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The Vari CoreChair has really surprised me. I thought this would be some sort of flash chair for me, a trick I loved for exactly a week and then completely forgot about, and almost did, but I see the potential.
In fact, if it weren't for my bad knees combined with my tall build, I think this would be the perfect chair for me during the work day. But a few things keep this chair in “good,” not “excellent,” condition. But each of them can be solved with simple adjustments.
The entire USP of the CoreChair is its unstable connection between the seat and the post. It's loose enough that you have to work your core while sitting, which can be hit or miss for users, but for those who already fidget while sitting, perhaps bouncing a leg or fidget, or feel the need to stand and walk, this may be precisely what they need.
This won't be the best office chair for most people; Without a doubt, it is a niche product. But for me, as a fairly active person, this chair, in concept, is precisely what I want. I can't get the height to work for me, but again, that could be solved quite easily.
Vari CoreChair: Price and Availability
CoreChair sells for $499 on Vari's official website. With that, you get free standard shipping in the contiguous US and a 3-year warranty, including full product replacement per Vari's policy.
It's worth noting that this chair is currently only available in black, but I doubt the lack of color options will deter buyers.
Vari CoreChair: Unboxing and first impressions
This was probably the easiest chair I've ever built, other than the few I've received that are pre-made. It took about 3 minutes, two screws and no worries at all.
From the beginning, I thought this was a strange chair; It had a very aggressive tailbone cushion and a super low backrest, as you would expect from a work chair designed for focused work, without being propped up for long hours.
That said, after sitting on this for the first time, I was completely impressed by how comfortable the cushion was and how premium everything felt, given its simplicity.
However, I was right in my first thought: this chair should be at stool height, not chair height, but more on that later.
Vari CoreChair: quality of design and construction
After months of using this chair on and off, I still stand by the fact that this is one of the most comfortable cushions on a seat. It's firm but supportive and breathable even on the hottest days. I also love that the spokes on the legs are wider, which makes it easier to put your feet on.
The backup section here is a little confusing and to be honest I'm not sure why it exists. It feels unnecessary, like it should be bigger or removed entirely. And, in fact, I mean that as a positive thing. The chair is strong enough on its own that converting it into a stool might be better than using it as a chair.
If this were a stool, I could stretch my legs a little more, use the spoke footrests a little more, and help my balance while using it as well. The chair is very close to great; I just wish there was a little change.
Vari CoreChair: In use
I work in a specific workspace three days a week and this chair has been in that workspace during all of my testing. I've used it for all-day sessions, more than 8 hours straight. Over that time, I feel like I can now say that this chair gives me not so much a core workout but a focused and engaged core.
For someone like me who is very active and hypermobile, I feel like I'm constantly tapping my feet or bouncing my leg. A chair like this that helps me stay busy without feeling like I need to tap or fidget. I noticed that using this chair helped me focus on what I was working on, making hours seem like mere minutes.
After several weeks of using this chair, I have a few notes that I wish I could change. First of all, I don't think the lumbar part is necessary, although I understand why they added it. Secondly, it could be my height, but I wish this chair was at the height of the stool. If it were a little higher, I think I could wear it for a few more days at a time, or even a few more hours at a time. Right now, after a few hours, I get a little antsy due to knee pain, but I love having the core activation.
I think, as it stands, the best use for this chair is between two- to four-hour work sessions where you need to write, concentrate, craft a proposal, squash some emails, or anything else where you need to hyper-fixate. This chair could help you block and take him down. For some, that's precisely what they need to do their best work.
However, if you have lower back pain or another ailment, I recommend that you stay away from this chair as it will not provide the natural support that most ergonomic chairs provide and will instead force you to hold on adding a layer of instability. If you suffer from severe lower back pain, the Steelcase Leap is still the gold standard in that department.
Vari CoreChair: final verdict
The Vari CoreChair is a good option for the right person and something others should avoid. It's not the chair for everyone, but rather a niche option that could be a secret weapon for productivity.
As mentioned, there are a few areas I would like to tweak to make this an even better chair, but for now, I see myself keeping this chair in rotation for those times when I need to lock it down. It's a great rotation between sitting, standing at a standing desk, and sitting in the CoreChair, although I know not everyone has the opportunity for a work environment like that.
To keep things simple, if you experience pain in your lower back or knees, this will definitely not be the right chair for you. If you prefer passive sitting (where the chair does the work for you) rather than active sitting (where you control how you sit and what support you receive), again, the CoreChair won't meet those requirements.
But if you're the type of person who fidgets, moves constantly, or has a slightly hyperactive mindset, this chair can unlock levels of productivity you never thought were possible.
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For more office furniture essentials, visit our guide to best standing desks we have tried.
