ergonomic chairs for the shorter dude?

Thekwango

Thekwango

Thekwango

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yup you guessed it, another - spec me a chair thread. i've had a search but couldn't find any reccomendations for ergonomic chairs for the smaller fella - namely me at a modest 5ft 6(just about!) and around 11stone. I've a cheapy that i bought from ikea a couple of years back that has served me well for my evening gaming adventures but i'm working from home now and it just doesn't cut it to be sat in it all day and part of the evening. i'm sat in my chair anywhere from 8-10hrs a day.....not constantly mind you!!

ideally i'd rather not spend the price of small family car so budget is about £200, 250 at a push. adjustible head rest and lumber support would be nice and preferably not something that looks like i'm going through a midlife crisis (i'm 44)

so, likely to be anything out there to fit the bill?

worth noting i've done the whole searching gumtree/fb etc for second handers in the more famous names but nowt to be found locally - though even if there was, travelling to collect it currently isn't really an option. so new and delivered is really my only safe bet.
 
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I think any of the Noblechairs range are good bet with the Hero offering the most ergonomics, there's is a limited edition that's around £270 on sale but maybe too garish for you as it's black and white, as you've mentioned you prefer something subtle, likely plain black is likely better but costs more.

In terms of height the Hero is pretty big, at 6ft I use the lowest height setting, but a big advantage with this type of office chair is you can change the height quite cheaply using something like this:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/noblechairs-extra-short-gas-lift-replacement-30mm-gc-01h-nc.html

If a Hero is too big an Icon or Epic should be fine for you I reckon, maybe even without the shorter canister, but that option is always there if you need it.
 
thanks for the input.

not seeing any on OcUK at 270 though - cheapest i can see is the Noble Epic @299. and to be honest i'd be a bit miffed shelling out near on 300 quid to have to then spend more to make it 'fit' should it be too big. quite surprised there isn't a size chart on the listing to show suitablility depending on the buyers height. also, if i'm reading the description correctly the lumbar support and head/neck support is via a couple of cushions you strap to the chair?
 
Looks like they put the price back on that deal, this was £270 for a few months, great deal at that price, they must have just changed it quite recently.

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/gaming/gaming-chairs/noblechairs?p=1


As for lumbar, only the Hero has it built in with an adjustable dial, the others use the cushion, but I don't even use the lumbar support myself, just the head cushion. You might also be worth looking for 2nd hand office chair suppliers for a Steelcase or Herman Miller brand as many use those as well, though are very pricey brand new.

Others like the Ikea Markus, it doesn't have great arms but they can be changed easily to adjustable 4D armrests.

As for height I'm pretty sure you'd be fine with anything but the Hero on the standard gas canister that comes with the chair.
 
Again, thanks for the info - I know next to nowt about chairs other than a bit of recent googling which throws up the Herman Millers etc which, at least new, are outside my budget.

so hopefully you’ll forgive me for asking - what justifies the price on the Nobel chairs. There’s no adjustable lumbar support outside of the Hero range, no adjustable head/neck support. What makes them superior to some of the junk that litters the internet? A quick google throws up any number of unadjustable chairs that look exactly like the noble range at an absolute fraction of the price. I doubt whatever they pad them with solely justifies their price?

ive seen one called a Sihoo M57 that gets mentioned in a couple of ‘best of’ ergonomic chairs that looks like it would fit my requirements perfectly but sadly finding one to order in the UK seems nigh on impossible.
 
Thekwango said:
Again, thanks for the info - I know next to nowt about chairs other than a bit of recent googling which throws up the Herman Millers etc which, at least new, are outside my budget.

so hopefully you’ll forgive me for asking - what justifies the price on the Nobel chairs. There’s no adjustable lumbar support outside of the Hero range, no adjustable head/neck support. What makes them superior to some of the junk that litters the internet? A quick google throws up any number of unadjustable chairs that look exactly like the noble range at an absolute fraction of the price. I doubt whatever they pad them with solely justifies their price?

ive seen one called a Sihoo M57 that gets mentioned in a couple of ‘best of’ ergonomic chairs that looks like it would fit my requirements perfectly but sadly finding one to order in the UK seems nigh on impossible.
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The chairs are essentially just very nice gaming chairs with a few extra features. But nonetheless are gamer style 'racing' chairs. But a lot of users on here do report them to be comfortable, and there is a 30-day risk free trial.

