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Description
Patagonia Men's Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front WadersPatagonia Men's Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front Waders Patagonia's Toughest All Season Wader The Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip Front is Patagonia's flagship wader, the one you buy when you want every feature, every premium material, and every detail dialed in for serious all season fishing. Submersible YKK front zipper for fast on and off and quick streamside relief. Convertible chest to waist design via quick release suspenders. Lightweight 5. 6 oz
Patagonia Men's Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front Waders — Patagonia's Toughest All-Season Wader
The Swiftcurrent Expedition Zip-Front is Patagonia's flagship wader, the one you buy when you want every feature, every premium material, and every detail dialed in for serious all-season fishing. Submersible YKK front zipper for fast on-and-off and quick streamside relief. Convertible chest-to-waist design via quick-release suspenders. Lightweight 5.6-oz upper material paired with tough 9.4-oz lower material for the best balance of weight and durability in any wader at this tier. PFAS-free DWR finish, articulated patterning that moves with you, internal knee pads, removable waterproof pouch, and the Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee that backs everything they make. Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. For Western Slope guides and serious anglers, this is the wader you put on for a 200-day fishing season.
Why the Expedition Zip-Front Is Patagonia's Top Wader
Patagonia makes three tiers of premium waders — the Traverse, the Expedition, and the Expedition Zip-Front. The Expedition Zip-Front sits at the top because it adds three things the others don't have:
- The submersible YKK front zipper. The single most-requested feature in premium waders. Lets you get in and out fast, deal with streamside relief without dropping the suspenders, and layer up underneath without fighting the wader top. Once you've fished a zip-front wader, going back to a non-zip wader feels like a step backward.
- The heaviest, most durable material package. The Expedition Zip-Front uses 5.6-oz upper material and 9.4-oz lower material — significantly heavier than the lighter Traverse line. The 9.4-oz lower material is what holds up to abrasion against rocks, brush, and constant gravel-bar walking that Western Slope fishing demands.
- The most fully-featured design. Two fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, two vertical zip chest pockets, removable internal waterproof pouch, tool attachment points, low-profile net loop, internal knee pads, and Stealth Switch Pack compatibility. Everything is dialed in.
If you want Patagonia's best wader, this is it. If you want lighter weight or lower price, look at the Traverse line.
The Submersible YKK Front Zipper
The front zipper is the headline feature, and it's worth understanding what makes it different. Most "waterproof" zippers are water-resistant — they hold up to splash and incidental contact, but they can leak under pressure. The YKK zipper on the Swiftcurrent Expedition is fully submersible, meaning you can wade chest-deep, sit in the water, or take an unplanned dunking, and the zipper stays sealed.
What this changes about your fishing day:
- Faster on and off. No more wrestling the wader top over your head. Drop the zipper and step out.
- Quick streamside relief. Drop the zipper, do your business, zip back up. Without dropping suspenders or removing layers.
- Easier layering. Cold mornings to warm afternoons — open the zipper to vent, close it when conditions turn.
- Better breathability. Crack the zipper a few inches when hiking between spots to dump heat without removing the waders.
- Corrosion resistance. The new YKK zipper resists corrosion from saltwater and prolonged exposure, important for anglers who fish coastal trips between Colorado seasons.
For guides who put waders on and off five times a day between trips, or for anglers who fish from dawn to dusk through changing conditions, the front zipper alone is worth the upgrade from non-zip waders.
Convertible Chest-to-Waist Design
The Swiftcurrent Expedition uses Patagonia's quick-release suspender system for fast conversion from chest-high to waist-high configuration. Drop the suspenders behind your back, fold the upper down, and tuck it under the wading belt. You're now in waist-high mode for warm-weather fishing or float trips where chest-high coverage isn't needed.
Conversion takes about 10 seconds. Going back to chest-high takes about the same. The suspenders are also more comfortable than previous Patagonia versions — wider, better-distributed, and with no-snag clips that don't catch on flies or fishing line.
The Material Package — Lightweight Where You Want It, Tough Where You Need It
One of the smartest engineering decisions in the Swiftcurrent Expedition is the two-weight material construction. Patagonia uses different fabric weights in different parts of the wader based on what each part actually needs to do:
- 5.6-oz upper material: Lighter weight in the chest, back, and shoulders where heavy material would just add weight without adding meaningful protection. The lighter upper makes the wader more comfortable for all-day wear and reduces shoulder fatigue.
- 9.4-oz lower material: Heavier, more abrasion-resistant fabric in the legs, knees, seat, and bootie attachment area — exactly the parts of the wader that contact rocks, brush, gravel bars, and the constant wear of getting in and out of boats and rivers.
The result is a wader that weighs less overall than a uniform-weight heavy wader, but holds up just as well in the high-wear areas. For Western Slope guides who walk miles between Black Canyon access points, this matters.
