Leap vs. Fern: My Opinion 1 Year Later
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
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The Haworth Fern is one of the first chairs to potentially overtake the Leap as my daily driver. Is the Fern good enough to beat out the Steelcase Leap? In this video, I take a closer look at both and let you know why it might be the new #1 office chair pick.
Watch Next: Steelcase Leap Review - My Opinion 3 Years Later • Steelcase Leap v2 Revi...
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Steelcase Leap bit.ly/302lAbT (BTOD Refurbished)
Steelcase Leap hbit.ly/3PS3KB9 (Steelcase)
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My first ever chair was secret lab. Then I transited to this local brand call Ergotune supreme. After which I change to fern, man this is the best ever.
Same, lol, I really liked my SecretLab for about a year and a half, then once I started having longer gaming sessions, I realized the raised sides of the bucket-style seat base was becoming way too uncomfortable, so I stopped using it and started using a hand me down office chair from my work, which was still not great, but better with a flat seat...now I have a Steelcase Leap V2 and this is only my 2nd day but so far it's a whole 'nother level, lol...not sure what to do with my Omega though, it's still in great shape, probably sell it to recoup some cost of the Leap.
Hi! One thing that has been commented on in the video regarding recline caught my attention, so I would like to tell you my views on the matter and take the opportunity to ask you advice if you are so kind. I have an Embody and its behavior when reclining is that the seat drops TOO far down, that causes the front of the seat to collide with the back of my thighs and makes my legs very tired after sitting for a while, and I have to get up and go lie down for a while, I guess because of the lack of circulation.
I also have a Leap and I don't have this problem with it, because as you said, the seat stays stable when reclining, plus it leans forward a bit like you mention in the video.
I don't know what Herman Miller was thinking when designing the Embody. They should have made the backrest move independently of the seat (which I think gaming chairs do well, and that's the only thing they do well), and allow the hip angle to open up, instead of forcing you into that 90º position lengthwise of all recline. This would sacrifice the rocking effect, but I don't see it as important as opening the hip angle, and above all, not cutting off circulation to the legs. Dropping the back of the seat just a little would have been enough not to slide the user out of the chair. I also had an Aeron for a while and it was just as bad if not worse because of the hard plastic lip on the seat frame.
So, I have this problem with the Embody, a problem that the Leap does not have, although I can't use the Leap because the seat padding it's so bad that it gives me horrible irritation on my tailbone and sitting on it for more than half an hour makes every muscle in my body ache.
I'm evaluating getting a Gesture. I've seen in your videos that when reclining the seat drops back apparently a bit, but certainly not as much as on the Embody.
You who have tried the Gesture long enough (I never) would you recommend the Gesture to recline comfortably without cutting off the circulation of the legs, considering the problem I describe? Another chair that comes on my radar is the Humanscale Freedom, although the headrest also has its drawbacks.
Sorry for the length of the message. Thank you very much and kind regards!
I looked at both of these chairs before ordering the Leap. Can't wait, it's due in next week. Maybe this is a tip for dealers of the Fern, but what turned me off was the massive amount of dust/lint that accumulated inside the seat back. It was very noticeable with the large opening. Hopefully other dealers clean their demos better. It looked to me like the seatback material constantly moves/rubs against the plastic gridding and creates a lot of dust. I'd be curious to know how that holds up after years of use.
Can you recommend a plush leatherette executive chair that is adjustable with a headrest? I also need arm rests that move out of the way so I can pull up close to my desk. I am looking at the era galaxy chair but there is almost no information available on the chair.
How do these chairs compare to the embody?
Hi @BTODtv, I'm 6'0 tall, which one do you think would be better for me, Amia or Fern? Thanks
Any info about those pyramid sound diffusers on the wall...? :)
is this headrest on the fern easily removable?
What color is the base? Metallic silver or metallic champagne? I’m having a hard time choosing based on the images provided from the Haworth website.
