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Home Computing Chair Advice

Herman Miller Aeron Posturefit vs Lumbar Support Pad (best)

When you buy something using an affiliate link in this post, ChairsFX may receive a small commission, at no additional expense to you. This has no influence on our editorial content. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
February 18, 2022 - Updated on April 7, 2024
Reading Time: 9 mins read

Herman Miller’s Aeron chair gives you a choice of two lumbar support options. The height-adjustable lumbar pad is comfortable and easy to use — but flimsy. The depth-adjustable Posturefit supports two parts of your lower back — but you can’t adjust the height. I found the sliding lumbar pad the better of two mediocre options. However, neither option is a deal-breaker: mild, generalized lumbar support is a key part of the Aeron’s support concept.

Man sitting in Aeron chairs to test Posturefit vs sliding lumbar pad support types
L-R: depth-adjustable Posturefit; height-adjustable lumbar pad (recommended).

Buying an Aeron chair in the Herman Miller online Store gives you seven configuration options. You can customize your frame color, chair features, and the lumbar support.

Herman Miller Aeron lumbar support styles
L-R: Height-adjustable lumbar pad; depth-adjustable PostureFit.

There are two lumbar support options: a sliding lumbar pad and a depth-adjustable Posturefit unit. Choose carefully before buying. Otherwise, you may feel disappointed with your investment, like Pokimane was!

I tested each lumbar type in Size B Aeron chairs (I’m 5’9″). I found that both provide mediocre lower back support — by design. But the height-adjustable sliding lumbar pad is better.

Posturefit Drawback

Contrary to its name, Posture fit is not designed to ‘fit’ into your lower back curve. Instead, it delivers mild pressure to two different parts of your lower spine. Without height adjustability, I found the fit for my size imperfect.

Aeron Gaming chair Posturefit system
The Posturefit system supports two parts of the spine — but you can’t adjust the height.

If you don’t like Posture support, you can reduce the depth to have zero impact. But then, you have a pricey ergonomic chair without lumbar support!

Lumbar Pad Drawback

The height-adjustable lumbar pad slides up or down. That makes it easy to ensure custom support for your spine. However, it’s flimsy: with enough pressure applied, it pops out! Many Reddit threads have the same complaint(1).

Herman Miller Aeron sliding lumbar pad closeup
The sliding lumbar holds in place with flimsy plastic notches; moderate pressure pops the unit off.

Bottom line: both lumbar types provide mild support that some may find disappointing. However, these are not design flaws. Rather, mild lower back pressure is a key part of the Aeron chair’s support concept.

Aeron Support Concept

According to Aeron designers, firm lumbar pressure is better for short-term sitting. For longer bouts, its mesh suspends the body for optimal comfort.

Herman Miller Aeron prototypes

The Aeron’s designers crafted several prototypes before opting for Pellicle suspension mesh. (2)

This concept helped a driver with a broken back win the Indianapolis 500. It also helps desk workers enjoy support that feels like floating on air. This means that it doesn’t matter whether you choose a Posturefit or sliding lumbar pad — in theory.

Aeron Remastered from Herman Miller $1275-$2340

Learn more: Aeron Remastered Review

Aeron Posturefit vs Lumbar Pad

Does the Aeron chair work better without lumbar support, with a lumbar pad, or with a Posturefit unit? The best way to decide is to vigorously test each out. So that’s what I did.

Man sitting in Aeron chair with Posturefit and sliding lumbar pad types for comparison
L-R: Posturefit, sliding lumbar. Both options provide very mild support that feels inconsequential.

Based on textbook lumbar support biomechanics, every spine has a unique length. For a proper fit, a height-adjustable lumbar is essential.

DIY ergonomic lumbar support
DIY ergonomic chair: a rolled-up yoga mat just above your beltline will help you sit straight.

The height-adjustable sliding lumbar pad follows this concept. Slide it just above your beltline for best results. It works well, but it’s flimsy. In my tests, moderate pressure popped it out of its sockets a few times.