PFAS-Free DWR Finish — Industry-Leading Sustainability
Patagonia has been an early leader in eliminating PFAS (forever chemicals) from their gear. The Swiftcurrent Expedition's DWR finish is made without intentionally added PFAS, putting it ahead of most competing waders that still rely on traditional PFAS-based DWR treatments.
Why this matters:
- Environmental impact. PFAS chemicals persist in the environment indefinitely and accumulate in fish, wildlife, and human tissue. Eliminating them from waders is a meaningful step.
- Performance is comparable. Patagonia's PFAS-free DWR works as well as traditional treatments for repelling water and keeping the wader fabric breathable.
- Future-proof. PFAS regulations are tightening across the United States and Europe. Patagonia's PFAS-free approach means the wader meets emerging environmental standards.
For fly anglers who care about the rivers they fish in, this is one of those features that goes beyond marketing into actual environmental benefit.
Articulated Patterning — Moves With You
Patagonia repatterned the Swiftcurrent Expedition with a gusseted crotch and articulated seat and legs. What that means in practice: the wader is cut to match the way your body actually moves when you're wading, scrambling over rocks, climbing into a drift boat, or kneeling on a riverbank.
The articulated cut delivers:
- Less restriction when stepping over downed timber or wading through deep pools
- Better range of motion in the hips and knees when crouching low to net a fish
- Reduced seam stress in the high-flex areas of the wader, which extends product life
- Better repairability — Patagonia designed the patterning specifically for easier seam repairs when needed
Compared to older boxy wader designs, the Swiftcurrent Expedition feels like wearing fitted technical pants rather than a stiff garment.
Internal Knee Pads — A Game-Changer for Wading
The Swiftcurrent Expedition includes internal knee pads built into the wader's lining. This is a feature most waders skip, and it makes a significant difference when:
- Kneeling on rocky banks to land or release a fish
- Crouching low in shallow water to keep your profile down
- Working from a knee position while changing flies or untangling tippet
- Wading on sharp gravel where one bad step can bruise your knees
The knee pads are integrated into the lining, so they don't add bulk to the outer wader silhouette. You don't see them, but you feel them when you need them.
Pocket Layout & Storage
The Swiftcurrent Expedition has more thought-through storage than most waders at any price point:
| Best For | |
|---|---|
| Two fleece-lined handwarmer pockets | Cold-morning warmth, with zip flaps to keep contents secure |
| Two vertical zip chest pockets | Tippet, leaders, fly box, phone (water-resistant zippers) |
| Removable internal waterproof pouch | Wallet, keys, phone in a guaranteed-dry compartment that you can pull out and bring with you |
| Tool attachment points | Nippers, hemostats, retractors |
| Low-profile net loop | Standard wader net attachment, designed not to snag on brush |
| Internal daisy chains | Additional attachment points inside for tippet spools or other tools |
| Center-back hanger loop | Easy hanging for drying after a wet wading day |
Anatomical Left and Right Booties
One small detail that makes a real difference: the booties are anatomical left and right specific, not interchangeable. The shape matches the anatomy of your foot for a more sock-like fit inside your wading boots. Less slipping, less material bunching, better connection between foot and boot.
For all-day wading, anatomical booties reduce the foot fatigue that comes from poorly-fitting wader feet inside wading boots.
Specifications
| Brand | Patagonia |
| Style Number | 82365 |
| Color | Basin Green (BSNG) |
| Upper Material | 5.6-oz, PFAS-free DWR |
| Lower Material | 9.4-oz, PFAS-free DWR |
| Front Zipper | Submersible YKK, corrosion-resistant |
| Construction | Articulated patterning, gusseted crotch |
| Suspenders | Quick-release, fully adjustable |
| Convertible | Chest-to-waist via suspender drop |
| Booties | Anatomical left/right specific neoprene |
| Knee Pads | Internal, integrated into lining |
| Wading Belt | Secure Stretch, included |
| Repair Kit | Aquaseal Patch Kit included |
| Warranty | Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee |
| Made In | Fair Trade Certified factory |
Patagonia's Sizing System
Patagonia uses a three-letter sizing code that's different from other wader brands. Once you understand it, it's actually more precise — Patagonia accommodates more body types than competitors who only offer S/M/L/XL.
The three letters mean:
- First letter: Chest/body size (S = Small, M = Medium, L = Large, X = X-Large)
- Second letter: Inseam length (S = Short, R = Regular, L = Long)
- Third letter: Bootie size (S = 6-8, M = 9-11, L = 12-14)
Examples:
- MRM: Medium chest, Regular inseam (32"), Medium bootie (size 9-11)
- LLL: Large chest, Long inseam (34-36"), Large bootie (size 12-14)
- MSM: Medium chest, Short inseam (30"), Medium bootie
If you're between sizes or unsure, contact us at the shop. Patagonia waders run slightly generous to allow for layering — most reviewers recommend ordering your typical chest size with confidence that there will be room for layers underneath.