But if you were looking for a 2nd hand chair, places like corporatespec offer loads of options in refurbished conditions (incl. free delivery). Definitely look for chairs with adjustable seat depths, and most have adjustable lumbar.

https://www.youtube.com/user/btodTV is a channel with reviews/fit guides for many Herman Miller/Steelcase/Humanscale if you wanted to research more.
 
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southernorth said:
The chairs are essentially just very nice gaming chairs with a few extra features. But nonetheless are gamer style 'racing' chairs. But a lot of users on here do report them to be comfortable, and there is a 30-day risk free trial.

But if you were looking for a 2nd hand chair, places like corporatespec offer loads of options in refurbished conditions (incl. free delivery). Definitely look for chairs with adjustable seat depths, and most have adjustable lumbar.

https://www.youtube.com/user/btodTV is a channel with reviews/fit guides for many Herman Miller/Steelcase/Humanscale if you wanted to research more.
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oh ho - now i like what i'm seeing and believe i've already spotted a beaut that ticks all my boxes - a refurbed RH Logic 300 with Headrest and what appears to be all the adjustments you could ever need for 239 quid. will have a watch of the youtube link too before jumping in. many thanks for that buddy.
southernorth said:
But a lot of users on here do report them to be comfortable, and there is a 30-day risk free trial.
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didn't know that and pretty damn good of them but from my limited looking and reading they all mostly seem to rely on 'cushions' for the lumbar and neck support, which to be honest sounds a bit gimmicky (i'm even tempted to say scammy!) not knocking them or anyone who has them, just doesn't seem to fit with what i'd expect from an ergonomic chair. my 25 quid ikea already has those albeit robbed from the sofa much to the wifes displeasure!
 
Thekwango said:
oh ho - now i like what i'm seeing and believe i've already spotted a beaut that ticks all my boxes - a refurbed RH Logic 300 with Headrest and what appears to be all the adjustments you could ever need for 239 quid. will have a watch of the youtube link too before jumping in. many thanks for that buddy.

didn't know that and pretty damn good of them but from my limited looking and reading they all mostly seem to rely on 'cushions' for the lumbar and neck support, which to be honest sounds a bit gimmicky (i'm even tempted to say scammy!) not knocking them or anyone who has them, just doesn't seem to fit with what i'd expect from an ergonomic chair. my 25 quid ikea already has those albeit robbed from the sofa much to the wifes displeasure!
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Hi mate, did you end up getting the RH Logic 300 in the end - how is it?
 
southernorth said:
Hi mate, did you end up getting the RH Logic 300 in the end - how is it?
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Not yet - by the time I’d done my ‘reading up’ on it the one with the headrest was out of stock. Going to check again Monday as that seems to be when they change their stock listings. If not I’ll just get the one without headrest and if feel I want/need one I’ll just buy it new separately at a later date.

Edit: they seem well reviewed on the few reviews that’s can be found on them so I’m hopeful it’ll be just what I’ve been looking for.
 
southernorth said:
Hi mate, did you end up getting the RH Logic 300 in the end - how is it?
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just to let you know - in case you're interested - i've bought the aforementioned chair. just waiting on shipping confirmation. managed to find a 'demo' type video of it in use and i'm actually quite excited to receive it now.....how sad is that, excited about getting a chair to sit in :p
 
Thekwango said:
just to let you know - in case you're interested - i've bought the aforementioned chair. just waiting on shipping confirmation. managed to find a 'demo' type video of it in use and i'm actually quite excited to receive it now.....how sad is that, excited about getting a chair to sit in :p
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Coming to a 'Images of items I have purchased.' post soon...
 
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southernorth said:
Did you buy it new or refurbished?
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I bought it 2nd hand. i did quite a bit of research. i especially wanted a headrest. I've had Herman Miller Aerons (and would recommend for anyone) all the way through my working life but then i got a chair at one work with a head rest and realised that's what i need at home.

