This chair was fairly easy to put together, the instructions were clear and I was about to follow along with no issues at all. It took me about 20 minutes to assemble. ruclips.net/user/postUgkx5hPALGI87E991DRmXev8PUFJGrrRcONS I did stuff the back of the chair with a pillow so it wouldn’t be so hollow after taking all the pieces out but that’s just a personal preference. I also added a pillow for lumbar support because although this is a great chair and is comfortable, it’s not necessarily the best if you’re sitting 10+ hrs a day wfh but in all honesty for the price, I didn’t mind at all. It looks great in my space and easily adjusts the height when needed.
sitting in a leap v2 at this moment(3 years after this review) and have been using this chair for the last 2 years. BEST DAMN CHAIR I have ever used. I've worked in a lot of high tech firms and have pretty much tried everything in the 100-1500 range. there are a lot of great chairs in that price range...but i like this one best. Highly recommend finding a reconditioned/refurbed one for around 5-600bucks....and you can find them used in great condition for around $350 if you're lucky, $400 or so many places. Steelcase chairs are not designed to last you 5 years or so...more like 15....and i've seen many last longer than that.
Yeah I can definitely tell it's built better and more comfortable than the IKEA chairs I've used/using. Great to hear you're happy with the chair I'm not surprised.
I have been using my Steelcase Gesture chair with headrest and adjustable lumbar support and it truly is a dream come true. I would be greeting with discomfort sitting over extended periods of time in other chairs I have tried but that is not the case with this chair.
I've owned a Leap v2 for about 4 years. It is an amazingly good chair. I tried both the Aeron and Embody but the leap was more comfortable and more practical
Got a leap v2 for like 350 only 6 months old all the stickers on it when a local business went out. They had 4 chairs, 2 of them were scuffed and 2 of them were mint you couldn't tell they were ever used! I ended up with a blue and black combo which looks amazing. This chair is soo worth it. I was about to drop the 1000usd and then just checked reddit and got super lucky! I got the Blue and Black I wanted in mint condition for 1/4 of the price! maybe even less. There are deals out there, if you're patient enough and live near or in a bigger city, you can find them! edit: I was reading down the comments and noticed people talking about used and refurbished. There's a big difference there. If the chair was refurbished by a third party it is NOT the same chair it once was. It was damaged in someway (these chairs don't break unless they are dropped down a flight of stairs btw or someone weighing 350lbs+) which in that case you don't want that specific chair. If it's used and has all original working parts.. that's the one you want. Make sure they steam clean it or you do the same and make sure everything feels firm and not worn. Scratches are whatever unless they are on the armrests which are super soft so you want to keep those fresh. There are near mint, barely used leap v2s out there that offices blow there budget on and keep stored in the back for years til they sell them and buy new ones again in a few years. You can get lucky, just look around and be patient. And head my warning about refurbished. You're much better off to get a barely used one with all original parts and materials. This chair is built to last. I've seen ones that are 4 years old and taken care of and look near mint! Let alone feel mint forever. This chair is 10/10
This isn't true. A lot of refurbished chairs are called refurbished just because they change out the seating fabric or have done things like steam clean them and so on. It does not necessarily mean there was any direct damage on the chair's mechanisms.
@@Jhakaro even better. These chairs are so expensive... leave it to the big corporations to continue to fund these ridiculous prices and then by them when they need to increase their budgets and sell them to office supply stores lol.
I purchased the Leap V2 in black leather with what looks like a stainless steel base last year. I guess I lucked out on the price for $250 used in excellent condition because this year the price has doubled. I am in IT and I work from home. I am in my chair at 5am and I am on and off all the way through 11pm. I think that's almost 18 hours. After a year of use I have absolutely no complaints about this chair. If I could not find a used model a I would pay full price for a new one. It is super comfortable, even after sitting for hours without getting up. BTW, don't do this, get up and stretch and walk around. I recommend the chair highly. I wish I had purchased more when I had the chance. The used chair seller in Queens tells me that he is having trouble getting chairs ever since Covid. He says businesses are holding on to them. You can't go wrong with a Leap v2 but I am sure a Gesture is really nice too.
Great review, very through! I'm currently in the market for a top tier office chair after realizing I spend 50+ hours a week sitting in it for work/home use. I've recently tried these and some of the herman miller models. Both companies seem to make top notch products. If anyone is looking I can't recommend enough *GO TRY THEM IN PERSON.* To people that say they're too expensive... I'd just point out plenty of people spend a lot of money on a car or a bed. They're worth the price in my opinion if you are going to spend roughly 1/3 of your day in it and care about potential long term back issues. I'm leaning towards the Gesture and adding the lumbar support option. It doesn't sound like much but the arm motion is just amazing and seems to put the Gesture over the top for me.
I LOVE my Leap v2! Hunt for a solid second-hand seller and buy it in person. I picked mine up for $300 and am absolutely blown away by the comfort. I had a Herman Miller Sayl chair before the Leap and it doesn't even compare. (however, I realize chairs are very personal)
I've been using the Gesture for over a year now and I am very happy with it. I do understand that it is quite an expensive chair but if you're working in front of a computer all day long, consider it to be more of a work tool. A chair like this will last you much longer than a cheap one, which actually makes it less expensive that the price tag might suggest.
Completely agree... People spend thousands on a bed saying they'll spend roughly 1/3 of every day in it. Well if you work at a computer the same can be said for this chair. I worry about the long term effects on my back so I think of it as an investment to help prevent issues down the road. Not to mention it's comfortable and top tier quality as well!
I have a Leap v1 and v2 both are great. Actually prefer the more padded armrests on the v1 but the looks of the v2. Gesture seat is harder and not as comfortable for all day use imo
I like the way the leap hugs my back but the headrest on the gesture is on a different level. I like to recline my chair a lot and with the Gesture I find it way more comfortable in the reclined position.