Compatible With Patagonia Stealth Switch Packs
The Swiftcurrent Expedition has integrated attachment points for Patagonia's Stealth Switch Pack system. This lets you clip a chest pack, hip pack, or sling pack directly to the wader without separate harness systems. The Switch Packs are sold separately, but the wader is purpose-built to work with them.
For anglers who like a fully integrated gear system — wader + pack + tools all working together — the Swiftcurrent Expedition is the platform that ties everything together.
Patagonia Ironclad Guarantee
One reason serious guides and full-time anglers move to Patagonia is the Ironclad Guarantee. Patagonia guarantees everything they make. If your waders fail and can't be repaired, Patagonia will replace them or issue merchandise credit. Period.
What this means for the cost-per-day calculation: a $899 Patagonia wader that lasts 5 years and gets warranty-replaced when it fails is significantly cheaper per fishing day than a $400 wader that fails in year 2 with no replacement option. For high-mileage anglers, the math favors Patagonia.
Western Slope Applications
The Swiftcurrent Expedition is overbuilt for casual summer fishing — it's designed for serious all-season use. On the Western Slope, that means:
- Cold-weather Black Canyon fishing: Late fall and winter brown trout fishing where layering and warmth matter
- Spring runoff Gunnison and Uncompahgre: High water, cold temperatures, technical wading
- Long guide days: 8-10 hours in the wader, day after day, where comfort and durability separate Patagonia from competitors
- Float trips: Where the convertible waist-high configuration matters for boat travel
- Steelhead trips out of state: The Expedition Zip-Front is built for steelhead conditions in the Pacific Northwest
- Saltwater trips: Corrosion-resistant zipper and durable materials hold up to saltwater fishing
- Multi-day backcountry: Lightweight enough to pack, durable enough for extended use
For most Western Slope anglers, this is your "buy it once" wader. Get it dialed for fit, take care of it, and it'll fish hard for many seasons.
Pairs Well With
- Patagonia wading boots — designed to work with the wader's anatomical booties
- Patagonia Stealth Switch Pack system — integrated chest/hip/sling pack platform
- Simms Freestone or G3 wading boots — alternative premium boots that pair well
- Patagonia base layers and wading socks — complete the layering system
- Wading staff (Folstaf or Simms) — for high-water and uneven-bottom fishing
- Aquaseal repair adhesive — for field repairs (the wader includes a patch kit, but extra Aquaseal is worth keeping in your gear bag)
Why Buy From Ed's Fly Shop?
- Authorized Patagonia dealer. The waders we stock are factory-fresh, with full Patagonia warranty support.
- Real expertise. We use Patagonia waders. We guide in Patagonia waders. We can tell you which Patagonia tier (Traverse vs. Expedition vs. Expedition Zip-Front) is right for your fishing.
- Sizing support. Patagonia's three-letter sizing system can be confusing — we can help you decode it and pick the right size for your body and boot size.
- Local fly shop support. Stop by 432 E Main St in Montrose to try them on and walk through fit options, or order online.
- Western Slope-specific recommendations. We can tell you when the Expedition Zip-Front is the right wader and when something lighter or simpler is a better fit.
Stop by Ed's Fly Shop at 432 E Main St in Montrose, or order online with confidence. Available in your size and configuration above.
Patagonia's flagship wader. Built for hard use. Backed by the Ironclad Guarantee.
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 15 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
PURE JOY? Words can't actually express it!
PURE JOY? Words can't actually express it…
…so why try. Just say that after a quick and painless assembly of the back onto the chair base, and within mere minutes of sitting in the chair, I knew why it was worth the price in terms of both quality and comfort. I instantly knew it would benefit so many others with a range of different shapes, sizes, and complaints about sitting (especially long periods.)
5 minutes of sitting in the chair and my neck felt different, better... 10 minutes that and my back -- the actual SPINE -- felt no other way than I can describe but "better" because there was no weight on it, no pressure I didn't even realize was there previously in other chairs, and yet it was fully supported.
Moving in the chair is also a pleasure -- I can reach back behind me a bit for a tissue on a shelf and the chair curves with my back! in fact, just about any way I move my back at all, the chair moves with it like fluid, providing support and comfort, and without getting in the way!
You can spend some time with all the various adjustments (all very simple to operate and understand, but there is an AMAZING amount of flexibility in the configuration for this thing..) So many adjustments! Even for my mom who prefers chairs that tilt forward -- there is an adjustment for that. Curved back or straight? Adjustment for that. Elbow height? Adjustment for that. Long thighs? Adjustment for that!! (yes, the seat fabric can take the good range of movement for this adjustment!)
You'll also note quality construction in the frame and casters, and arm rests and how they are attached to the base, and in the tension (also adjustable in several places) in chair movement.
Those who need to put weight on their chair arms to sit or get up can easily slide the arm rests down -- and actually USE them to support themselves getting in and out of the chair due to the quality materials/construction.