Herman Miller Aeron Posturefit vs Lumbar pad comparison
The Aeron comes with a choice of height-adjustable lumbar or depth-adjustable PostureFit (recommended) .

But I found the Posturefit not much better. I tried it out in a few medium-sized Aeron chairs (I’m 5’9″ / 177 cm). None provided direct support to my lower back curve.

Instead, I felt a sort of mild pressure applied to the top half of my curve. It felt weird, unlike any lumbar support I’ve ever tried. Reducing its depth to zero made no difference. What’s the point?

Aeron Concept: Balanced Suspension

The first iteration of the Aeron debuted in 1994 as a fancy mesh chair with a sliding lumbar pad. Two years later, it got an ergonomic supercharge from Indy 500 race car concepts(3). That year, an Indy 500 driver named Buddy Lazier crashed and broke his back. He then sought the help of Dr. Brock Walker.

Dr. Brock Walker attending to a race car driver; inspiration for the Aeron chair's back support
Dr. Walker’s Indy 500 suspension-style racing seats inspired the Aeron’s back support philosophies.

Dr. Walker had built several prototype seats for race car drivers with a unique concept that dismisses lumbar support. From his perspective, a supported lumbar spine only helps people feel comfortable in the moment.

If you’re positioned in the right manner and supported in the right places… you’ll be able to sustain your position for a longer period of time.​Dr. Brock Walker

In contrast, firm sacral support (below the belt line where the spinal column connects to the pelvis) tilts the hips into the same angle as when in a healthy standing position.

Buddy Lazier's back injury inspired the Aeron chair's ergonomic support concepts
Buddy Lazier’s broken back provided the technical inspiration for the Aeron’s suspension concept.

Walker designed a seat that put Lazier in a state of ‘floating suspension’. It distributed Lazier’s body weight to minimize pressure on his pelvis and sacrum.

The end result: Lazier went on to win the 1996 Indianapolis 500(4). Soon after, Dr. Walker’s support concepts were ported into the Aeron chair.

Bottom line: the Aeron’s mesh is designed to suspend the body in a perfect position for maximum long-term comfort. Whichever type of lumbar support you use is designed to provide only mild, complimentary support.

Posturefit Pros and Cons

The Aeron’s PostureFit system costs $100. It uniquely delivers support for two parts of the lower spine. As the user moves in the chair, two pads flex independently of each other.

Aeron chair PostureFit back support
PostureFit hits two parts of the spine with depth control.

The top pad puts pressure on the lumbar spine like a gaming chair lumbar pillow. The bottom one adds a light touch to the base of your spine.

Aeron Posturefit lumbar support
You can adjust the depth of PostureFit support, but not the height.

The biggest initial problem users may find is the lack of height adjustability. However, assuming you choose the right-sized model for your body type, a proper fit is not necessary.

Closeup of the Posturefit dual-pad back support system
Posturefit’s top pad supports the upper lumbar spine. The lower one hits the sacral spine (near the tailbone).

The large upper pad is designed to partially support the upper portion of your lumbar curve. In contrast, standard lumbar support systems target the dead center of your lower back curve.

Proper lumbar support positioning
The textbook lumbar support target is just above the beltline with around 4 cm of depth (1.5 inches).

With an expectation for the Posturefit to provide standard lumbar-powered support, its fit feels off. However, once you grasp that it’s only supposed to provide mild, complementary support, that concern fades.

Posturefit Personal Impressions

I found the Posturefit inconsequential. With the depth turned up with full pressure, I only felt very mild support. With it turned down to zero, it didn’t make a difference.

Side view of man sitting in 2 Herman Miller Aeron chairs equipped with Posturefit Lumbar support
Easy good posture in a Posturefit Aeron at maximum (left) and minimum depth settings.