Once again a great video, have been watching you guys for weeks now. Ultimately my decision now boils down to either the Leap V2 or a brand new Sayl (gaming variant, full option except lumbar add on). Price is roughly the same though the Leap V2 will be refurbished (around $600). Considering all of this, is the Leap V2 the obvious choice in your guys' opinion?
How tall are you? If you’re close to 6’ or over I’d probably avoid the Sayl. The back will hit your shoulders. If you want a bit softer seat, the Sayl is a better option. The Leap is likely to be a better chair for most people, but it’s not perfect -GK
@@btodtv Thank you for the quick reply! I am about 5'9 which I guess should be a good height for using the Sayl. Only downside is that I would order the Gaming Sayl which comes without the lumbar add on but it will be around €70 cheaper than a fully specced out one (taking into account their current 15% discount on Gaming chairs).
Taking this into account, would you say ordering the Sayl without the lumbar add on is still a good choice? In your review you say the additional lumbar support is very subtle, but I am curious about the difference in terms of back support and comfort when ordering it without this feature.
I know that this is rather specific but could your recommend a chair around 500$/€ that has detachable or no armrests? I play guitar and need the space that these armrests occupy.
You are the best in this field. I got a refurbished Amia, and so happy with that. Thanks a lot! A little question. Is it possible to attach a headrest somehow to Amia?
Thank you! I wouldn’t recommend putting one on after market just because it would likely be sloppy -GK
This is probably out of your score of coverage, but I'd love to know if you have any tips for cleaning chairs. My Aeron gets all kinds of dust in the mesh and I'm not sure if I should hose it down or just vacuum it.
I just use an air compressor for my chair and there are a number of videos on steam cleaning the aeron if you want something more sterile.
Have you ever tried a Vitra ID chair? Curious on how you would rate that one. There are pretty much no reviews at all online.
We haven't had a chance to try that product -GK
pls do a razer iskur review, it looks to be more comfortable than titan evo 2022
Good video. I'm slowly getting around to buy a great chair as I'm transitioning into full work from home and want only the best for my home office setup.
Good luck! -GK
Great video. One of the things that I have been struggling with and do not see a lot of commentary around is the actual size of the seat pan (depth specifically) and then the range of the pan if it is adjustable. As note, I am 6’2” and weigh about 185lbs. What I have found is that it seems as though most chairs are designed for people up to around 5’11”. If your height exceeds that, choices become somewhat limited. I currently use a Leap V2. By and large, I love the Leap with one exception, the seat is just not quite deep enough. I think that one of the issues is that front of the seat is curved. If the seat were square I think that it would be great. I have been considering the Fern and the Steelcase Gesture as a replacement for my Leap. Any suggestions will be much appreciated. FYI, I have ruled out most brands because of other requirements (example, Herman Miller).
Well you can rule out the Gesture, as the seat pan is identical in size to the Leap. I am 6'4" and I also feel like the Gesture seat pan is too short. If I crank it forward then my tailbone falls off the back edge. I have been considering trying the Leap Plus (which is significantly bigger) or modifying my gesture seat pan.
I am 6 foot 7. Tried the fern and it was a big no go because of the seat pan. I am biased but these companies all seem to completely ignore the very tall and it seems to me that this day and age they could just tell their design software to multiply everything by 30 percent and spit out the instructions to manufacturing.
@@Dave-cf4vd Thanks Dave for the insight.
@@BradThurber Thank you for information.
Do either of these chairs have a tilt limiter like the Herman Miller chairs? I need a new chair since the Embody is causing me to have pain in my back/ribcage and really don't want to give up having a tilt limiter and this feature is really hard to discern from description pages and reviews.
Both have tilt limiter. -Ryan
I'm still in love with my Fern chair. It's fit me perfectly from new t'il now. The seat has indeed softened up a bit over time, and thus even better now than before, still feeling very supportive yet a bit more forgiving with butt comfort.
Oh, I should add, you can actually remove the lumbar on the Fern. However, it does take quite a bit of complex disassembly which the average consumer will not want to do. There's a couple videos on youtube with instruction.