My RH Logic 400 is pretty much brand new (not refurb) and I paid £395 for it yesterday, second hand. To get the 400 with arms and neckrest (that's what they call the headrest) they are just south of £1000 brand new. Facebook marketplace was were i looked, it's a goldmine for this stuff.

The other chair i looked for was Humanscale Freedom with headrest and you can buy those new (with gel seat and gel arm rests) for just north of £700, so if you look on marketplace aim lower in price than the RH Logic.

I'd say, be cynical about buying refurb, the reason being, it could mean they're well used i.e the old cover was worn, probably in an office and therefore dubious about how well they've been treated, especially the gas lift (this goes for any of those chairs). Try before you hand over money.

Do a bit of research on the optional extras so you know what you can get for your money. Check
  • arm rests
  • headrests
  • seat sizes
  • padding
  • Material e.g. leather, material, does it look the same as the official or has it been recovered
  • lumbar support e.g. aerons dont always come with it
  • Dont worry about wooden/hard floor coasters as you can buy a set from the jungle company and they're all standard fitting (except ikea chairs)
Hope this helps.
 
frustin said:
I bought it 2nd hand. i did quite a bit of research. i especially wanted a headrest. I've had Herman Miller Aerons (and would recommend for anyone) all the way through my working life but then i got a chair at one work with a head rest and realised that's what i need at home.

My RH Logic 400 is pretty much brand new (not refurb) and I paid £395 for it yesterday, second hand. To get the 400 with arms and neckrest (that's what they call the headrest) they are just south of £1000 brand new. Facebook marketplace was were i looked, it's a goldmine for this stuff.

The other chair i looked for was Humanscale Freedom with headrest and you can buy those new (with gel seat and gel arm rests) for just north of £700, so if you look on marketplace aim lower in price than the RH Logic.

I'd say, be cynical about buying refurb, the reason being, it could mean they're well used i.e the old cover was worn, probably in an office and therefore dubious about how well they've been treated, especially the gas lift (this goes for any of those chairs). Try before you hand over money.

Do a bit of research on the optional extras so you know what you can get for your money. Check
  • arm rests
  • headrests
  • seat sizes
  • padding
  • Material e.g. leather, material, does it look the same as the official or has it been recovered
  • lumbar support e.g. aerons dont always come with it
  • Dont worry about wooden/hard floor coasters as you can buy a set from the jungle company and they're all standard fitting (except ikea chairs)
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for all the info. I do actually have a Freedom, and do agree it's a bit of a minefield having to check all these factors.

@Thekwango How are you finding your RH chair?
 
Sorry for the delay in updating the thread.

chair arrived a week or so back and after assembling it and checking it over I got down to using it. Looking at the chair you wouldn’t easily tell it’s refurbished. Only signs of wear is a bit of paint chipping down on the castors and where the arms move in and out - it’s just a screw holds them in place and it looks like someone has tried to move them in or out with the screw still partially tightened. At a quarter of the new price I can live with that.
There’s an huge amount of adjustability, the tension control for the ‘free floating’ action (not sure on the proper name) is amazing. When tensioned properly and you lift your feet it actually does give the impression you’re floating.
I can be sat on the chair for anything up to 10 hours a day (not constantly obviously but a damn good part of it) and I’ve not had any discomfort whatsoever. It genuinely is amazing. Mine didn’t come with the neck rest but I’m looking at getting one in the not too distant future.
Without a doubt it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made in a long time and corporatespec have been hugely helpful and very quick to reply to any emails I’ve sent them.
 
frustin said:
i have one i bought yesterday and i'd love to know which knob you're talking about.
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on the left side (as you sit on the chair) the tension should be set so that when you lift your feet an inch or 2 off the ground the seat doesn't tilt back or push you forward. took a bit of fiddling to get it right but makes a huge difference, imo, to the comfort factor.
 
I'm currently in the process of looking for a new chair and was set to buy a noble/secret/or other brand but after thinking about it, Perhaps a half decent Ergonomic chair is better suited especially that I tend to get some sciatic pain often.

I found this thread when searching for the SIHOO M57 as it was recommended on Reddit when I was originally looking for an Autonomous Ergochair 2. Now I'm not too sure what to do.
 
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