In both cases, the Aeron’s suspension concept lived up to its hype. I found it extremely easy to sit in clean neutral postures with or without Posturefit support.

Summary of Pros and Cons

Posturefit is not designed to fill your lower back curve. Instead, it provides mild complementary support to the upper portion of your lumbar curve. Once you grasp that concept, it becomes easier to appreciate.

Pros
  • Hits two parts of the spine
  • Depth-adjustable control
  • Provides mild support that complements the suspension mesh
Cons
  • Costs $100 extra
  • No height-adjustability
  • Only provides partial lumbar support
  • Not swappable with the Lumbar Pad

Bottom line: Posturefit is not supposed to fill your lower back curve. So don’t worry about achieving a good fit. If you don’t like the support it provides, simply reduce the depth to zero.

Lumbar Pad Pros and Cons

The Aeron’s height-adjustable lumbar pad comes in two flavors. There’s an older version that fits the original Aeron chair. In 2017, the Aeron Remastered was launched with updated mesh and sync-tilt functionality. Its lumbar unit ($75) is a more refined version of the original.

Herman Miller Aeron lumbar support
Aeron classic vs Remastered lumbar support pads.

The Remastered version has an updated look but similar functionality as the old one. The whole unit works as a single piece that slides up or down with a 5-inch range. To adjust, simply reach behind you and pull the unit up or down.

There are downsides. First, you can adjust the height of the unit, but not the depth (which is very mild). Second, if you lean a moderate amount of body weight against the backrest, the entire unit often pops out!

Closeup of the Herman Miller Aeron sliding lumbar pad
The thin clips that hold the unit in place often pop out when mild pressure is applied.

Lumbar Pad Personal Impressions

In my first test, leaning my full body weight against the unit popped it out. Then I tried to gingerly apply pressure. But when I shifted positions, it popped out again! But once I got the feel for its sensitivity, it worked as I expected.

Herman Miller Aeron postures compared in a sliding lumbar vs Posturefit-equipped model
The sliding lumbar-equipped Aeron (left) and Posturefit version both provide superb posture support.

It delivers very mild pressure to the lower back — just enough to do the trick, but never excessive. Once locked in place, the mild pressure it delivers makes it easier to sit up straight.

But sitting in an Aeron with a disabled Posturefit feels almost as supportive. This is because the Aeron is a suspension chair, not a meaty lumbar support one.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • $20 cheaper than a PostureFit system
Cons
  • No depth-adjustability
  • Hangs in place with flimsy hinges that often pop loose
  • Only provides very mild lower back pressure

Bottom line: unlike the Posturefit, the lumbar pad’s height adjustability ensures a perfect fit. However, it’s a flimsy unit that only provides mild support. But despite these limits, it supports the lower back curve better than the Posturefit does.

Aeron Remastered Build Options

A standard Aeron chair without extras now costs $1275 for small, medium, and large versions. But before checkout, you have seven crucial add-on choices to make in the Herman Miller Store!

Established lumbar support guidelines suggest the sliding lumbar as the smarter choice. Based on my tests, I agree that the lumbar pad is better. Here are my recommendations for all 7 options:

  1. Frame and base colors: six styles; ( graphite  is cheapest, mineral + polished aluminum is $340 extra).
  2. Chair size: choose Size A (small), Size B (medium), or Size C (XL). All are the same price.
  3. Back support: no back support (cheapest);  Adjustable Lumbar Support Pad  ($80 extra); Posturefit ($100 extra).
  4. Seat and backrest tilt: Standard Tilt lets you control rocking tension.  Tilt Limiter  ($105 extra) lets you lock the backrest and seat at angles.
  5. Armrests: non-adjustable; height-adjustable ($130 extra);  3D adjustable  ($270 extra)
  6. Armrest pads:  standard  or leather ($190 extra).
  7. Caster wheels:  casters for carpets ; multi-surface casters with ‘quiet roll'($50 extra).

