I far prefer the look of the vintage chairs, and have a really nice one, but I have the same trouble with it—the arms are too high and get in the way, especially when I'm trying to use a keyboard. So I use a modern one (not the Aeron, just a cheap Staples one).

We have an Aeron and I actually spent of lot of time in it when I was largely pregnant... mostly because we didn't have a sofa for a month. Ha. As for appearance, I tried to hide that thing constantly until we got a proper studio space. So I guess I prefer the vintage look with modern comfort. Any of those on the market?

Recently had a back problem and there were only a few chairs I could sit in. The Aeron at work was one of them.

Since then, I've been very picky about the depth of seat and the slope of back of any chair that I sit, or try to sit, in.

I inherited a very solid but very ugly desk chair from my apartment's previous tenants - it's not the most comfortable chair, but it works with my desk, and I was able to re-cover it with fabric that was a bit more fun.

I have scoliosis, and when I sat in this Ikea chair I knew I wanted to buy it -- but I couldn't get over how ugly it was, even though it felt amazing.

I compromised with a -- less expensive! -- Snille chair in a bright white that gives a pop of color next to my wooden desk, and I can accessorize it with a pillow when I'm not using it.

@Joan A.

I've been eying an Aeron chair for the longest, but I really don't have that kind of money. How are you finding that Staples knockoff?

I only sit in my desk chair at home a short amount of time (unless I'm streaming a TV show I missed or something...) It's contemporary looking, from Pier One (called the Dorothy, if I remember right.) It's comfortable enough for my uses, looks fine (very plain black leather, armless streamlined form). I can use it as extra seating at my dining table without clashing horribly with the moss green Parson's chairs.

I have a vintage "lawyer's chair" (or at least somebody else called it that) as a side chair elsewhere. Overall, though, vintage desk chairs are miserably uncomfortable.

I am lucky enough to have that Aeron chair coming to my desk at work, paid for by said work. I can't wait.

In my home studio though, I have an old industrial metal drafting chair. I'm 28 and currently not pregnant, so we'll see how long that un-cushioned chair works out. I may just add a cushion to it.

I don't get it about the Aeron chairs. I sit on one every day and have for years. I'm in constant pain... Maybe I am too petite/short for the chair.

Ok folks, all the Aeron talk is starting to surprise this long-time Steelcase nerd. (My mom has worked with Steelcase for years.) She just got me a Leap chair (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/task/leap/pages/overview.aspx) after working from a kitchen chair for months when I work from home and killing my back. Sure it's not as attractive as my beat up U-Chicago kitchen chair, but it's solid and adjustable and very, very comfortable. I put a pretty pillow on it, cover the back with a sheepskin or a blanket I like, and it blends right in with everything else in our living room. If you're not at your desk for more than a few hours a day, also check out the Coby (http://www.steelcase.com/en/products/category/seating/multi-use-guest/cobi/pages/gallery.aspx). Both of these are often possible to find for A LOT less than Aeron chairs, they come in TONS of colored fabrics and different plastic/metal color combinations, and overall I think they're a lot better looking. If you want more info about Steelcase chairs, feel free to ask!

Yoboseyo, I didn't mean to claim that my Staples chair was an Aeron knockoff; it's just a contemporary office chair from Staples. It's comfortable and blah-looking.

We have the Aeron chairs at my office. They all pretty much broke shortly after we got them. Considering the cost, this is appalling. Plus, as Arielle mentioned above, as a petite woman I find them mostly uncomfortable - the seat is too deep and the curvature of the back does not conform to my proportions at all.

I am not an Aeron fan; just too ugly for me. I have a hand-me-down chair from my office that I re-covered (badly) and put a sheepskin over to hide as much surface as possible. It is OK at best. I'd love to have a beautiful and comfortable vintage chair, but haven't come across anything yet that will do the job. Must be very supportive and good for my back. Maybe one day I'll find it.

I use a Goodform rolling office chair, built in the mid-1950s. So I'd say it's vintage. It is quite comfortable and VERY sturdy. The arms just barely get in beneath the table which is nice. Sure, it's not as cozy as an Aeron, but I paid $50 and think it's a bit better looking.

