Today, I’m giving you my 3-month review of the Steelcase Leap V2. I know 3 months isn’t that long, but most people have a good idea after 3 months of solid use.
If you haven’t already heard of Steelcase, they’re one of the most popular office chair brands out there. You’ll often spot them in high-end offices or luxury suites, and they frequently go head-to-head with the other heavyweight in the industry: Herman Miller.
When I do ergonomic assessments, Steelcase is almost always my top recommendation. They’re known for being versatile, suiting a wide range of body types. For context, I’m 5’11”, and this chair fits me perfectly. But after using it for three months, I’ve discovered some things I love—and a few things I don’t love as much.
What I Love About the Steelcase Leap
Let’s start with the pros. I’m a huge fan of this chair because of its incredible ergonomic functionality. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to adjustability:
- Customizable seat height
- Seat pan adjustments
- Armrests that pivot, retract, and lower
On top of that, it’s got an adjustable lumbar support and the ability to change the recline tension. These features make it one of the most user-friendly chairs I’ve ever tried.
Now, aesthetics might not be everyone’s priority, but I have to say, this is one of the best-looking chairs on the market. In my opinion, only the Steelcase Gesture beats it in terms of design. However, I went with the Leap because it’s more comfortable for long hours at my desk.
The Downsides of the Steelcase Leap
Even though this chair excels in many areas, there are a few things that bug me.
First, let’s talk about the seat cushion. I don’t know why, but the Leap’s seat just isn’t as soft as I had hoped. It feels a little flat, and while it doesn’t bother me too much, I could see this being a bigger issue for someone who weighs more than I do. In fact, I’ve seen discussions online (shoutout to Reddit) about this exact issue. Some users even wonder if the Steelcase Amia seat cushion can be swapped with the Leap’s, though the Amia is better suited for conference rooms than all-day desk use.
Speaking of the Amia, while its seat might be more comfortable, the Leap’s seatback and armrests are far superior in my opinion.
The second downside is the reclining function. Sure, you can adjust the recline tension, but it feels a bit cheap. Whether you recline quickly or slowly, the motion isn’t as fluid as I’d like. And if you tighten the recline, it wobbles a little, which is mildly annoying. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I do wish it reclined as smoothly as my old IKEA Markus chair.
Finally, there’s the seat pan positioning. This one’s not exactly an “issue,” but it’s worth mentioning. When I push the seat forward to leave a bit of space between the back of my leg and the chair, it messes with the lumbar support. So, instead of keeping the seat forward, I pull it back to prioritize lumbar support, even though I lose a bit of leg support in the process.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I’m nitpicking here. Overall, the Steelcase Leap is an excellent chair, and it’s easily the best I’ve ever owned when it comes to ergonomics.
Keep in mind that I bought this chair refurbished, so the seat cushion may have some wear and tear. But I’ve heard similar complaints from other users, so a revamp in that area could go a long way. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, ergonomic chair that can keep you comfortable through long workdays, the Steelcase Leap is definitely worth considering.
David is the lead editor of OT Focus. He has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist since 2013. He specializes in acute care, hand therapy, and ergonomics.