Within 1-1.5 hours of sitting in the chair after making the many various appropriate adjustments and understanding them, I ordered 2 more of these chairs! I needed one for my lady (so she will spend more time in the office with me!) and one for my mom, who really needs this chair for her back, posture, and ultimate comfort. I imagine she will cart it back and forth between her computer desk, kitchen table, and living room replacing the couch/chairs!!!
BUY IT!!!
For me personally, I did have issues with my back and I found myself recently constantly adjusting my lower back and how I sit. I have a curved back and slouch, rarely sitting with my butt in the back of the chair (towards the rear of the seat, where it generally should be!) but usually in the middle (even to front at times, towards the forward edge of the seat!) I also have shoulder/neck issues from elbow height and it seems no matter what chair/desk I purchase there is never a chair that is comfortable at the same height it takes to get my large thighs under the edge of the desk, in order to get my hands close to a keyboard without slouching forward. All of these issues were wreaking havoc on me in multiple ways, and ultimately I lost productivity and creativity, working less and less. Also I was tired - ALWAYS falling asleep in my chair. Not great when as a small business owner and software developer, I spend sometimes 20 hours in it at a time, and typically spend some number of hours in it 7 days a week.
Would I buy another? In a heartbeat! As mentioned, I already bought two more for the important ladies in my life. Next, I will be buying them as bonuses for my employees, it will definitely help their productivity and it is also a tax deductible expense in that regard!
12 year warranty? I can see that not being needed with this quality, but it's good to know.
Now, as the title says, words can't express it - JOY! Easiest thing to say is that all the problems in the previous paragraph? FIXED! (and then some) I could write more - this chair will ensure it, but my time is expensive so I gotta move on.
JUST BUY IT!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
★★★★★ 4
Not a bad chair but not right for those that are bigger.
Color: Black Rhythm, Color: Black Rhythm
I was very hopeful for this chair. It has good build quality. It's made of good material. Unfortunately, I am an older bigger guy. And I'm dealing with a couple issues. One after sitting in the chair for a bit it causes pain on the back side of my hip right at the transfer into the legs. A lot of chairs have this problem. I've been looking for one that doesn't for a while which is why I got into the ergonomic chairs. The mechanism that extends the actual base of the seat out so that you have more of a sitting area has a release and pole mechanism both on the left and right side of the seat pan. It is a hard point and it digs into my legs. The armrests were never designed for someone my size. I have them set to the highest point and the widest point and they barely work. If they could go up a little bit higher it would be more comfortable. And with how they're set for the width, I can barely fit in the chair. They are touching my sides. It might just be the one that I got but the chair sits slightly forward so it's tilted down just a little bit. This makes it so that as you're sitting in the chair, you're sliding a little bit when you just do slight adjustments and you don't feel quite comfortable. Which causes you to move even more. Overall nice chair but not for me. Honestly, it was one of the easiest chairs to assemble. But like I said, unfortunately not right for me
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Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Embody, Leap, Gesture Review
Color: Black Rhythm, Color: Black Rhythm
I purchased this chair with every intent to return it, because I was positive that you could find a better (or equally as comfortable chair) for less money after reading all of the reviews about it. After a lot of hands-on experience with a few chairs, I decided to keep the Embody.
For three years, I've used a Herman Miller Aeron. It's very comfortable, but it's what I call a "task chair", and is better suited for the office and less so for gaming or reclining back and watching movies on your computer. When I decided it was time for something more plush and comfortable, I tried out a few chairs:
1. Steelcase Leap v2
2. Steelcase Gesture
3. Herman Miller Embody
Here is the short version of the review:
- Skip the Gesture all together. The more adjustable armwrests do not make up for the fact that the back and lumbar support is not as good as the other two chairs. In every test besides the armrests, I could not justify getting this chair over the Leap. If this chair were cheaper, I could recommend it over the Leap, but as it stands, you are getting a much better bang for your buck by getting a Leap, or making the jump to an Embody.
- Get the Steelcase Leap if you are on a budget, but do not pay more than $500 for the chair. (Madison Seating has some great deals on them refurbished) Past that, you might as well make the jump up to the Embody. The Leap is a very comfortable chair, and probably the one I would recommend to most people who are just dipping their toes into ergonomics on a budget. The cushion on this chair is deceiving, however, because if you have them side by side and you do a quick sit test, you will probably think that the Leap is more comfortable than the Embody due to the more plush seat and back (in comparison to the Embody). When I got the Leap, I immediately thought I would have to send back the Embody when I first sat in it. However, after about an hour, I started to feel pressure and discomfort in my back that I did not feel while using the Embody. After several hours, I realized that I sorely missed my Embody and it's form-fitting structure. Also, be aware that the Leap is a much warmer chair than the Embody. I never get hot in my chairs, but I felt quite warm after sitting in it for a full day. When I sat back in the Embody, it was like a cooling relief. However, I still think the Leap v2 is an excellent chair for under $500, and should be your next step up from a crappy traditional office chair.
