dunno about elsewhere.

Mitch & Murray (from downtown)
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

The new Aeron came out a while back, similar design but they rethought the back, put better (non sandpapery) material in the seat, came up with a strange webbing idea for the seat and back to distribute weight better, and improved the lumbar support.

Also, the front edge of the seat can be rolled down for those with shorter legs.  If you have to seat more than one body it might be a better choice.

Steelcase has an interesting line of chairs as well that are adjustable (although not to the extreme of Aeron chairs), and might be a bit less expensive.

Lou
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I wrote a long post about Aeron vs. Mirra (Herman Miller's new uber-chair) several months ago. I chose the Mirra because I liked the design more, and was more comfortable in it. After a few months of spending the majority of my day in it I have to say: it's awesome. I'm way more comfortable.

One thing I didn't like about the Aeron is that when I lean back in it, it gooses me. With the Mirra, that wasn't a problem. (I know that a lot of people don't have the goose problem with the Aeron - it may be my size).

Anyway, search for Mirra and I suspect you'll find the post.

Tim Sullivan
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

There's a handful of them at work for me. They are indeed quite nice chairs, but not for me. The problem that I have with them is that they are so molded to the human form that you basically have only one position in which you can sit. This means that I cannot, for example, sit cross-legged. I find that I cannot easily sit for a long period in any one position.

I admit, that is not much of a complaint, but if I was going to spend $1200 on a chair, it should not have any problems. Right now at home I use a $70 Office Depot chair. I opted for one that's extra wide with built-in lumbar. Not very adjustable, but I can sit pretty much however I want in it comfortably.

Mike Swieton
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Easily the most comfortable desk chair I've ever used. You may be able to pick up a used one from companies doing liquidation sales. Enron had a bunch of them for sale a while ago.

Interaction Architect
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

It's designed for wannabes. If you're one, you should definitely think about it.

tired of hollier than thou attitude
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Buddy Hollier?

Philo

Philo.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I have an Aeron chair. It's nice, but the The Ultimate Chair or anything.

This discussion is interestingly timed. This afternoon I am supposed to be test-driving a new Herman Miller chair. My office has some deal with Herman Miller and we often test their prototype office products. FUN! :-D

runtime
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

If you're tall, or prefer over-head chairs to chairs that end around the shoulders or midback, you might prefer one of the Steelcase models.  Prices are pretty similar, though, for their high-end.

Is it worth it?  Well, for me an Aeron at $800 one time cost is much more economically efficient than treating back pain after I get it at $30/hour.  And definitely, it's 5x - 10x more comfortable than a typical $80 chair without a ten-year warranty.  Even so far as cool geek factor, I'd have to say an Aeron is probably a better investment over time than a currently cool laptop, cellphone, or PDA.

I probably wouldn't've done it in the first place if I didn't have a history of stress-induced back pain, so I understand the people who think it's just a poseur thing.  But hey, I don't really care what they think.  If it didn't cost so much to have dual 21-inch LCD screens, that might be worth it to me too.  (If Dell brings their 17s down to $350 again, sometime when I'm not broke, I'll be sorely tempted.)

Mikayla
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

the steelcase and the aerons are both nice. just try them both. i have a friend who prefers an $8 folding steel chair to both.  personally I've used both the steelcase and the aerons and had no problem with either, I liked the steelcase a bit better.

However now I just work at home and I either stand up or sit on a barstool at a tall "workbench" style desk or else I sit on the couch with a laptop.

The "deskchair paradigm" in general is not good for your back, and neither the aeron nor steelcase solve the fundamental problem of folding your waist at a 90 degree angle all day.

boot
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Humans are really interesting beings: We spend so much money on cool cars, expensive gadgets, fancy clothes but we're not ready to spend a few dollars more on healthier products. That's why we still eat microwave dishes and fast food instead of buying fresh ingredients and cooking them. And that's why we still sit in cheap $20 chairs and work with latest CPU's, OS', GPU's instead of buying a decent chair and decent desk (the ones you can adjust).

Enjoy Coke
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I worked for a bank in Tokyo a few years ago and *every* single chair in all 20 floors of the building was an Aeron, even in the coffee rooms.

Very comfy, but I found the mesh quickly wore out any woolen trousers I had.

Matthew Lock
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

They had them in some hotel room I stayed in a while back. Not very comfortable naked.

pdq
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

pdq:

Point taken. Actually, the Mirra chair is pretty chilly as well. I often get up, wearing only my pj bottoms, and if I lean against the back of the chair I immediately get goosebumps. So if you compute while naked, or shirtless, you may want to consider this.

:-)

Tim Sullivan
Tuesday, November 18, 2003

I am looking to buy several Aeron Chairs for a new office.  Interested in companies going through liquidation sales.  Please email with info.  Thanks!

Jackie
Thursday, June 17, 2004

So do you guys have some nice adjustable desk recommendations to go with the aeron?

Lester
Wednesday, June 23, 2004

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