I have the Gesture. One thing that I took for granted was how good the armrest are. You can instantly put yourself to work, whether its typing, checking an e-mail on you phone at eye level and even just leaning on them. I didn't think it would make that big of a difference until I spent the day at the library with "standard" armrest. The seat not moving forward when you recline is a litle annoying but i found the adjustability in the arms worth it.
Hi, is it worth getting that extra lumbar support option? some ppl said they do not consider necesary, since the suport itself is enough. The reclining can go loose? I mean you can adjust it to go really lose? I wouldn't want to push my back forward too much
I'm in the market for a chair and recently tried these out. I completely agree. I didn't realize how big of a deal that'd be but I think it makes a huge difference. It's the feature making me lean towards the Gesture over the Leap or Herman Miller models I tried.
@@eirikr47 if your still looking for the answer... you dont need the extra lumbar support. I have lumbar support on my car and my previous chair leap v1 they dont really help that much as the seat is already designed to support the lower back, i think they call their technology live back support. good luck on your chair journey.
@@rayrayrun hello, I've been using the gesture for 6 months now, and I don't have lumbar support and neither the head-rest. And I am really satisfied wih the product :]
I'm a disabled vet with back problems and this chair is the best pain reliever I've ever found. It's truly a masterpiece of engineering and ergonomics. I work from home and spend about 80% of my waking hours in a Steelcase Gesture. I've had it for 2 years and it still looks feels and operates just like the day I purchased it. I would have purchased 4 or 5 chairs for $200-$300 (historically) by now.. so I saved $500, a lot of pain, and a lot of trouble. This chair is no joke!
@@GreyWarden_ I said in my post that it was the Gesture. Specifically the Buzz2 - Black (5F17) Gesture. My post is 2yrs old, and I'm still using it with no repairs necessary. It was received in Jan 2016.
@@MrSengjoo Not at all. It has a breathable raised texture. That raised texture isn't uncomfortable on the skin of my legs if I'm wearing shorts. I must say though, that on the rare occasion that I've placed my bare cheeks on it, they do find it somewhat irritating... but not overly warm. TMI?
We have the Think in our lab, which is a great chair. After seeing this video I thought Leap looked like just an upgraded Think. I went to a liquidator and sat on a Leap, definitely more comfy than the Think. Even though the liquidator was selling Leaps for $250 I bought it new from an authorized dealer. I'd rather have the warranty and assurance that everything is authentic (not refurbished with shitty upholstery/casters). tl;dr thanks for the great review.
I bought a used Steelcase Gesture today based off your videos! You've been my go-to RUclipsr for home office stuff. Wish you'd make more content agian, but until then, I'll be here! :)
I've sat in both a Steelcase Leap and Herman Miller Aeron. They're both amazing chairs but I went with the newly released (nov 2016) Aeron. They're both much better than any race car gaming chair.
I’ve owned both, Leap longer and just got a Gesture. Good points on each end. Leap is slightly more comfortable, from the fabric to the padding. However, I prefer more upright posture with Gesture and armrests. Also I like it for crossing legs more as cushion is larger and roomier.
@@dirtysprite_ you can still have good posture with Leap but it’s slightly leaned back instead of a more 90 degree angle. It’s not a huge diff between them though but preferred Gesture. They both have some incline. If you want the best tho, Aeron with forward tilt is awesome for this although mesh wasn’t as comfy for me
Great content! I was thinking of trying out both chairs. I wonder if more companies are using a universal design as they know most people won't touch adjustments. Don't know how well it works for "enthusiasts" but for everyone else - might be a win.
@@abdulsalam32x Good work! if you are experiencing upper back and neck problems (as I am) check your arm posture and make sure your head isn't leaning forward. I am an artist and keeping my arms over extended for years really bust my neck.
I feel your pain, I ordered a Global office chair and then had to return it (it was utterly defective :-| ) to a store about 30 min away from my house. And then the next day, I realized that 5 min away from the Global dealer was a Herman Miller dealer... so, it happens.
Thank you for testing out these two chairs. So how did you feel after a few hours of being in them? Also, when testing did you have a chance to sit for a while in either and work on your laptop ?
Honestly it's really hard for me to gauge how the chairs would be in a real world scenario even after testing them for a couple hours. I sat with them at a desk for a bit here and there trying to mimic the working experience. And they are definitely comfortable but in real world testing you're sitting on these for an entire days, week after week, where you start slouching, developing new pressure points or showing bad habits from working on the computer that I can't correlated with a brief test at a showroom.
Did you have any opinion on the various upholstery options? At least online, it looks like the Leap offers both "Buzz2" and "Cogent: Connect" fabric options, while the Gesture only offers Cogent: Connect (I'm not considering leather because I get too hot).
Hi David thanks for the amazing reviews! I m located north of Toronto in Canada. I want to try and purchase my first Leap v2/Gesture chair but I dont know where to buy them in Canada. Do you know any online store or physical stores that sells these chairs, new or used?
We supply both Steelcase Leap V2 and Steelcase Gesture chairs, visit our website www.poi.ca/products/category/seating/ to inquire, we have a showroom in Barrie if you are interested!
I tried both of them at healthyback store. I prefer gesture over leap. All three leap chairs at the store made squicking noise with friction I was able to feel when I lean back. In the end I picked x chair but gesture would been my pick if it wasnt for x chair.
I went in thinking I'd love the Leap but the Gesture did it for me, so I got that! I have an Embody for work and I think the Gesture is possibly even more comfortable!
@@adlawd3297 If X chair didn't listen to my custom order, I would've picked Gesture. Try X chair next time. The only downside with X chair was X2 mesh seat had metal frame around the edge of the seat that can cause pain at the side of my leg. They had 1 inch wider version but it also make armrests that much further apart which was too wide. And then I picked X3 memory foam seat to protect myself from the metal framework but the backrest wasn't as supportive as X2 mesh backrest. I requested X2 mesh backrest + X3 memory foam seat and they approved it. I think X2 dynamic back support was even better than Gesture. Try it someday.
Good choice, I love my leap!! I've been using it for 2 years and it's worth splurging this kind of money on such a comfortable work chair. Definitely get a head rest.