- Get the Embody if you want the most comfortable chair for the money, and ESPECIALLY if you spend all day sitting. This chair was the hands-down winner if you sit for hours, specifically once you get the chair dialed in to fit your body perfectly and learn to adjust it correctly depending on how you are sitting. It takes a few days of adjustments and trial to finally get that sweet spot, but once you do, it's amazing. The Embody was also the heavier and sturdier chair of the three, and I expect this chair will last a really long time. Bonus, the seat will never go flat. It's a much cooler (temperature) sitting chair than the others, and actually stays cool while you sit in it. The fabric is very comfortable, and while you have to treat it like fabric, it is a much higher-quality material than what is on the Gesture, and especially the Leap (the leap was soft but I don't think the material will wear well). While the Leap felt more plush in terms of cushion, I found this to be deceptive since the Embody proved to be much more comfortable. Overall, I was very impressed by the build quality of the Embody, it was far superior to the other chairs.Even the casters were smoother on carpet. Yes, it's more expensive. But unless you are on a tight budget, this chair will serve you better in the long run than the other two chairs.
*******************************************************
First off, you need to understand that chair comfort is a very subjective thing. At the end of the day, most of the reviews out there are literally comparing features and then telling you to go sit on them yourself, because what is comfortable to them might not be to you. Most of the reviews pointed me towards Steelcase, simply because of the adjustable arms. Let's just say that I'm glad I did my own research, because there are more important things than if you can swivel the armwrests backwards.
*COMFORT*
Hands down, the Embody was the most comfortable chair out of the three, especially when sitting for extended periods of time. You simply cannot sit in these chairs at a store for ten minutes and have that be a good judge of comfort. At first, I thought maybe the Steelcase Leap might be more comfortable than the Embody, but then an hour went by and my body told me that there was no contest, especially in the lower back area. However, the Leap is a very comfortable chair, and excellent for the price.
Why is the Embody so comfortable?
- The seat is kind of like a hammock, where you are being suspended by netting and supported by plastic coils (you can't feel them), as opposed to sitting on a solid foam object (like the other chairs). It's more complicated than that, but the idea is the same. Basically, your butt doesn't get as fatigued because you aren't flattening it against a solid block of foam. I see this kind of seat lasting for a really, really, long time when compared to a traditional foam seat.
- The back is the most comfortable I've felt on a chair. It hugs and conforms to your back regardless of what position you are sitting in. You hardly even notice it, which is the best part. The back slider system on the Leap is a joke, and it's my major complaint with the chair. The Gesture was better, but I preferred the feeling of the Embody. Over time though, I found the Gesture to have less-than-ideal lumbar support, and found myself preferring the Leap over the Gesture for back support. The Embody has a knob that you can use to fill in your back, and after about a week of use I realized you should be adjusting the back for different sitting positions. When sitting straight up, I need to adjust the knob to fill in my upper back and provide some support there, rather than just pure lumbar support. When I recline back, I turn the knob the other way for more lumbar, and it's very comfortable.
- Superior reclining ability. I found the recline adjustment on the Steelcase Leap to be really...annoying. The first THREE positions barely do anything, they're still sitting you straight up with just very slight steps in between. Then the last two are more reclined, but not as reclined as the Embody, or as comfortable. Also, I mention this somewhere else in the review, but the armrests do not move with the recline on the Leap, so when you are reclined back, you have to completely adjust the armrests for your new position. On the Embody, you really only ever have to set them once, since they move with the recline.
- You can "float" in this chair. You can do it better in the Aeron, but due to the forward placement of the recline mechanism, you can find this wonderful half-reclining position where you feel like your body is being weightlessly suspended, or floating. The chair almost disappears, and your muscles relax. I can sit in this position for several hours, and get up without a single bit of pain or discomfort. It works best if you have a nice keyboard tray, and you can pull the tray into your lap and basically relax everything except your hands to type.
- Adjustability, adjustability, adjustability! One of the BEST parts about this chair is how much you can adjust it, and you should be adjusting it often, based on how you are sitting. One of the mistakes I first made was thinking I could set it once and forget it forever, but that's not the case. I use a completely different set of adjustments when I am sitting straight up in the chair as opposed to when I am reclining back and watching a movie or playing a game. At first, I thought I needed MAXIMUM LUMBAR SUPPORT, but I quickly realized that I actually needed more upper back support! A few turns of the knob filled in my upper back, and I felt amazing after sitting all day. I have slightly hunched shoulders from years of bad sitting, and this chair actually forms perfectly to my upper back to support it. If some days I need a little more lumbar support, I just adjust the knob a bit.