I'm stuck trying to choose between Leap v2 vs Fern with digital mesh and lumbar and aluminum base 😅. Ridiculously hard.
Do you have any recommendations for larger people. I am looking to replace my current chair (I have a Titan XL, and may I say that chair is utter crap), and am considering the leap, but the thin pad makes me nervous. I am 6' 6" and around 340 lbs, so any chair I get has to be able to handle both height and weight. I have also considered the some of CXO's offerings, but have not been able to find a place near by in which I can actually sit in any of these chairs. Do you have a direction I might look for something that will be comfortable, and not wear out in a few months?
Leap Plus.
Definitely the Leap v2 plus or maybe a R & H chair.
A few months ago I thought end-of-July would be comparing the Karman to the Cosm or Humanscales...
When did Karman's release get delayed to the fall?
Unsure, but we did get a chance to use it at Neocon Chicago last month. Pretty sweet -GK
I just got my fern a few days ago. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the overall chair. Have to agree with you about the arms being a bit flimsy, but the overall build quality is amazing. I got the one with lumber support and a metal base for under $950.
Nice! Do you like the lumbar? -GK
@@btodtv yes I prefer the lumbar support. I use my chair 10 hours a day usually in the upright position.
What are your impressions after all these months?
New or used, and if new where was it from?
"Under 950" for a dud .... fukry
My Amia is coming in a few days and I'm incredibly excited to sit in a high quality chair. Would you say the Amia has similar breath-ability to the Leap? One thing I think would improve your videos even more is having people of differing heights give an opinion on the chairs. A lot of your videos have people who are over 6 foot, I think if you had someone on the shorter side and in between, give their thoughts on whatever chair you're reviewing would be a huge help in understanding if a chair would fit better (I'm 5' 7"). Anyways thanks for these vids, keep it up!
You will love the Amia. I would say breathability-wise, it's going to be similar to the Leap. The only way to change that would be to get the mesh back alternative.
Ryan is 5'9" and he is in this video :) Appreciate the tip as always!
-GK
I just bought 3 Amias, one for my wife one for a coworker, and one for a friend. My wife is 5' 1". The impressive thing I've found with the Amia is that it's able to fit her shorter frame (I would say it's not for anyone shorter than 5' though as she has the seat distance to the shortest setting and the front of the chair is just touching the back of her knees. You will really enjoy the Amia, I own a Leap V2, and I will confidently say the Amia has the more comfortable seat cushion, though I'm more partial to the lumbar support of the leap as well as the way the leap's seat cushion moves when you recline. The Amia chair fits my coworker who is also around 5'7" very well. He was complaining of back and shoulder pain so I got him an Amia to help in that dept and so far he said it's helped alot. The Leap and the Amia for the most part use identical fabrics, both pretty breathable even during the humid time of the year. The fabrics they use do stain quite easily so having a spot cleaner on hand and treating the chairs every year or so will definitely help keep them looking fresh.
How tall are you? Would these chairs work for someone who is 6'5"?
it looks like your Fern has the plastic base. do you think the plastic is less prone to creaks/squeaks than the aluminum base?
Metal bases will be more prone to a "clanging" sound because of the casters and the metal base but I wouldn't consider it to be squeaky or creaky. I am not annoyed by it. -RB
I think I saw that you guys mentioned you're getting another fern without the lumbar or headrest. Really interested to see if your opinion of the chair changes.
Ryan is reviewing that this week. It came without lumbar and headrest, but included the digital knit backrest -GK
I just got my fern with headrest and without lumbar a week or two ago. I had tested one in store that was the opposite - no headrest, with lumbar - and I can attest that lumbar is 100% not a requirement since the back is already supportive but I could never go without a headrest. The depth of recline on the Fern is as about as far as the Leap and really invites you to kick your feet up and relax... something that would be very hard to do with no headrest. Ironically, I like that the Fern's headrest is not prominent when you're sitting up; unlike chairs like the HumanScale Freedom where the headrest is absolutely obnoxious.
Highly recommend the Fern as a contender for anyone's next desk chair upgrade!
