Quick Comparison

Design Philosophy

Although both chairs are premium ergonomic products, their design goals are quite different — and understanding that difference is the key to choosing between them.

Haworth Fern

The Haworth Fern takes its design inspiration from the natural structure of a fern leaf — a branching, flexible form that distributes load across many points rather than concentrating it in one place. The backrest is built as a dynamic, frond-like structure that flexes in multiple directions simultaneously as the user moves. Rather than engineering the chair to hold the user in a prescribed “correct” position, the Fern’s philosophy is to support whatever posture the user naturally adopts. This results in a chair that feels unusually free and responsive — particularly for users who shift posture frequently or who find more rigid backrests uncomfortable.

Steelcase Leap

The Steelcase Leap is built around the idea that the chair should actively follow and support the spine — not remain static while the user moves against it. The LiveBack system is engineered to change shape as the user shifts, maintaining continuous contact with the spine and lower back throughout a wide range of natural movements. The chair also includes a flexible seat edge that reduces pressure behind the thighs during long sessions, and an adjustable lumbar system that allows precise positioning of lower back support. The Leap’s design is more structured than the Fern’s, but it is structured in response to movement rather than imposing a fixed sitting position.

Back Support

Back support is the most significant area of difference between these two chairs — and the factor most likely to determine which is the right choice for any individual user.

Fern — Back Support

The Fern includes built-in passive lumbar support as part of its wave suspension structure — the backrest naturally cradles the lower back as it flexes with the user’s movement. For users who want additional, manually adjustable lumbar support, an optional add-on mechanism is available that moves within a 3.5″ range. Users who prefer a backrest that feels natural and unobtrusive — one that supports without being consciously felt — often find the Fern’s approach more comfortable than a dedicated lumbar mechanism.

Leap — Back Support

The Leap provides more targeted, controllable lumbar support as standard. The built-in adjustable lumbar system allows users to move the support up or down to precisely align with the natural inward curve of their lower spine — a level of manual control that is included in the base chair and does not require an additional purchase. The LiveBack backrest changes shape as the user moves, maintaining support at the lower back even through a range of postures. For users who experience lower back discomfort during long sitting sessions, the Leap’s more deliberate and adjustable lumbar system typically provides more noticeable relief.

Comfort for Long Sitting Sessions

Both chairs are designed for extended desk work — but the sitting experience they provide is noticeably different, and personal preference plays a significant role in which feels better.

Fern — Sitting Experience

The Fern generally feels softer and more fluid. Because the backrest follows movement rather than maintaining a fixed shape, there is a consistent sense of the chair adapting around the user rather than the user needing to find and maintain a position. Many users describe this as a more natural feeling — particularly those who have previously found conventional ergonomic chairs overly structured or constraining. The Fern tends to suit users who move frequently during the day and prefer a chair that accommodates that movement without resistance.

Leap — Sitting Experience

The Leap provides slightly more structured support. Many users prefer the consistent lower back engagement it provides during focused, sustained computer work — the LiveBack system maintains contact with the spine in a way that reduces the muscular effort required to maintain posture. The flexible seat edge is a practical advantage for long sessions, reducing the pressure behind the thighs that builds up over several hours. Users who sit in one primary position for extended periods, particularly for focused keyboard work, often find the Leap more comfortable over a full workday than the Fern.

Adjustability

Both chairs offer extensive ergonomic adjustments that cover the core setup requirements for most users and desk configurations.

Shared Adjustments

Both the Fern and Leap include seat height adjustment, tilt tension control, recline mechanism, and armrest position adjustment (height, width, and pivot). These cover the primary adjustments most users need for a properly configured ergonomic workspace.

Where They Differ

The Leap’s 4D armrests offer a slightly wider range of adjustment than the Fern’s, including depth adjustment — useful for users who work with varied desk depths or keyboard positions. The more significant difference is lumbar: the Leap’s built-in adjustable lumbar system is standard across all configurations, while the Fern’s passive lumbar is built in but a manually adjustable lumbar mechanism requires an optional add-on. For buyers who know adjustable lumbar support matters to them, this is a practical consideration worth confirming before purchase.

Which Chair Should You Choose?

Both the Haworth Fern and Steelcase Leap are premium ergonomic chairs that will comfortably outlast most alternatives. The right choice comes down to how you work and what type of back support you respond to best.