The Leap and Embody are both comfortable chairs. But for me, I find that the Embody has an edge due to being much more comfortable over long periods of time, and far superior build quality (it's also a lot more expensive). Also, YOU CAN SIT CROSS-LEGGED in the Embody, and it's very comfortable with the back supporting you in different strange positions. I do this a lot when I'm watching a movie or something, and it's awesome.
Let me close this part by saying you NEED to spend a bit of time with the Embody to get used to it, and understand how the adjustments work to form to your body. It took me a week of sitting in the chair before I realized I needed to change the back support a bit when sitting straight up, rather than a "one setting fits all" kind of thing. If you buy this chair, spend a minimum of two weeks with it and mess around with it before making up your mind.
*DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION*
This is a very modern-looking chair compared to the Leap, which some people don't like. Personally, I find it very attractive from the back, but strange looking from the front, almost disproportional when you see how big the seat is compared to the back. The Gesture is much more normal-looking, and the Leap looks like a regular old office chair. I found the overall quality of the Embody to be superior to the other chairs. It just felt and looked so much more sturdy, despite the large amount of thick plastic on the back of the chair.
Let's get one thing out of the way: the armrests. If you've read ANY reviews of this chair, people bash on the armrests as being so terrible and wobbly. Honestly, I PREFER the Embody armrests over the other two chairs, hands down. They aren't nearly as wobbly as people say, and actually the Leap had much worse wobble. Yes, the Gesture has much nicer and more adjustable armrests, but I don't find them as comfortable as the ones on the Embody. Once you get the width adjusted, they are rock solid and don't move an inch. Also, they curve down a bit on the outside edges, which is insanely comfortable and follows the natural curve of your forearm. It's hard to explain, but I love the way my arms rest on them. Also, the armwrests move back with you when you recline, rather than staying fixed like on the Leap. I found this to be incredibly annoying, because it meant I had to adjust my armwrests constantly, where on the Embody I didn't need to.
The Embody also has very intuitively-placed controls. I looked at the manual once, and then I didn't have to look at it again. The knobs and levers just make sense to me for some reason. The Leap has awful controls, and they're confusing. The Gesture is better, but I prefer the Embody again in this department. It's not like they were impossible to figure out, I just didn't need to think about it. I knew where to put my hand exactly to adjust the recline, back support, etc. It's a small thing, but you can tell they had somebody sit in the chair and figured out where they kept instinctively putting their hands to make adjustments, and designed the controls around that.
In terms of weight, the Embody is the heaviest chair of the three. The base really has some weight to it, and the chair feels like it's made of premium materials. The Leap felt much, much cheaper and lighter, and the Gesture is slightly less heavy. Still, I felt like the Leap was made of cheaper stuff and didn't feel as sturdy, even though the entire back on the Embody is plastic.
Some people mentioned the Embody being noisy due to the moving parts on the back, but my Embody was the quietest chair of the three. I much prefer the seat adjustment of the Embody, once I got used to it. The Leap was really annoying to adjust the seat, since there isn't a dedicated object to hold onto, and I really loved being able to simply grab the two small handles to adjust the seat on a whim. When I recline back, I like the seat a little longer. I feel like I have a lot more control over the exact length when I'm using my hands as opposed to my hips to try to push it out to the right length.
*STUFF I DON'T LIKE*
Let's face it, I've said mostly great things about this chair. There are some things that I don't love, but these are mostly nitpicks.
- I have a love-hate relationship with the seat slider. I love the idea, and I love how easy it is to slide forward (you're essentially unrolling the fabric and extending the frame to make the seat deeper). I adjust it a lot, because I like the seat longer when I'm reclining back, and shorter when I'm sitting straight up. Sometimes, it can be a bit finnicky to lock in place, and it has a less solid feel than I would like. Still, I like it better than the Leap or Gesture seats.
- No headrest option. I was quite bugged that a chair at this price point wouldn't have a headrest, but I suspect it wouldn't work well with the flexible back. It doesn't make or break the chair, in my opinion, but it certainly would be nice.
*FINAL THOUGHTS*
One of the reasons the Embody is so comfortable is because you barely notice that it's there while you work, but you need to spend some time adjusting the chair to the perfect fit for your body. It has some of the best back support I've ever felt in a chair, and I really dig the looks. I love the seat, because I don't have to worry about it going flat after a few years of use. The armrests aren't as bad as everyone says, and I even preferred them over the competition. The chair reclines wonderfully, and is highly adjustable. I expected to send this chair back, but instead the other two went back. Steelcase makes great chairs, and you can compare based on price, but not pure comfort. I would absolutely recommend the Leap to somebody that is on a budget, and I probably would have been happy if I had only ordered the Leap. However, I once I got the Embody next to it, I couldn't return it, even knowing how much more expensive it was over the Leap. The extra money was worth it, in my opinion.