The cheapest configuration (fixed arms, standard tilt, no lumbar support) costs $1275. The most expensive (mineral + aluminum frame + all extras) costs $2340.

Aeron Gaming vs Remastered Edition
L-R: Aeron Gaming; Graphite Aeron Remastered with Lumbar Pad and Standard Tilt.

A gaming edition is also available in medium and large sizes, fully loaded, and kitted with Posturefit units.

Aeron Remastered from Herman Miller $1275-$2340

The Aeron Gaming Edition is also available from Herman Miller (preconfigured) for $1805.

Size Options

The most important choice when buying an Aeron Remastered chair is the size. I stand 5’9″. Based on Aeron size ratings, both the Size A and B models are a potential fit for my size.

Aeron Remastered chair sizes

Aeron Size A Size B Size C
Seat 25.75″ (W) x 16″ (D) 27″ (W) x 16.75″ (D) 28.25″ (W) x 18.5″ (D)
Backrest 20.25″(W) x 21″ (H) 21.5″ (W) x 22″ (H) 22.75″(W) x 23″ (H)
Seat Height 14.75″ to 19″ 16″ to 20.4″ 16″ to 20.5″
Size Rating 4’10” to 5’9″; 300 pounds 5’2″ to 6’6″; up to 350 pounds 5’2″ to 6’6″; up to 350 pounds

Pick Either; Rely On Suspension Mesh

Buying a Herman Miller Aeron chair means running through a gauntlet of choices. Luckily, even if you make the wrong lumbar support choice, you’re still guaranteed 12+ years of world-class comfort.

Man sitting in Aeron chairs to test Posturefit vs sliding lumbar pad support types
L-R: depth-adjustable Posturefit; height-adjustable lumbar pad (recommended).

Get your head around the idea of the Aeron as a mesh suspension chair. Even without any lumbar support, it’s easy to maintain good posture in this chair.

Even so, I find Posturefit unsatisfying. It delivers a weird fit that doesn’t seem to provide any significant support. Meanwhile, the sliding lumbar’s tendency to pop off is frustrating.

But once you learn how to treat it gingerly, it works a treat. Slide the unit slightly above your beltline and let the suspension mesh handle the rest.

That makes the height-adjustable lumbar a solid choice for all first-time Aeron chair buyers.

Aeron Remastered Review: Best Mesh Ergo Chair

Buy the Aeron for $1275-$2340 directly from the official Herman Miller Store.

Footnotes

  1. Google Reddit Search String. ‘aeron lumbar pad pops out site:www.reddit.com’. Search query: aeron lumbar pad pops out site:www.reddit.com, (accessed 4 April 2023).
  2. Why Magazine Editors. ‘Design Q & A: Bill Stumpf’. Why Magazine https://www.hermanmiller.com/stories/why-magazine/design-q-and-a-bill-stumpf/, (accessed 4 April 2023).
  3. Curt Wozniak, ‘A Driver For Change’. Why Magazine https://www.hermanmiller.com/stories/why-magazine/a-driver-for-change/, (accessed 4 April 2023).
  4. Dr. Brock Walker. ‘Innovations in Driver Performance and Safety’. Contributions to Motorsports. https://www.drbrockwalker.com/about/collaborations-innovations/contributions-to-motorsports.html, (accessed 4 April 2023).

Anil Ramsey

Anil Ramsey

I'm the ChairsFX founder and Chief Editor. I'm a member of the OSHA Education Center Association (OECA), with an OSHA Ergonomics Certification. Beyond these credentials, I've been hands-on testing the world's finest ergonomic desk chairs since 2018. Learn more about me and this website on the About Us page.


 

Table of Contents

  1. Aeron Posturefit vs Lumbar Pad
    1. Aeron Concept: Balanced Suspension
    2. Posturefit Pros and Cons
    3. Lumbar Pad Pros and Cons
  2. Aeron Remastered Build Options
  3. Pick Either; Rely On Suspension Mesh

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