Saddle chairs are often designed for standing desks. They allow you to work in a position where you can rest while partially standing. Although you're not entirely on your feet, you're not seated either. This reduces the consequences of being in one position for a prolonged time.
Below, we've shortlisted the best options in Australia if you're considering a saddle chair for your sit-stand desk. Our list is carefully curated to guarantee that each model fits unique needs and use cases.
Our Top Picks
Ready to try out the new saddle seat design? Here are our top three picks on the Australian market:
HAG Capisco Chair
Best overall saddle chair with a 120 kg weight capacity, eco-friendly build, aluminium feet, and ergonomic features for comfortable sitting.
Bambach Saddle Seat
Best versatile saddle seat with a 160 kg weight capacity, adjustable seat height, and an impressive range and customisation options.
Master Massage Split Saddle Stool
Best saddle stool for support with a 300 kg weight capacity and a split panel design that eases pelvic pressure and protects your spine.
Top 5 Saddle Chairs for Australians
To shortlist the best ergonomic saddle chairs from the many options available in Australia, we evaluated each chair by their build quality, ease of use, and comfort. Our goal is to help make your search easy.
1. HAG Capisco Chair
Best Overall Saddle Chair
Height range: 40 to 47 cm
Weight capacity: 120 kg
Product weight: 11 kg
The HAG Capisco Chair is ideal for environmentalists. It is made from recycled car bumpers and household plastic. Its unique braking casters ensure it does not damage hardwood floors or low-pile carpet flooring. The chair has an aluminium foot in black, white, and silver.
The ergonomic chair has a partially cushioned back and a fully cushioned seat. It is adjustable between low and high working positions, even up to standing height. The seat height, seat depth, and backrest height are all adjustable, as is the swing resistance, which can be locked afterwards.
HAG's Capisco Chair includes a standard gas lift with 200-mm spacing. Overall, the saddle chair promotes appropriate posture and a natural bend in the lower back, reducing strain and keeping you healthy.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sustainable build materials
- Includes a multipurpose backrest
- Numerous colour options
Cons
- No armrests or headrest
2. Bambach Saddle Seat
Best Versatile Saddle Seat
Height range: 54 to 73 cm
Weight capacity: 160 kg
Warranty: 5 years
The Australian Physiotherapy Association recommends the Bambach Saddle Seat. It promotes optimal seated posture for your spine and creates less stress for your muscles, joints, and ligaments. You also get an adjustable seat height controlled by a pneumatic lift. The saddle-seat design is the product of deep research and modern innovation.
We choose the Bambach Saddle Seat as our versatile pick for its impressive range and customisation options on purchase. You can select the material type, seat size and lift height, castor type, and colour of your saddle seat. You'll find a comprehensive guide to this effect on the product page. You also get to decide between a backrest and no backrest. We recommend no backrest if you intend to use the saddle seat for shorter periods.
Bambach's Saddle Seat has a 5-year warranty and a 30-day return policy. If any component is damaged on arrival, your seat will be replaced. If you choose to return it, you will receive a full refund.
Pros
- Endorsed by APA
- Adjustable features
- Suitable for different needs
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
3. Master Massage Split Saddle Stool
Best Saddle Stool for Support
Dimensions: 55.88 x 25.4 x 53.34 cm
Product weight: 44.31 kg
Weight capacity: 300 kg
The Master Massage Saddle Stool's focal point is its unusual split panel design with a bigger centre gap. This, combined with the gentler contouring in the front, reduces pressure on the pelvic floor and keeps the spine in its natural shape and curve. The saddle chair has a 2-inch padded PU leather seat, and its height is adjustable between 53 and 71 cm.
Master Massage's saddle chair features a strong, heavy design that is ideal for heavy users. The robust metal cylinder and long-lasting aluminium foundation have a maximum weight capacity of 300 kg, the highest on our list. Compared to our shortlisted products, this is followed by the Bambach Saddle Seat, which has a weight capacity of 160 kg.
For drawbacks, the thinner seat padding makes it slightly uncomfortable for prolonged use. As it is ideal for all other saddle seats, we recommend supplementing it with an ergonomic office-style chair.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- 300 kg weight capacity
- Unique split panel design
- Durable construction
Cons
- Thinner seat padding
4. KKTONER Rolling Saddle Stool
Best Budget Saddle Stool
Height range: 49.5 - 65.5 cm
Dimensions: 48 x 48 x 45 cm
Weight capacity: 136 kg
The KKTONER Rolling Saddle Stool, which costs below AUD 100, comes in various colours to complement your home office. The stool has a black, blue, pink, white, and yellow finish. Its height is adjustable between 49.5 and 65.5 cm, and its maximum weight capacity is 136 kg.
Made of faux leather cushion material, KKTONER's saddle stool is comfortable to use. Its seat cushion is sturdy enough to work prolonged hours. It's also waterproof and oil-resistant, so you do not have to worry about spillage.
Like most stools, the KKTONER saddle stool can rotate 360 degrees and has five wheels for easy movement.
Pros
- Affordable
- 360-degree rotation
- 136 kg weight capacity
- Waterproof and oil-resistant
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Thin seat cushion
5. Dragonn by Vivo Kneeling Chair
Best Kneeling Chair
Seat area: 40 x 33 cm
Knee rest: 45 x 23 cm
Weight capacity: 113 kg
The Dragonn kneeling chair doesn't have a saddle seat. Nevertheless, it has a functional design that maintains a good standing posture while reducing strain from continuous sitting.
The kneeling chair helps you distribute your weight evenly across your legs and buttocks while keeping your spine aligned and your back upright. It supports a user weight capacity of up to 113 kg.
The chair's height is adjustable between 53.34 and 78.74 cm. Its mesh cushion is three inches thick and provides good support. Like traditional office chairs, it has four casters (wheels) for easy movement.
Pros
- Easy movement
- Ergonomic and functional design
- 113.4 kg weight capacity
- Height-adjustable
Cons
- Muscle adjustment required
- Initial learning curve
Benefits of Saddle Chairs
Ergonomic saddle chairs improve circulation. A study comparing the sitting pressure of several saddle chair styles shows that the divided seat design causes the least pressure over the pectineal line. Blood flow is unrestricted, preserving the health of the internal pelvis' nerve endings and metabolism.
Another advantage is that saddle chairs are designed to allow for easy movement throughout the day, whether changing positions or stretching. You must move to stay healthy and energised while working, so we recommend using saddle chairs with ergonomic office chairs.
Saddle chairs also ensure natural, easy balance and close access to the work surface. An open chest and abdomen promote digestion and breathing, while the upright posture retains natural spinal curves.
When to Use Saddle Chairs
The saddle chair can be a preventative or rehabilitative ergonomic solution for users who suffer from back, neck, or upper-limb pain and/or want to improve their posture, spinal alignment, and circulation. By stabilising the shoulder girdle in the seated position, saddle chairs outperform standard ergonomic chairs in assisting the arms and hands to maintain power.
When seated, your spine straightens, and your weight is distributed evenly between your feet and knees. Your pelvis shifts forward, allowing you to rely exclusively on the saddle chair for support. Your lower back naturally curves into an S shape, known medically as lordosis.
Darren Sherwood
Summary
Saddle chairs are not for everybody, as they take some getting used to, especially when transitioning from traditional ergonomic chairs. The goal of a saddle chair is still to promote the best sitting posture for the current task.
We recommend using them with an ergonomic office chair, alternating between them (or as soon as any discomfort is felt). Always ensure that the seating angles are comfortable during use.
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