Sitting in a Gesture with headrest right now - the faux leather...and it's HOT! I'm seriously contemplating returning it. Super bummed, because I agree is the nicest looking of the two, and I liked the adjustable headrest (vs. the Leap's). However, the Leap DID feel more comfortable to me in the show room (despite looking and feeling cheaper)...and I really liked that the Leap's seat pan moved forward when I reclined (I intend to work at a slight recline). Bummed as I waited a month to get my Gesture, but I'm not sure it's the chair for me. Just need to decide if the tradeoff in cleanability (crumbs, dog hair, etc.) on the fabric upholstery is worth the cooler temp vs. the leather. Wish they made a leather-seat/mesh back option.
Hi David, was wondering about the padded, upholstered looking armrests on the leather Gesture in the video. They look much softer than the typical armrests. I don't seem to see that upgrade option on the Gesture.
What I don't like about the leap and gesture is the recline. I own the leap v2 and it's annoying that it doesn't move with your back when coming up from recline. It kind of lags and is slow. I think the aeron's recline is better imo.
Do they make standing desk versions of these? Really like the idea of a nice ergo chair, but I also would like a standing desk, partially for storage clearance underneath, and because I'd like a tall workbench for other projects like building PC's, RC vehicles, working on guns, etc. Reason for this multi-usability necessity is because I live in a studio apartment. 11 feet by 19 feet is all I get to myself, not including the shared bathroom, separate shared shower, and shared kitchen with the other two tenants.
It's an insane thing to buy a chair for over a grand. But when your back is so jacked from sitting that the thought of sitting scares you, it's well worth it.
Hi David, great review, I went to test out both those chairs a couple of years ago at the same POI location you went to but didn't pull the trigger because of the price at the time for me. I personally like the looks on the Gesture as well but comfort wise, the Leap V2 is the one to go for me. Now, I'm back on the market and I've discovered that Steelcase has another chair which has a similar feature to the Leap V2, and it's called Amia. Would you be able to do a review on the Amia and maybe compare them to the Leap V2 and Gesture? Thank you!
I was able to snag a leap V2 for 60dlls. This guy had gotten them from an office that was remodeling. He didn't know what he had, so of course I snagged one. Verified with the model number on the bottom of the seat and it was legit.
Do you know if there is a standard naming convention for the function in the Leap described as the seat pan moving forward as you lean back? Are you aware of any other chairs that have this function?
I find the headrest of Gesture can push head forward when upright even at the lowest setting. How about Leap? I know the headrest is not as adjustable but is it not so forward when upright?
I have a leap v2 and a steelcase amia and I find the amia to be my favorite daily driver chair. I however have been eyeballing a gesture because they look so nice.
Nice, there is a POI business interior near me, I am going to be booking an appointment. I think you might live nearby lol, wish I could enlist you to help set up my gaming room. I seriously need a more ergonomic setup, been watching your videos and its inspired me to buy a more ergonomic chair, and one day a desk that can switch between sitting and standing. Thanks for the video.
you know you're definitely hitting the big leagues when you're no longer reviewing ikea chairs/furniture :P the head rest seemed like it needed some WD40 since it looked like you needed to exert some strength to adjust it. great video once again!
lol. just window shopping. Can't afford one of these yet. You don't want the head rest too loose or it will move on it's own. That we be even more annoying I'd imagine. Thanks!
I want the gesture but the price is way too high for me. It’s much easier to find Leap V2’s and Aeron’s for cheap prices since they’re the most common in offices and they get liquidated quite often.
Thanks. Yeah the Think chairs look really nice as well. The Steelcase Amia is another lower cost option I was looking at too. Too many chairs to test. lol
If you like to recline every so often then definitely pay the extra for the headrest. The recline works very well on the Leap so you may find that position quite satisfying and it only is comfortable with your head properly supported. Else you would have to stiffen your neck muscles and thats hardly a good thing.
Nice review. I'm sitting on a Gesture right now that has an adjustable lumbar support in terms of position (not tension). Not sure if that was also an option at the time of your review but it is now.
i always sit with my left leg up on the chair. no chair material has lasted more than a year from that. The fabric always rips where my foot rests (i dont wear shoes when sitting like this).
I love my leap but the thing that bothers me is that my ass keeps sliding down. I tried the Herman miller embody and the automatic backward tilt seems to prevent it. I see they made the gesture behave similar to the embody. But probably the ultimate way would be to make the seat tilt and shift forward at the same time. The headrest on the leap is a hack and it doesn't work that well for me. It's a bit to far back and when I recline it tends to click down because I'm taller than average. Overall I like the feel of the embody best but it does not have a head rest. Sometimes I like resting on the chair and listening to music and for that a headrest is essential.
that's weird. I had an Embody that I returned recently. Went to a Steelcase dealer to try the Leap and the Gesture. Gesture feels the best but seems a bit narrower so I went with the Leap + headrest. The steelcase chairs instantly felt better than the Embody. The Embody's backrest was too hard I just couldn't sit still in it. The Leap was super comfy and relaxing to sit in... Will see how it holds out. My only worry is that there's an opening lip at the back of the seat where my butt isn't fully supported at the bottom of the backrest.
Yesterday I tried the Gesture... I like it but it didn't have a headrest. I have to wait to try again with the headrest. In some ways it's better than the leap. The main problem of the leap is still not fixed on the Gesture. There is no back tilt of the seat when leaning back so there is potential for my bottom to slip forward like on the leap. A big plus are the improved controls which are much faster to adjust.
The leap v2 does not seem to have seat pan tilt. Only tilts when you change the back recline settings which is kind of annoying. When you are sitting upright & the seat pan is facing down making it pretty uncomfortable tbh.
It should not tilt. The tilt only slows down blood circulation in your legs. You tilt your back in a different position, your legs stay on the floor, it doesn't make any sense to tilt the seating pan. That is the biggest minus for the Gesture chair, but it is just a slight tilt, it does not follow backrest tilt. Only cheapest chairs tilt seating pan along with the backrest.