Pair this chair with a footrest and an ergonomic keyboard tray, and you'll realize that your office is the most comfortable place in the house.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
★★★★★ 5
A Testament to Comfort: Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair Review
Color: Charcoal Rhythm, Color: Charcoal Rhythm
Our latest addition to the office is the Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair, marking our third acquisition of this exceptional piece. Despite a less-than-ideal experience with the third-party seller from whom this particular chair was purchased, our review focuses solely on the product's merits, independent of the seller's service and packaging practices. It's worth noting that this chair arrived with a broken wheel and a compromised seat extension control, attributed to the seller's unconventional packaging method and the sale of used items at discounted rates. Additionally, there appeared to be discrepancies in the fabric, suggesting it might not be the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) material.
Setting aside the seller-related issues, the Herman Miller Embody Chair itself continues to be an unparalleled choice for ergonomic seating. The investment in such a chair may initially seem daunting, yet the benefits it offers to one's back, legs, and overall body are undeniable. For those of us who spend the majority of our day seated, the Embody Chair has proven to be transformative, significantly enhancing comfort and support during long hours of work.
The chair's exceptional adjustability, ease of use, and comfort are its standout features. It offers a range of adjustments that cater to personal comfort preferences, ensuring optimal support and posture alignment. The ease with which these adjustments can be made allows users to fine-tune their seating experience to their exact needs, highlighting the chair's user-friendly design.
In conclusion, despite the challenges presented by our experience with the third-party seller, the Herman Miller Embody Ergonomic Office Chair itself remains highly recommended. Its impact on improving posture and providing unparalleled support during extended periods of sitting justifies the investment. This chair isn't just a piece of office furniture; it's a proactive investment in one's health and well-being, offering a preventive solution to potential ergonomic-related health issues. For those who prioritize comfort and ergonomic support in their workspace, the Embody Chair is an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
★★★★★ 2
Like one of the other reviews has stated
Like one of the other reviews has stated, I, too, really wanted to like this chair, and I would have much rather enjoyed using it, than have losing $300 to send this chair back to the company that I purchased it from--(I have to pay for shipping both ways, plus a 10% restocking fee). Furthermore, I now have to begin the process again, for looking for yet another office chair that does not actually cause me physical discomfort and pain to use.
To begin this review, I want to state that I have never in my life experienced any sort of back injury, and in general, I never experience back pain. I am a healthy person in my 20's, my body frame is 6 feet tall and weighs 160 lbs, and I wear a size 38 suit jacket. I am a graduate student that spends each day sitting, doing reading and researching online, and I really need a proper ergonomic chair in which to do that each day.
I also want to mention, that unlike some people who have probably purchased this chair without trying it out first at an actual Herman Miller retail store, I actually did make two different trips out of my way to a Herman Miller retailer to test this chair out for about an hour each time, before decided to purchase it.
Having stated all of that, I will explain some of the reasons for which I rate this chair 2 stars out of 5 stars.
The chair caused me discomfort and pain:
1. Ultimately, the single chief reason for which I am choosing to return this chair, is that I cannot sit in it for extended periods of time, without experiencing pain and/or flaring in my back.
2. Aside from that discomfort, the chief reason for which I simply cannot use this chair for extended periods of time, is that it is extremely hard to find a sitting position on this chair that is not actually uncomfortable; the way in which the lower and middle portions of this chair are designed confuses me, as those portions of the chair's letter "H" shaped components are unable to be adjusted, which is very significant, due to the fact that the lower and middle portions of the back of this chair can really cause a lot of discomfort.
3. Problems using the setting for this chair:
What is probably the most greatly annoying part of using this chair, is the fact that it is so hard to find a single setting that works, and once one finds a setting that works, it changes and then changes again; and there are no memory settings, so each time one tries to revert back to a previous setting that actually worked, one has to go through trial and error steps that are time consuming and frustrating.
4. The back portion of the chair:
The lower back portion of this chair is not adjustable, and it really does press into my back as though it were an elbow. Of course there are ways to adjust the back of the chair so that such an experience can be altered, but when I make such adjustments, the chair is not improved, and only remains equally, if not more uncomfortable in different ways.
An example of how discernable the lack of comfort in this chair is, occurred when I had one of my family members, who has spent lots of time searching for a proper office chair for himself, sit in my Embody chair, and he noticed within seconds that the chair was not very comfortable.
5. Why didn't I discover these aspects of the chair when I tried it in the store?:
You might be wondering, how is it that I did not discover such uncomfortable qualities to this chair when I tried it out in the store. That question leads me to my biggest piece of advice to anyone considering purchasing this chair: It is imperative that you try this chair out for very extended periods of time before deciding to make this your new chair--that is of course, unless you don't mind spending between $1200 and $1650 for a chair that might not be useable. As for myself, I am lucky enough to be able to return this item, but it is going to cost me $300 to do so. It takes time to really discover the potential that this chair has for discomfort, as well as comfort, so don't expect to really know what this chair is all about from a basic trial of it.
