Gaming/office chairs

[eny]

How are the SecretLab chairs performing? I need a decent supporting chair as I suffer badly sitting now and need something to accommodate me as best as possible. I have an Evo in basket with the reclining leg rest and wondered if they last as long as they cost. Paying for good once is indeed a consideration I would be happy with if they are aging well.

[Raid]

Mine's as solid as the day I bought it (I think it's 4 years old), but honestly I'm not sure going for this style of chair is the right choice. The back support and firmness of the seat are fine (I don't have any back issues), but for me it sometimes feels a bit uncomfortable around my neck and shoulders because the only thing I can adjust in that area is the placement of the neck cushion, and the arm rests can't go down far enough for me.

If I were in the market for one now, I'd be looking at actual ergonomics-focussed chairs rather than one of these racing-car-style gaming chairs.

[eny]

Ah, fair enough, I will look at more ergonomic chairs and see what they have to offer. With the recline, tilt, lumbar and leg extension it seems to fit just what I am looking for. The chair I have now isn't terrible, but it is old and I can't sit for extended periods in it, but the options the SL offers look to counter my issues well.

[Raid]

I think I'd get a second opinion, probably from someone who has more back issues than I do (I think we have at least one other forum regular who has one of these chairs and back issues, I forget who it is though). The features you mention all work extremely well, the tilt and recline mechanisms are absolutely solid as a rock - it's a well built chair, I'm just not convinced that it's the correct choice for someone with definite health issues that are going to rely on correct setup, but I'm speaking as someone that doesn't have any such issues. If I were choosing one now, I'd go for something with a properly adjustable headrest and without the wings on the sides where my shoulders are.

[Wrathbone]

I’ve had the SL Titan for nearly 5 years and generally it’s been great. If my various back problems are playing up, it’s often the only place I can get comfortable for an extended period outside of laying flat in bed. That said, I had a neck issue last year where it wasn’t supportive in the right ways and I ended up using a pillow for extra support, so I agree that there are better ergonomic chairs out there.

For everyday use, though, I have zero regrets. The build quality is superb - it may as well be fresh out of the box at this point.

[Snowy]

I think we have at least one other forum regular who has one of these chairs and back issues, I forget who it is though

Well I am one such.

I am on my second Secret Labs chair, the Batman themed Titan Evo. I have owned it now for a couple of years and it barely looks any different to the day I bought it. As mentioned earlier in the thread I bought it because I needed a properly supportive chair. Chris is right, the Secret Labs chairs are not medically designed and there are chairs you can buy that are, but equally I have found that they provide the right levels of support to make long sessions sat in one comfortable. I often work from home and will spend almost the entire day sat in mine, without any ill-effects.

I do still use the lumbar support cushion from my first SL chair. I know that the Titan has adjustable support inbuilt but I find the memory-foam cushion perfect for my needs so haven't changed. You can still buy the cushion from SL but it is quite expensive at almost seventy quid. Other options available at the likes of Amazon that are more cost-effective. I will DM you a picture of my setup on Discord Mark.

[Alan]

The tilt on mine no longer locks in which is incredibly annoying. I’ve also never found it that comfy and it did nothing for my dodgy back so I’ve stuck it in my mum’s garage as a “I’ll fix that one day (doubtful)”. I wouldn’t get another personally that’s just me.

[Snowy]

I’ve also never found it that comfy

Worth noting is that the cold-pressed foam that the seats are made from is not immediately comfortable, and when I say not immediately I do mean 'for about the first couple of years'. It takes them a LONG time to mould themselves to you which can lead to your feeling like your arse is sat on a hard bench. Not a reason not to buy I wouldn't say, but something to be aware of. Softer seats are available, but will be flat and dead from a cushioning POV in a lot less time.

[eny]

I did notice that they have changed the way they make the memory foam now, after responding to feedback about that issue.

[Alan]

I think I had it 3 years and it never felt good, seat or the back. It wasn’t awful but man I miss my old office chair I had before it.