I've just bought the leap V2 second hand that's been refurbished, and i don't know if it's just me, but the entire chair just seems a bit loose and flimsy which causes a lot of rattling sounds. I'm wondering if anyone else thinks this?
New ones are not like this. You get what you pay for. In this case, it appears your chair's former life was used as an office race chair competing and crashing into office furniture while trying to get the best lap times.
Sahin G Can you really put a price on your health? if you work on the PC and spend enough time on it playing games or browsing the web, it's a worthwhile investment. Plus you can find some decent deals on refurbished models on Kijiji
Gaming chairs= bad back. Hardly any of them have lower back lumbar support, They are all straight and just throw in a cushion to try and hide the poor design. Owned 2 and never again. Would have been cheaper just to get 1 good chair. Now my back is stuffed, Save your money for a decent ergonomic chair. I can't play games for more than an hour with gaming chairs.
Gaming chairs can work if the lumbar pillow works with your body. Also secretlab, noblechairs, and maxnomic all have chairs with built in lumbar adjustments now. I think they're all the same oem but regardless that is a common point of feedback and it seems to be catching on in the industry.
I think the cost is mainly due to the amount of customization available so that the chair fits your body perfectly while you're working. It's about promoting good posture and back support if you're working at a desk job for 40 hours a week or more.
Going from a nightingale cxo to stealcase... I can confirm there is no build quality better than the nightingale. Its like a steel brick with comfort level to match
In 20 years of working in large company offices, I have to say that I have never seen anyone sit with their legs crossed on an office chair. I am not sure what doing so is supposed to test.
@@burningknuckle26 What is one supposed to do in that position? you can't possibly type well in that position? you can't reach too far in any direction. I guess if you worked in a call center? Honestly, with all of the ergonomic instruction we get in corporate America, I'm sure it probably breaks some company rule.
@@kcgunesq they work in that position. Often times one likes to switch seating positions. You can't stay in 1 for to long or else you will get a bit uncomfortable.
In my country the Gesture fully specced out is ~1050 Bucks and the Leap is 1660 -.- Baseprice of the Leap is already 300+ Bucks more than gesture when fully loaded. Why is that? I dont get chair pricing at all.
And something else - bear in mind that Okamura Contessa II (their top model) is a pretty expensive chair. I have bought mine for more than 1200 British pounds years ago.
This chair was fairly easy to put together, the instructions were clear and I was about to follow along with no issues at all. It took me about 20 minutes to assemble. ruclips.net/user/postUgkx5hPALGI87E991DRmXev8PUFJGrrRcONS I did stuff the back of the chair with a pillow so it wouldn’t be so hollow after taking all the pieces out but that’s just a personal preference. I also added a pillow for lumbar support because although this is a great chair and is comfortable, it’s not necessarily the best if you’re sitting 10+ hrs a day wfh but in all honesty for the price, I didn’t mind at all. It looks great in my space and easily adjusts the height when needed.
sitting in a leap v2 at this moment(3 years after this review) and have been using this chair for the last 2 years. BEST DAMN CHAIR I have ever used. I've worked in a lot of high tech firms and have pretty much tried everything in the 100-1500 range. there are a lot of great chairs in that price range...but i like this one best. Highly recommend finding a reconditioned/refurbed one for around 5-600bucks....and you can find them used in great condition for around $350 if you're lucky, $400 or so many places. Steelcase chairs are not designed to last you 5 years or so...more like 15....and i've seen many last longer than that.
Sitting in a Gesture right now. Very happy with it, far superior to the Ikea chairs I've owned the past.
Yeah I can definitely tell it's built better and more comfortable than the IKEA chairs I've used/using. Great to hear you're happy with the chair I'm not surprised.
still sitting in the gesture? hows the seat?
@@vloneseraph nah, upgraded to an Aeron. Seat was fine, but could get kind of hot.
is the Aeron good for long hours? @@johansnitt
@@nachoci6876 yea
I have been using my Steelcase Gesture chair with headrest and adjustable lumbar support and it truly is a dream come true. I would be greeting with discomfort sitting over extended periods of time in other chairs I have tried but that is not the case with this chair.
I've owned a Leap v2 for about 4 years. It is an amazingly good chair. I tried both the Aeron and Embody but the leap was more comfortable and more practical
I love my leap chair!
Got a leap v2 for like 350 only 6 months old all the stickers on it when a local business went out. They had 4 chairs, 2 of them were scuffed and 2 of them were mint you couldn't tell they were ever used! I ended up with a blue and black combo which looks amazing. This chair is soo worth it. I was about to drop the 1000usd and then just checked reddit and got super lucky! I got the Blue and Black I wanted in mint condition for 1/4 of the price! maybe even less. There are deals out there, if you're patient enough and live near or in a bigger city, you can find them!
edit: I was reading down the comments and noticed people talking about used and refurbished. There's a big difference there. If the chair was refurbished by a third party it is NOT the same chair it once was. It was damaged in someway (these chairs don't break unless they are dropped down a flight of stairs btw or someone weighing 350lbs+) which in that case you don't want that specific chair. If it's used and has all original working parts.. that's the one you want. Make sure they steam clean it or you do the same and make sure everything feels firm and not worn. Scratches are whatever unless they are on the armrests which are super soft so you want to keep those fresh. There are near mint, barely used leap v2s out there that offices blow there budget on and keep stored in the back for years til they sell them and buy new ones again in a few years. You can get lucky, just look around and be patient. And head my warning about refurbished. You're much better off to get a barely used one with all original parts and materials. This chair is built to last. I've seen ones that are 4 years old and taken care of and look near mint! Let alone feel mint forever. This chair is 10/10
This isn't true. A lot of refurbished chairs are called refurbished just because they change out the seating fabric or have done things like steam clean them and so on. It does not necessarily mean there was any direct damage on the chair's mechanisms.
@@Jhakaro even better. These chairs are so expensive... leave it to the big corporations to continue to fund these ridiculous prices and then by them when they need to increase their budgets and sell them to office supply stores lol.
