3 ms·

I've had my Aeron for a couple of years now (bought it new for quite a bit more than $400) and I really don't get all the fuss. It's not that adjustable: contr

by tcdent 18y ago

I've had my Aeron for a couple of years now (bought it new for quite a bit more than $400) and I really don't get all the fuss. It's not that adjustable: control the armrest height, how far you can recline, and the tension of the spring that holds you there. Mine has the newer style lumbar support, which is undeniably a hack. I keep it away from my back; it does nothing but push me further to the front of the chair. My biggest gripe, however, is the comfort of the seat. That damn plastic bar running across the front creates a horrible pressure point and probably increases the likelihood of DVT. While I'm no advocate of the Aeron, I'm also unaware of any good alternatives. Looking forward to seeing what others suggest.

wmeredith 18y ago
I'm glad to see an opinion like this. I think the Aeron's are mostly hype. They may be 5% or 10% better than something costing half as much, but mostly they just look really cool.
jseliger 18y ago
"I really don't get all the fuss." Let Joel Spolsky speak (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/FieldGuidetoDevelopers.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/FieldGuidetoDeveloper...): "Let me, for a moment, talk about the famous Aeron chair, made by Herman Miller. They cost about $900. This is about $800 more than a cheap office chair from OfficeDepot or Staples. They are much more comfortable than cheap chairs. If you get the right size and adjust it properly, most people can sit in them all day long without feeling uncomfortable. The back and seat are made out of a kind of mesh that lets air flow so you don’t get sweaty. The ergonomics, especially of the newer models with lumbar support, are excellent. They last longer than cheap chairs. We’ve been in business for six years and every Aeron is literally in mint condition: I challenge anyone to see the difference between the chairs we bought in 2000 and the chairs we bought three months ago. They easily last for ten years. The cheap chairs literally start falling apart after a matter of months. You’ll need at least four $100 chairs to last as long as an Aeron." Re your comment: "That damn plastic bar running across the front creates a horrible pressure point and probably increases the likelihood of DVT." The plastic bar on mine seems to create a natural pressure release because it curves downward. It seems that such a feel should occur if you've got the right height.
Tichy 18y ago
I had the same problem with the plastic bar and I think it is just bad. However, I am fairly tall and I had a large Aeron chair (they come in 3 sizes I think). So I can only assume that the problem is less pronounced in the smaller sizes (perhaps because the stretch area of the seat is smaller and does not give in as much?). Otherwise I could not understand the hype.
mechanical_fish 18y ago
Remember that we're discussing chairs. Everyone's body is different. A single chair that fits everyone perfectly is almost certainly impossible to design. Even the best chair in the world can't expect a 100% approval rating... unless it's custom-built for you. (And, even then, the chair that works best today may not fit you tomorrow.) Audition some alternatives and sell the Aeron if you find one that works better for you. My Aeron's big problems: It is a fraction too short, and it doesn't have enough upper back support. I fixed Problem B by strapping a pillow to it with a bungie cord. Problem A still awaits its solution. I may try building a false floor (basically a sheet of plywood atop a few 1x3s) -- a wacky but effective solution. ;)
pbz 18y ago
Sign me up for the hype list. I tried one of those for a while; couldn't find a comfortable position to save my life.

by tcdent 18y ago

wmeredith 18y ago

I'm glad to see an opinion like this. I think the Aeron's are mostly hype. They may be 5% or 10% better than something costing half as much, but mostly they just look really cool.

jseliger 18y ago

"I really don't get all the fuss." Let Joel Spolsky speak (http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/FieldGuidetoDevelopers.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/FieldGuidetoDeveloper...): "Let me, for a moment, talk about the famous Aeron chair, made by Herman Miller. They cost about $900. This is about $800 more than a cheap office chair from OfficeDepot or Staples. They are much more comfortable than cheap chairs. If you get the right size and adjust it properly, most people can sit in them all day long without feeling uncomfortable. The back and seat are made out of a kind of mesh that lets air flow so you don’t get sweaty. The ergonomics, especially of the newer models with lumbar support, are excellent. They last longer than cheap chairs. We’ve been in business for six years and every Aeron is literally in mint condition: I challenge anyone to see the difference between the chairs we bought in 2000 and the chairs we bought three months ago. They easily last for ten years. The cheap chairs literally start falling apart after a matter of months. You’ll need at least four $100 chairs to last as long as an Aeron." Re your comment: "That damn plastic bar running across the front creates a horrible pressure point and probably increases the likelihood of DVT." The plastic bar on mine seems to create a natural pressure release because it curves downward. It seems that such a feel should occur if you've got the right height.

Tichy 18y ago

I had the same problem with the plastic bar and I think it is just bad. However, I am fairly tall and I had a large Aeron chair (they come in 3 sizes I think). So I can only assume that the problem is less pronounced in the smaller sizes (perhaps because the stretch area of the seat is smaller and does not give in as much?). Otherwise I could not understand the hype.

mechanical_fish 18y ago

Remember that we're discussing chairs. Everyone's body is different. A single chair that fits everyone perfectly is almost certainly impossible to design. Even the best chair in the world can't expect a 100% approval rating... unless it's custom-built for you. (And, even then, the chair that works best today may not fit you tomorrow.) Audition some alternatives and sell the Aeron if you find one that works better for you. My Aeron's big problems: It is a fraction too short, and it doesn't have enough upper back support. I fixed Problem B by strapping a pillow to it with a bungie cord. Problem A still awaits its solution. I may try building a false floor (basically a sheet of plywood atop a few 1x3s) -- a wacky but effective solution. ;)

pbz 18y ago

Sign me up for the hype list. I tried one of those for a while; couldn't find a comfortable position to save my life.