Quick Comparison

Design Philosophy

Although both chairs come from Steelcase, they were designed with different ergonomic goals — and understanding those goals makes it much easier to choose between them.

Steelcase Leap

The Leap focuses on dynamic spinal support. Its flexible backrest is designed to follow the natural movement of the spine as the user shifts throughout the day — rather than holding the body in one fixed position. The LiveBack system mirrors how the spine actually moves, which helps reduce fatigue during long uninterrupted sitting sessions. A flexible seat edge further reduces pressure behind the thighs, an often-overlooked source of discomfort during extended use.

Steelcase Gesture

The Gesture was designed in response to how people actually work with modern technology. Research by Steelcase found that computer and device users adopt a much wider range of postures than traditional office workers — from forward-leaning keyboard work to reclined tablet browsing. The Gesture’s design specifically accommodates this variety, with an extremely flexible arm system and a backrest that supports multiple spinal positions rather than optimising for one.

Lumbar Support

Lumbar support is among the most important factors in any ergonomic chair. Proper support at the lower spine helps maintain the natural inward curve and reduces disc pressure during long sitting sessions.

Leap — Lumbar Support

The Leap includes adjustable lumbar support with a meaningful vertical range, allowing the user to position the support precisely at belt-line level where the lower spine curves inward. The LiveBack system works alongside this by flexing as the spine shifts — providing continuous, dynamic support rather than static pressure at a single point. Many users find this combination particularly effective for preventing lower back fatigue over full workdays.

Gesture — Lumbar Support

The Gesture includes lumbar support, but its adjustment range is more limited than the Leap’s. The Gesture relies more on the overall shape and contour of the backrest to support the spine, rather than a dedicated adjustable mechanism. This works well for users who move frequently, as the adaptive backrest changes angle with posture shifts — but users who need precise, targeted lower back support may find the Leap’s system more effective.

Armrests

Armrest design is one of the most significant differences between these two chairs — and often the deciding factor for buyers who work with multiple devices.

Leap — Armrests

The Leap’s armrests are highly adjustable across four dimensions: height, width, depth, and pivot angle. This covers most desk setups well and allows the arms to be positioned correctly for sustained keyboard and mouse work. For conventional computer use, the Leap’s armrests are more than adequate and easier to configure than the Gesture’s more complex system.

Gesture — Armrests

The Gesture’s 360-degree arm system is in a different category entirely. The armrests can move in virtually any direction and follow the arms through positions that no conventional armrest accommodates — including the forward reach of typing, the wide-arm position of tablet use, and the dropped position of reclining with a phone. For users who regularly switch between a laptop, tablet, and phone throughout the day, this flexibility is genuinely useful rather than simply a specification point.

Comfort for Long Hours

Both chairs are designed for extended sitting — but they provide noticeably different comfort experiences during long workdays.

Leap — Sitting Experience

The Leap tends to feel softer and more adaptive. The seat cushion and backrest respond easily to small shifts in posture, and the flexible seat edge reduces the pressure behind the knees that builds up over long sessions. Many users describe a “disappearing chair” effect — the Leap conforms to the body well enough that its presence stops being noticeable. This quality, combined with the strong lumbar system, is why the Leap consistently ranks among the top chairs for uninterrupted full-day use.

Gesture — Sitting Experience

The Gesture feels slightly firmer and more structured. It provides strong, stable support during upright desk work, and many users appreciate the sense of control this gives during intensive typing or focused computer sessions. The firmness becomes more of a factor during very long, uninterrupted sitting — some users find the Leap more comfortable across a full eight-hour day, while the Gesture’s wider posture range suits those who move more frequently.

Which Chair Should You Choose?

Both the Leap and Gesture are among the best ergonomic office chairs available. The right choice depends on how you work and what type of support matters most to you.