I purchased the Leap V2 in black leather with what looks like a stainless steel base last year. I guess I lucked out on the price for $250 used in excellent condition because this year the price has doubled. I am in IT and I work from home. I am in my chair at 5am and I am on and off all the way through 11pm. I think that's almost 18 hours. After a year of use I have absolutely no complaints about this chair. If I could not find a used model a I would pay full price for a new one. It is super comfortable, even after sitting for hours without getting up. BTW, don't do this, get up and stretch and walk around. I recommend the chair highly. I wish I had purchased more when I had the chance. The used chair seller in Queens tells me that he is having trouble getting chairs ever since Covid. He says businesses are holding on to them. You can't go wrong with a Leap v2 but I am sure a Gesture is really nice too.
Great review, very through! I'm currently in the market for a top tier office chair after realizing I spend 50+ hours a week sitting in it for work/home use. I've recently tried these and some of the herman miller models. Both companies seem to make top notch products. If anyone is looking I can't recommend enough *GO TRY THEM IN PERSON.*
To people that say they're too expensive... I'd just point out plenty of people spend a lot of money on a car or a bed. They're worth the price in my opinion if you are going to spend roughly 1/3 of your day in it and care about potential long term back issues.
I'm leaning towards the Gesture and adding the lumbar support option. It doesn't sound like much but the arm motion is just amazing and seems to put the Gesture over the top for me.
more chair reviews!!! they're awesome
Haha. Thanks. If only I had more room in my place for multiple chairs.
I LOVE my Leap v2! Hunt for a solid second-hand seller and buy it in person. I picked mine up for $300 and am absolutely blown away by the comfort.
I had a Herman Miller Sayl chair before the Leap and it doesn't even compare. (however, I realize chairs are very personal)
I've been using the Gesture for over a year now and I am very happy with it.
I do understand that it is quite an expensive chair but if you're working in front of a computer all day long, consider it to be more of a work tool.
A chair like this will last you much longer than a cheap one, which actually makes it less expensive that the price tag might suggest.
It's about how much a good computer would cost you and it'll last longer and return you hours of comfort so yeah, expensive but can be quite worth it.
Hi, is it worth getting that extra lumbar support option? some ppl said they do not consider necesary, since the suport itself is enough.
Completely agree... People spend thousands on a bed saying they'll spend roughly 1/3 of every day in it. Well if you work at a computer the same can be said for this chair. I worry about the long term effects on my back so I think of it as an investment to help prevent issues down the road. Not to mention it's comfortable and top tier quality as well!
@@eirikr47 if you have lower back pain injuries or issues then definitely get the option added for maximum configuration
@@oldtwinsna8347 i dont have it. And i dont feel the need to have it. I also dont have back pain
I have a Leap v1 and v2 both are great. Actually prefer the more padded armrests on the v1 but the looks of the v2. Gesture seat is harder and not as comfortable for all day use imo
So you recommend the v2? Why gesture seat is hard though? It's supposed to be soft and ergonomic right? 🤔
@@subscribeorsus6862 actually, a firmer seat is much more ergonomic than a soft seat. Sinking into a soft, plush seat is not good for your back
I like the way the leap hugs my back but the headrest on the gesture is on a different level. I like to recline my chair a lot and with the Gesture I find it way more comfortable in the reclined position.
I just don’t recline much while working I guess
I have the Gesture. One thing that I took for granted was how good the armrest are. You can instantly put yourself to work, whether its typing, checking an e-mail on you phone at eye level and even just leaning on them. I didn't think it would make that big of a difference until I spent the day at the library with "standard" armrest. The seat not moving forward when you recline is a litle annoying but i found the adjustability in the arms worth it.
Hi, is it worth getting that extra lumbar support option? some ppl said they do not consider necesary, since the suport itself is enough. The reclining can go loose? I mean you can adjust it to go really lose? I wouldn't want to push my back forward too much
i bought a gesture and it makes a clicking noise when i lean all the way to the back, is that normal?
I'm in the market for a chair and recently tried these out. I completely agree. I didn't realize how big of a deal that'd be but I think it makes a huge difference. It's the feature making me lean towards the Gesture over the Leap or Herman Miller models I tried.
@@eirikr47 if your still looking for the answer... you dont need the extra lumbar support. I have lumbar support on my car and my previous chair leap v1 they dont really help that much as the seat is already designed to support the lower back, i think they call their technology live back support. good luck on your chair journey.
@@rayrayrun hello, I've been using the gesture for 6 months now, and I don't have lumbar support and neither the head-rest. And I am really satisfied wih the product :]
I'm a disabled vet with back problems and this chair is the best pain reliever I've ever found. It's truly a masterpiece of engineering and ergonomics. I work from home and spend about 80% of my waking hours in a Steelcase Gesture. I've had it for 2 years and it still looks feels and operates just like the day I purchased it. I would have purchased 4 or 5 chairs for $200-$300 (historically) by now.. so I saved $500, a lot of pain, and a lot of trouble. This chair is no joke!
Which chair are you talking about? Leap?
@@GreyWarden_ I said in my post that it was the Gesture. Specifically the Buzz2 - Black (5F17) Gesture. My post is 2yrs old, and I'm still using it with no repairs necessary. It was received in Jan 2016.
@@StrongHarm do you find the fabric hot?
@@MrSengjoo Not at all. It has a breathable raised texture. That raised texture isn't uncomfortable on the skin of my legs if I'm wearing shorts. I must say though, that on the rare occasion that I've placed my bare cheeks on it, they do find it somewhat irritating... but not overly warm. TMI?
We have the Think in our lab, which is a great chair. After seeing this video I thought Leap looked like just an upgraded Think. I went to a liquidator and sat on a Leap, definitely more comfy than the Think. Even though the liquidator was selling Leaps for $250 I bought it new from an authorized dealer. I'd rather have the warranty and assurance that everything is authentic (not refurbished with shitty upholstery/casters). tl;dr thanks for the great review.
