Buying things for tall people can be pretty complicated. Even more so when it’s furniture such as office chairs. This is because furniture is generally designed with standard or average height in mind, meaning, even the most well-designed chair may not necessarily be comfortable for tall people.
Therefore, it is important to buy office chairs that are specifically designed for tall people. To ensure that you’re able to find a top office chair for tall people without compromising on budget or quality, consider the below points.
1. Dimensions
Firstly, it is important to consider the dimensions of the chair. If you’re a tall person, then measurements will play a huge role in helping you find an office chair that will be comfortable for you.
Basically, as a rule of thumb — the taller and bigger-framed you are, the more likely it is that you will have some sort of trouble with traditional task chairs not properly accommodating your body type.
Specifically, here is what you should know about sizing:
Seat Height – The seat height of a task chair can typically be anywhere from 16″ – 22″. If you’re over 6 ft tall, your legs will most likely be dangling and swinging around if you try to sit down in a traditional task chair.
Seat Depth – The seat depth is often overlooked, but it is a crucial aspect to consider. If you’re 6 ft tall or taller, the standard seat depth may actually be too small for you since most task office chairs can only accommodate users with inseams that are up to 34″ long. If your legs are much longer than this (inseam length), then it’s probably not the best idea for you to purchase a traditional task chair.
Seat Width – The seat width is typically anywhere from 16″ – 18″. There is usually not much difference between standard office chairs and ergonomic office chairs. However, the difference between these two types of chairs is the depth of the seat pan (where your buttocks sit). Since task/office chairs are typically more shallow than ergonomic chairs, it is again likely that your legs will be dangling if you were to sit in one of these.
2. Reinforced Construction/Durability
The next thing to consider is the materials used in the reinforced construction of the chair. Office chairs are generally not built to accommodate people who are overweight or large. Additionally, taller individuals need an office chair that can support them well.
However, these types of chairs are only able to hold up to 250 lbs on average. If you’re a tall person or have some extra weight, then this just won’t cut it for you — especially if you plan on spending 4+ hours per day sitting down in one of these things.
So, it is important to pick a chair made from high-quality materials and is designed to withstand heavy loads for extended periods.
3. Lumbar Support
The lumbar support of an office chair can vary from model to model (and even by seat depth). However, there are only a few exceptions where this isn’t true.
Typically speaking, though, most office chairs come equipped with built-in lumbar supports but don’t actually do much in terms of properly supporting your lower back region throughout the day.
Conversely, if you’re purchasing an ergonomic office chair, the lumbar support should provide some decent lower back support that helps distribute your weight while sitting down more evenly.
4. Adjustable Backrest
Last but not least, adjustable back support is another feature worth mentioning since it’s actually quite important for taller individuals who also want a proper recline when sitting in their office chairs. It is because most office chairs do not offer adjustable reclining backs for optimal comfort and pain relief.
These are the most important things to keep in mind as you shop for a top office chair for tall people.