6. Amount of time that I used this chair:
Since purchasing this chair I have sat in it for up to 10 and 12 hours a day, totaling well over 150 hours, and unfortunately I have concluded that I simply cannot be an owner of a Herman Miller Embody chair.
7. Some of the positive qualities of the chair:
Having stated all of that, I will in fairness, explain in my estimation what some of the positive qualities of this chair are.
8. Craftsmanship:
The chair is clearly crafted well and manufactured well, with good quality parts and fabric; the chair is weighs 65 pounds, and it feels solid. Furthermore, the casters that come standard with the chair, work very well--they roll well, and quietly. The arm pads of the chair work well, but I wish that they actually went a little higher than they do; I found my posture being adversely affected by having to rest my arms too low, and for a chair that seeks to be a "one size fits all ergonomic chair," I think it is an oversight to not make the arm pads go higher for people that are taller and have longer arms. Another positive quality about the chair is that it reclines extremely well; with this chair, one is able to really get a full recline, and remain in that position for as long as one feels comfortable, without feeling as though the chair is going to tip over, due to its very substantial weight.
9. Aesthetic:
The chair has an exceptional aesthetic as well. Although, if you do decide to purchase this chair, I highly recommend the "Black on Black" color, and do not recommend purchasing the white colored chair. I was one of the many people who initially planned to buy one of the bright white chairs,because the do look really cool, but before I purchased my chair, I read another reviewer state that they regretted buying the white chair, as its brightness served to overwhelm the spaces in which they used it. I ultimately concurred with their recommendation and was glad that I decided to buy the black chair. The white chair looks great, but over time, it is way too much; too bright, too white, too colorful, etc.
Before purchasing this chair I looked at every YouTube review video of the Embody chair that I could, to see what they were saying, and it really does seem as though the main reason that is given for purchasing this chair, is that it ostensibly has such a novel and beautiful aesthetic to it--which may be true, but in my estimation, it is not a good enough reason to spend between $1200 - $1650 on a chair that ultimately might have to be returned. When paying that kind of premium money, you're going to need a chair that you can use a lot.
10. Conclusion:
I am disappointed that I will be sending this chair back to the company from whom I purchased it. This chair is not your ordinary office chair: it is unique in its objective to mimic the human spine, and it really should be experienced for very extended periods of time, before being purchased. This is a very heavy chair -- 65 pounds -- to be returning, and that combined with the cost of returning it, is why it is not in one's best interest to purchase this chair unless one plans to keep it. Even if you decide to return this chair within the 30 day time frame that is allowed, you will be charged for both ways of shipping, and in my case, a 10% restocking fee (totalling $300).
Here is something interesting to keep in mind: At Herman Miller, the employees are allowed to use whatever Herman Miller chair they choose. Yet, on the several (three) different occasions that I called Herman Miller, I learned that there are plenty of employees that choose to use chairs other than the Embody chair, which are a lot more low end, as their own personal office chair. The main reason that I decided to purchase the Embody chair over the Aeron chair, is because of the fact that the Embody chair is supposed to have incorporated all of the research, development, and money that went into designing the Aeron chair, in addition to all kinds of new cutting edge research and development. I therefore concluded that the Embody chair would surely be at least as good, if not better than the Aeron chair. Well, when ones holds the aforesaid idea in mind, it is very curious that there are plenty of Herman Miller employees that choose not to use the Embody chair as their own personal office chair, given the fact that they are encouraged to use whatever Herman Miller chair they prefer the most. Furthermore, it is also interesting that there are not more positive reviews of the Embody chair than the paltry handful of reviews that have been on Amazon since the chair was created approximately five or more years ago. If the Embody chair is Herman Miller's new flagship chair, than why after all of these years of being produced, have there not been more positive reviews of the chair on Amazon?
I do not doubt that this chair can be a phenomenal chair for some, if not many people. I can however, only offer my own perspective and experience with this chair. Just around each time that I thought I was finally getting to like this chair, I would then begin experiencing new forms of discomfort and/or pain from using it.
Message to Herman and Miller:
If any of the designers from the research and development teams from Herman Miller read this review, I want to give you some summarized recommendations:
1. Please try to fix the harshness of the lower lumbar portion of this chair, or at least design the chair so that the letter "H" portion of the lower lumbar area of the chair can be adjusted.
2. Please offer some sort of memory settings for the chair, so that it might be easier to go between settings without having to use trial and error, and lots of guess work for finding a comfortable chair setting.
3. Please consider making the arm pads go a little higher for taller people.
4. Please consider making this chair more comfortable to sit in--and by comfortable, I mean that it might be prudent to put more cushioning on this chair, which may not be as aesthetically pleasing as the current Embody chair model, but which could ultimately yield a much more inviting and rewarding sitting experience for Embody chair users. It really seems as though function in the Embody chair was compromised for the sake of the chair's novel, modern, futuristic aesthetic.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2016