I bought a used Steelcase Gesture today based off your videos! You've been my go-to RUclipsr for home office stuff. Wish you'd make more content agian, but until then, I'll be here! :)
your editing and voice awesome
thanks
Logic + Aesthetic = A Beautiful Review
David -- Thank you so much for this helpful comparison.
I've sat in both a Steelcase Leap and Herman Miller Aeron. They're both amazing chairs but I went with the newly released (nov 2016) Aeron. They're both much better than any race car gaming chair.
of course, considering they cost 3 times as much
@@kinnhem and are ment to last 3 times as much.
@@ChoJun69 you mean meant*? also, everyone knows how durable these chairs are, dont be a smartass on me you dumbass
@Huynh Tri why you cranky? Did your mommy not wake you up this morning?
I’ve owned both, Leap longer and just got a Gesture. Good points on each end. Leap is slightly more comfortable, from the fabric to the padding. However, I prefer more upright posture with Gesture and armrests. Also I like it for crossing legs more as cushion is larger and roomier.
How much of a difference would you say there is with the upright position between the Leap and Gesture?
@@dirtysprite_ you can still have good posture with Leap but it’s slightly leaned back instead of a more 90 degree angle. It’s not a huge diff between them though but preferred Gesture. They both have some incline. If you want the best tho, Aeron with forward tilt is awesome for this although mesh wasn’t as comfy for me
Great content! I was thinking of trying out both chairs. I wonder if more companies are using a universal design as they know most people won't touch adjustments. Don't know how well it works for "enthusiasts" but for everyone else - might be a win.
Thanks Andrew!
I think higher tech chair is more suitable to you point.
How tall are you? Thanks!
Watching these chairs reviews because my dx races chair is killing my back and neck.
time to upgrade
levus.co
same :( did u get one yet?
Rain still using the same chair, but I changed my posture while sitting which helped a bit, gonna get a new chair eventually.
Abdulsalam Al-Abdulsalam niicceeee
@@abdulsalam32x Good work! if you are experiencing upper back and neck problems (as I am) check your arm posture and make sure your head isn't leaning forward. I am an artist and keeping my arms over extended for years really bust my neck.
The place where you filmed the video SOOO close to my house lol and I never knew it is there...
I feel your pain, I ordered a Global office chair and then had to return it (it was utterly defective :-| ) to a store about 30 min away from my house. And then the next day, I realized that 5 min away from the Global dealer was a Herman Miller dealer... so, it happens.
When you do chair reviews, you should test the wheels and how well they roll.
Thank you for testing out these two chairs. So how did you feel after a few hours of being in them? Also, when testing did you have a chance to sit for a while in either and work on your laptop ?
Honestly it's really hard for me to gauge how the chairs would be in a real world scenario even after testing them for a couple hours. I sat with them at a desk for a bit here and there trying to mimic the working experience. And they are definitely comfortable but in real world testing you're sitting on these for an entire days, week after week, where you start slouching, developing new pressure points or showing bad habits from working on the computer that I can't correlated with a brief test at a showroom.
Shame they couldn't borrow you each for two weeks to give a review..They are both beautiful chairs.
i'm from toronto too . il probably go check them out . can you do more chair reviews ? probably like best under 200 / 500 /1000 kinda video :D
Did you have any opinion on the various upholstery options? At least online, it looks like the Leap offers both "Buzz2" and "Cogent: Connect" fabric options, while the Gesture only offers Cogent: Connect (I'm not considering leather because I get too hot).
No sorry. I didn't spend enough time with the different fabrics to have a strong opinion.
Hi David, is there a showroom in Toronto? Am wondering if there is also a Herman Miller showroom in Toronto as well?
Hi David thanks for the amazing reviews! I m located north of Toronto in Canada. I want to try and purchase my first Leap v2/Gesture chair but I dont know where to buy them in Canada. Do you know any online store or physical stores that sells these chairs, new or used?
We supply both Steelcase Leap V2 and Steelcase Gesture chairs, visit our website www.poi.ca/products/category/seating/ to inquire, we have a showroom in Barrie if you are interested!
I tried both of them at healthyback store. I prefer gesture over leap. All three leap chairs at the store made squicking noise with friction I was able to feel when I lean back. In the end I picked x chair but gesture would been my pick if it wasnt for x chair.
I went in thinking I'd love the Leap but the Gesture did it for me, so I got that! I have an Embody for work and I think the Gesture is possibly even more comfortable!
@@adlawd3297 If X chair didn't listen to my custom order, I would've picked Gesture. Try X chair next time. The only downside with X chair was X2 mesh seat had metal frame around the edge of the seat that can cause pain at the side of my leg. They had 1 inch wider version but it also make armrests that much further apart which was too wide. And then I picked X3 memory foam seat to protect myself from the metal framework but the backrest wasn't as supportive as X2 mesh backrest. I requested X2 mesh backrest + X3 memory foam seat and they approved it. I think X2 dynamic back support was even better than Gesture. Try it someday.
Joon Kim ah I didn’t like the Aeron for the same reason, the mesh with edge wasn’t comfy as I sometimes put my leg under me and sit on it
Do the arms of the Leap move all over the place when your elbows are resting on them, or do they lock in place?
Good choice, I love my leap!! I've been using it for 2 years and it's worth splurging this kind of money on such a comfortable work chair. Definitely get a head rest.
For people who complain about price, consider that these chairs cost about $1800-$2400 in Japan where I live. So you’re getting. Bargain.
Same in Korea too...
that doesn't mean it's a bargain it means yall are overpaying
The pan sliding with the recline makes a huge diff IMO.
I've own a Gesture for a year and a half now and its amazing. Really confortable, the arms are great, and the built quality is awesome.
Nice! Another person with a Gesture. I'm jealous! lol. :) Glad you're enjoying it.
What shoes are you wearing in this video? They look comfortable and fairly minimalist.
They aren't very comfortable. lol (needed extra insoles) But they were cheap (from H&M)
You can spread your legs wide on the gesture because the arms don't get in the way for added leg movement.