There is a little-known stationary Aeron chair that is VASTLY more attractive. It is smaller and more subtle and doesn't have any of the space-age bulk. http://www.amazon.com/Aeron-Side-Chair-Herman-Miller/dp/B000EGI0Y8

I bought a ridiculous antique, raw silk upholstered side chair that looks like it belongs in a lady's boudoir, because I figured if I couldn't afford that Aeron, I at least wanted something cushy and glamorous, since my desk is in my bedroom.

I love antiques - the older, wood-ier, patinated the better. But if I'm spending 7-8 hours a day sitting in it? Give me the best that modern technology can come up with.

I've enjoyed my Aeron for over 10 years. Does it match our century-old, oak mission style partner's desk? Nope. But I have no plans to give up either of 'em.

My husband uses this chair in his office. The back is too high for his shorty wife but it is ridiculously comfortable when you sit in a chair for an extended amount of time. http://www.temafurniture.com/l2/Office-Furniture/12/Chairs/137/-Executive--Bungie-Chair/2010256SOEX/

His office is upstairs so there isn't a worry about aesthetics vs. comfort. For the little desk in the den, I bought a vintage-look chair at Cost Plus. It is comfortable enough for the short amount of time I sit in it and it looks pretty. :)

i sit in an aeron every single day, and it's not pretty but it is comfy. my back or my butt is never really sore, so it must be doing it;s job. I have been sitting in this one for almost 5 years and it still works fine. Don't know about the poster above that said all of theirs broke.

At the same time i think the aeron is perfect for people like me. I am tall but not too tall, i am not fat. it fits great.

i prefer the looks of the sayl chair and we would probably have them here except they weren't out when the company started so we just keep on adding on aerons. they are a bit less money, come in some great colors and have a bit of style. reminds me of the Milwaukee museum of art.

Next week Im picking up the 3 chairs in this picture. Going to use the black leather one as a work chair. hope its comfortable since I work from home.

http://c0.dmlimg.com/1fc1c1c2db5852e08ffc380475e2633648148052bb6015c6bde218643bb397de.jpg

I am with Crosberg: Steelcase chairs fit the bill. They're stylish but admittedly not as cute as a vintage chair; they're übercomfortable and adjustable without all the wands, knobs, and bars of the Aeron; they're not cheap, but they're not as much as most of the chairs DWR carries, for instance.

I have the Think chair in white and platinum. I use it every day, so it fits my practical needs, and it looks light and happy in my home office. I was able to check it out at a Steelcase dealer before ordering, and they gave me their 10% off.

i favor vintage/mid-century but my husband loves modern. either way, he has broken every one of them because he leans back on 2 legs and busts them off. i should just get him an exercise ball to sit on =P

My sister has ankolysing spondolitus (undoubtedly spelt incorrectly, but mostly meant an extremely bad back) & her specialist suggested a non-spinning chair bc that way you have to move & stretch yourself regularly, rather than just moving the chair...

I definitely favor vintage over modern when it comes to desk chairs. (and most things). When my boyfriend and I first moved in together he had one of those big clunky leather chairs on wheels- I couldn't stand it. I feel like they always get in the way and just take over the look of the room. I don't think I like any chairs on wheels! Not really that necessary. I would use a vintage or just less bulky chair and add a nice cushion to it for comfort.

A tractor seat chair is surprisingly comfortable and ergonomic. And it lets you skirt the modern-or-vintage issue, because it is sort of in a class of its own. Also very unobtrusive. Here's one: http://www.magnoliaoffice.com/Silver_Chrome_Task_Chair_w_Tractor_Seat_p/lf-214-silver-gg.htm

We have Pollock chairs. Modern, but not in the "aeron" sense. They're super comfy, but I needed to add a pillow to the back of mine because it is a bit deep.

Lots of good feedback on the question. I'm interested in the Aeron, not just for it's regular super-comfiness, but because it is one of the few with different sizes for different size people. At 5', it's hard to find comfortable furniture, and it usually costs.

I love the Herman Miller Aeron chair!!!!