@@meerdeadpool how tall are you? I'm 6'3.
@@meerdeadpool are you still enjoying the headrest? Does it interfere when tasking? Is a user able to remove it similar to their lumbar? When sitting fully upright do you feel the back fully supports you?
@@b_dominant7726 I’m 5’6” and have the headrest notched all the way down (think of how you can raise and lower a car headrest). It has probably a good 6” of settings to raise or lower vertically.
I'd love for you check out a base fern as they do not have lumbar nor the headrest options, as these both seem to be problematic for you. Could really be a S tier chair for you!
Video coming soon on this exact topic! -RB
For the Leap, since the cushion is thinner, how long does it last, would it thin out and become painful?
I have a refurbished leap and the seat is pretty thin
I've been using the fern for a year without lumbar and the shape of the backrest pushes my shoulders forward while my lower back gets no support, the seat also hurts after an hour
your height? your weight?
I know this is 6 months old, but from my chair research recently, it seems the lumbar add-on is actually pretty easy to remove from the Fern, as well.
had leap chairs about 2 years, really enjoy the chair, and cushion is firm & supportive ,, ,, dislike soft seat make me feel sleep kind of lowing my productivity,,,,, adjustability is great and very robust built, my gf sometime sit on the armrest while standing working, and armrest didn't break lolz,,,,only problem is fabric easy to get dirty .
We just need a Leap v3 that has a thicker seat.
great video but the sound is too small.
BTod! The Branch Verve just released, will you be reviewing it?
I’m 5’0 and would love to see a video for short people setups with desk/footrests/chair combos!
A few weeks ago a guy on Facebook Marketplace had a beautiful chocolate and white Fern for sale but ultimately I passed on it because I have never sat in one and don't know much about it. Still kind of wish I bought it, oh well.
How much? -GK
@@btodtv $450. Luxhide fabric with headrest, 4d arms, 4d adjustable seat pan and multi stage back lock and metal base.
The back curve of Fern is not suitable for everyone. If you have a long torso, the hard top edge of the backrest may press into your shoulders and cause pain. You should definitely try it out before buying.
I think I saw a video of people disassembling fern and the lumbar support is removable.
Where is that Best chairs under $500 vid?
The seat cushion on the Fern doesn't have a rounded rear edge for your tail bone like the leap. Total shame because it's otherwise great.
Yes, I have a Fern and getting a leap just because of that problem.
I'm 6'2 so if I move the seat pan where it should be, my ass is hanging off the seat, if I move it back, my thighs go unsupported.
Seriously 1 or 2" inches more seat and it would be perfect.
I love my Leap chair!! It gives me the maximum comfort that i need.
Idk why this test is so much focused on balancing your chair the whole time. Ergonomic chairs are made at first to avoid back problem lol..
Logitech g703 , great mouse
Grrr… how can I trust it when you sell the leap on your site.
We sell it because we like it -Greg
Let me make it easy for everyone reading this: Buy a very good condition used Leap V2 from a reputable wholesaler and call it a day! I got mine for $450 locally on Craigslist and I could have cheaped out and gotten one as cheap as $300. Mine is in excellent "like new" condition with ALL the features. I love this chair.
So the most expensive chairs are the best chairs? Oh and you guys sell chairs? Got it. Good thing I enjoy sitting on a 2"x4" stood up on its end because I am poor.
First!
Maybe the reason the Leap is always their #1 chair is because they sell refurbished Leap chairs. :)
Except it was #1 a year and a half before we started to sell it? Maybe we sell it now because we think it’s one of the best? -GK
@@btodtv I imagine it will always be the best, since you’re incentivized now.
@@kristophersouza8104 There are a billion videos out there with people saying they love the Leap. not so sure why you find it weird it's ranked #1, lots of people rank it #1. My neighbor loves his Amia, the hospital has hundreds of Amias, Steelcase makes great chairs.
Nope, it's just a really solid chair that is right up there with the Aeron. The only thing which truly separates them is preference and of course the companies themselves.