Sitting in a Gesture with headrest right now - the faux leather...and it's HOT! I'm seriously contemplating returning it. Super bummed, because I agree is the nicest looking of the two, and I liked the adjustable headrest (vs. the Leap's). However, the Leap DID feel more comfortable to me in the show room (despite looking and feeling cheaper)...and I really liked that the Leap's seat pan moved forward when I reclined (I intend to work at a slight recline). Bummed as I waited a month to get my Gesture, but I'm not sure it's the chair for me. Just need to decide if the tradeoff in cleanability (crumbs, dog hair, etc.) on the fabric upholstery is worth the cooler temp vs. the leather. Wish they made a leather-seat/mesh back option.
Thats because Gesture seat is more firm
@Le Justicier du Net headrest is good. Adjustable and supportive.
Steelcase uses 100% full hide leather, not faux leather, unless you got a refurb with faux leather.
Man these vedios save lower back pain ppl
Hi David, was wondering about the padded, upholstered looking armrests on the leather Gesture in the video. They look much softer than the typical armrests. I don't seem to see that upgrade option on the Gesture.
I think it was included if you opt for the leather option and was only plastic if you got fabric but double check on that.
What I don't like about the leap and gesture is the recline. I own the leap v2 and it's annoying that it doesn't move with your back when coming up from recline. It kind of lags and is slow. I think the aeron's recline is better imo.
The lag on the v2 is a known defect. You have to return it.
Now 2019, what do you recommend? Are there many new products?
Do they make standing desk versions of these? Really like the idea of a nice ergo chair, but I also would like a standing desk, partially for storage clearance underneath, and because I'd like a tall workbench for other projects like building PC's, RC vehicles, working on guns, etc. Reason for this multi-usability necessity is because I live in a studio apartment. 11 feet by 19 feet is all I get to myself, not including the shared bathroom, separate shared shower, and shared kitchen with the other two tenants.
It's an insane thing to buy a chair for over a grand. But when your back is so jacked from sitting that the thought of sitting scares you, it's well worth it.
Hi David, great review, I went to test out both those chairs a couple of years ago at the same POI location you went to but didn't pull the trigger because of the price at the time for me. I personally like the looks on the Gesture as well but comfort wise, the Leap V2 is the one to go for me. Now, I'm back on the market and I've discovered that Steelcase has another chair which has a similar feature to the Leap V2, and it's called Amia. Would you be able to do a review on the Amia and maybe compare them to the Leap V2 and Gesture? Thank you!
They make it without lumbar support? Didnt know that.
Another great review David 👍🏼
Thanks!
I was able to snag a leap V2 for 60dlls. This guy had gotten them from an office that was remodeling. He didn't know what he had, so of course I snagged one. Verified with the model number on the bottom of the seat and it was legit.
Does the leather stitching on the back panel scratch against you at all?
Do you know if there is a standard naming convention for the function in the Leap described as the seat pan moving forward as you lean back? Are you aware of any other chairs that have this function?
I find the headrest of Gesture can push head forward when upright even at the lowest setting. How about Leap? I know the headrest is not as adjustable but is it not so forward when upright?
Hi David, did you plan on trying the new Cosm by Herman Miller? I'd like to know what you think about those chairs.
I have a leap v2 and a steelcase amia and I find the amia to be my favorite daily driver chair. I however have been eyeballing a gesture because they look so nice.
What are those armrests on Gesture? I never saw them as an option and they look much more comfortable than the original ones! Thanks!
You can order with upgraded leather covered arm-rests. See here, page 41:
www.steelcase.com/content/uploads/2019/08/seating.pdf
@@mattoeh oh thanks!
Nice, there is a POI business interior near me, I am going to be booking an appointment. I think you might live nearby lol, wish I could enlist you to help set up my gaming room. I seriously need a more ergonomic setup, been watching your videos and its inspired me to buy a more ergonomic chair, and one day a desk that can switch between sitting and standing.
Thanks for the video.
you know you're definitely hitting the big leagues when you're no longer reviewing ikea chairs/furniture :P the head rest seemed like it needed some WD40 since it looked like you needed to exert some strength to adjust it. great video once again!
lol. just window shopping. Can't afford one of these yet. You don't want the head rest too loose or it will move on it's own. That we be even more annoying I'd imagine. Thanks!
Hi david! I’m looking for a new chair. I’m currently use a marksus... any idea for an office chair for neck pain?
How tall are you?
Could you do more reviews on these chairs?
i bought a gesture and it makes a clicking noise when i lean all the way to the back, is that normal?
Wow. Great review. Thank you.
I'd like to see you test a La-Z-boy leather chair.
I bought gesture chair..1 week now , it’s comfortable but when i lean back for a long time my tailbone hurts lil bet..
What leather color was the gesture? Ebony black?
could you review okamura contessa chair?
I want the gesture but the price is way too high for me. It’s much easier to find Leap V2’s and Aeron’s for cheap prices since they’re the most common in offices and they get liquidated quite often.
If possible could you check out some vertagear chairs?
Heard about them. Never tried them but it'd be interesting to try.
Awesome review! We want for sure more! Also David check the Think chair from Steelcase. It's a great chair and also cheaper!
Thanks. Yeah the Think chairs look really nice as well. The Steelcase Amia is another lower cost option I was looking at too. Too many chairs to test. lol
Would you recommend the Leap v2 with or without the headrest?
If you like to recline every so often then definitely pay the extra for the headrest. The recline works very well on the Leap so you may find that position quite satisfying and it only is comfortable with your head properly supported. Else you would have to stiffen your neck muscles and thats hardly a good thing.
Could you review an Allsteel Acuity, there are not many reviews of that chair
Nice review. I'm sitting on a Gesture right now that has an adjustable lumbar support in terms of position (not tension). Not sure if that was also an option at the time of your review but it is now.
What all Leap reviews do not mention or show... does the chair lock in tilt positions? Like seriously... otherwise great review
He actually stated in the video that the chairs do not lock in tilt positions.
i always sit with my left leg up on the chair. no chair material has lasted more than a year from that. The fabric always rips where my foot rests (i dont wear shoes when sitting like this).
Good Guide line
What’s better? Leap or ergohuman v2, if anyone has any experience with them.
I love my leap but the thing that bothers me is that my ass keeps sliding down. I tried the Herman miller embody and the automatic backward tilt seems to prevent it. I see they made the gesture behave similar to the embody. But probably the ultimate way would be to make the seat tilt and shift forward at the same time. The headrest on the leap is a hack and it doesn't work that well for me. It's a bit to far back and when I recline it tends to click down because I'm taller than average. Overall I like the feel of the embody best but it does not have a head rest. Sometimes I like resting on the chair and listening to music and for that a headrest is essential.
that's weird. I had an Embody that I returned recently. Went to a Steelcase dealer to try the Leap and the Gesture. Gesture feels the best but seems a bit narrower so I went with the Leap + headrest. The steelcase chairs instantly felt better than the Embody. The Embody's backrest was too hard I just couldn't sit still in it. The Leap was super comfy and relaxing to sit in... Will see how it holds out. My only worry is that there's an opening lip at the back of the seat where my butt isn't fully supported at the bottom of the backrest.
Yesterday I tried the Gesture... I like it but it didn't have a headrest. I have to wait to try again with the headrest. In some ways it's better than the leap. The main problem of the leap is still not fixed on the Gesture. There is no back tilt of the seat when leaning back so there is potential for my bottom to slip forward like on the leap. A big plus are the improved controls which are much faster to adjust.
The leap v2 does not seem to have seat pan tilt. Only tilts when you change the back recline settings which is kind of annoying. When you are sitting upright & the seat pan is facing down making it pretty uncomfortable tbh.
It should not tilt. The tilt only slows down blood circulation in your legs.
You tilt your back in a different position, your legs stay on the floor, it doesn't make any sense to tilt the seating pan.
That is the biggest minus for the Gesture chair, but it is just a slight tilt, it does not follow backrest tilt.
Only cheapest chairs tilt seating pan along with the backrest.
Leap v2 with headrest or gesture?
could you review a capisco chair thanks for the vids
Interesting suggestion. I'll check them out.
have you seen the teknion contessa? quite a bit more expensive than these but you should check it out
I've just bought the leap V2 second hand that's been refurbished, and i don't know if it's just me, but the entire chair just seems a bit loose and flimsy which causes a lot of rattling sounds. I'm wondering if anyone else thinks this?
probably because you bought used
New ones are not like this. You get what you pay for. In this case, it appears your chair's former life was used as an office race chair competing and crashing into office furniture while trying to get the best lap times.
looks like an amazing chair, but the price is almost as much as my rent.
Yeah it's a bit of an investment. Definitely taking my time to make the right decision on something like this.
David Zhang a bit....
Sahin G Can you really put a price on your health? if you work on the PC and spend enough time on it playing games or browsing the web, it's a worthwhile investment. Plus you can find some decent deals on refurbished models on Kijiji
You can find a Leap V2 used for ~$200 - 250 which is still cheaper than the crappy racing style gaming chairs.
Just live on the street
I know, you may don't like gaming chair. But I want see you test it, and listen your opinion.
Gaming chairs= bad back.
Hardly any of them have lower back lumbar support, They are all straight and just throw in a cushion to try and hide the poor design.
Owned 2 and never again. Would have been cheaper just to get 1 good chair.
Now my back is stuffed, Save your money for a decent ergonomic chair.
I can't play games for more than an hour with gaming chairs.
Shane Mc Grath which chair do you reccomend. Also which chair do you use?
Gaming chairs can work if the lumbar pillow works with your body. Also secretlab, noblechairs, and maxnomic all have chairs with built in lumbar adjustments now. I think they're all the same oem but regardless that is a common point of feedback and it seems to be catching on in the industry.
good editing
I want one...badly
me too
David Zhang touché
Could you review Spina chair from Japan, please?
Steelcase Leap v.1 vs Spina.... pls
I would give up an arm or a leg for that Leap Q_Q
That would really mess with the ergonomics
I just can't find both of them, like if they are old products
How tall are you
Is the headrest supposed to go behind your neck?
he's 5'7" or 170cm
Just looks like cheap plastic everywhere with clever design features, is it really worth $1000.
Yea it is, but you could always buy it used or refurbished if you can't afford the $1000 brand new version.
I think the cost is mainly due to the amount of customization available so that the chair fits your body perfectly while you're working. It's about promoting good posture and back support if you're working at a desk job for 40 hours a week or more.
Going from a nightingale cxo to stealcase... I can confirm there is no build quality better than the nightingale. Its like a steel brick with comfort level to match
In 20 years of working in large company offices, I have to say that I have never seen anyone sit with their legs crossed on an office chair. I am not sure what doing so is supposed to test.
They do that all the time in my country.
Woman do it all the time
@@burningknuckle26 What is one supposed to do in that position? you can't possibly type well in that position? you can't reach too far in any direction. I guess if you worked in a call center?
Honestly, with all of the ergonomic instruction we get in corporate America, I'm sure it probably breaks some company rule.
@@kcgunesq they work in that position. Often times one likes to switch seating positions. You can't stay in 1 for to long or else you will get a bit uncomfortable.
In my country the Gesture fully specced out is ~1050 Bucks and the Leap is 1660 -.- Baseprice of the Leap is already 300+ Bucks more than gesture when fully loaded. Why is that? I dont get chair pricing at all.
You say you would like a lumbar support or you need one? sound like just pickiy things to say.
thanks
cool shoes
Hmm. They look quite plastic, and along with resistance, looks like you could break them.
For a similar price tag I would prefer to buy an Okamura Contessa chair (with mesh) - by far the best chair I have ever owned.
Where did you find them in the US?
And something else - bear in mind that Okamura Contessa II (their top model) is a pretty expensive chair. I have bought mine for more than 1200 British pounds years ago.