Steelcase Leap V1 vs. V2

If you are in the market for a new office chair but aren’t sure what to go for, you may need a hand in deciding which chair is for you.

There can also be versions of the same model of chair that make things more confusing.

If you find yourself torn between two versions of the same model of chair, this guide is for you.

The Steelcase brand is a leading manufacturer when it comes to ergonomic office chairs. So, it comes as no surprise that two of their chairs would be hard to choose from. But this is where we will help you to differentiate between the two versions.

In this article, we will be comparing two chairs from Steelcase’s Leap collection. We will break down categories that are important in an office chair and the delve into which version of the chair is better in which category, eventually finding an overall winner.

The Chairs

Steelcase Leap V1 High Back Office Chair

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Steelcase Leap V2

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The Brand

Steelcase is a company that has been delivering quality in architectures, furniture and technology. Their aim is to help people reach their full capabilities using their products.

They are passionate about protecting the environment, so all of their products give information about the eco consciousness of their materials etc. They claim to always aim to do what is bst for the people, their customers, and for the planet.

They were established in 1912 under the name the Metal Office Furniture Company. They began being known as Steelcase Inc. in 1954 after branching out into more and more types of office furniture.

The company’s website is full of information about the brand, they are set on being a company that encourages respect between colleagues. And their aim is that their office furniture will create the same environment in offices around the world that they value.

They have a powerful message of both community while at work, and protection of the planet wherever possible. This makes them a likeable company and a brand that people are likely to feel comfortable and confident buying from.

Categories

This is the section where we will break each category into its own section and compare the two chairs based on each category.

Aesthetics

Leap V1

The V1 Leap chair has a classic curved backrest that is common in older office chairs. This gives the chair a dated and mainstream aesthetic. The backrest and seat are two separate parts that come together in a modular way.

The armrests are bulky and attached to the mane exterior frame of the body. This exterior frame forms a shell around the back of the chair. This area changes shape when you are sitting in the chair to cushion and support your spine.

Leap V2

The V2 of the Leap office chair from Steelcase has a much more modern look. The main difference is that the backrest is far higher than the V1, and has a squarer top shape compared to the rounded dated look of the V1.

The armrests are also different on the V2, they are more elongated and less bulky in comparison to the rest of the chair.

Ergonomics

Leap V1

The shell-like back exterior of the Steelcase Leap V1 is the home of the Live Back technology. This is a panel made from a hard material with slits in it resembling a ribcage or spine.

When you sit in the chai and adjust the lumbar support, the shape of this shell will change thanks to the design.

Leap V2

The second version of the Leap also has Live Back technology. But since the backrest is taller and a better shape, the technology has more space to actually work. This technology acts as a lumbar support system.

The larger backrest also means that you are supported the whole way up your spine and not just the lower half. This makes the Leap V2 a lot more ergonomically designed than the V1.

Adjustability

Both the V1 and the V2 can be adjusted in the same way since they follow Steelcase’s standard for adjustability.

You can change the height of the chairs using the lever to operate the gas lift mechanism. This enables the natural glide system for a smoother height adjustment. You can also tilt the backrest back.

The armrests are adjustable in four different ways: you can change the height, depth, pivot and angle, just by pulling the armrests gently.

The Live Back lumbar technology is also adjustable, you can slide a bar along the back of the chair in order to alter the position of the lumbar support. This customizes your chair to fit you. And also, since you can change it whenever you feel like it, you can alter it to fit your body as it changes day to day.

Customizable Options

Leap V1

Since the Leap V1 isn’t as in demand anymore, places to buy them are dwindling. Because of this, there are hardly any color options as most of the seller are selling them as-is. This is because the Steelcase Leap V1 is the older version of this chair.

So it is basically impossible to customize this version of the chair anymore, since you can only buy it from Amazon as an older version of the chair that we can see on Steelcase’s website today.

Leap V2

The Steelcase Leap V2 is the most recent and up to date version of this chair. Because of this, there are more color options and features that you can change, as the manufacturer are still offering the customizable feature.

Steelcase offer nine different color options for the fabric upholstery of the Leap V2. This is a very wide selection of color choices for an office chair. You can also choose from three frame and base color options in order to complement the color you have chosen for your upholstery.

This also means you can make a statement with your office chair and break away from the boring, overdone black or grey color combination that just makes an office look dull.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may have some questions after reading all of the information we have provided on the Steelcase Leap chairs.

So, we have compiled some frequently asked questions that we think are likely to come up when office chairs are under the microscope.

We have answered them based on research, so that you don’t have to do any research yourself.

Why are their two versions of the Steelcase Leap office chair?

Steelcase, as a brand, is always looking for new innovated designs. When they first came out with the Leap V1, the market needed something like it. once that design became dated, the brand rethought the design and came up with the Steelcase Leap V2.

The Leap V2 is much sleeker and more elegant looking with a sharper shape and more color options to choose from. Although much of the adjustable features have stayed the same between the V1 and the V2, this only shows how good the Steelcase ergonomic Live Back system is. Especially when you are spending hours sitting at your desk.

Essentially, the Steelcase Leap V2 has come to replace the V1. Not because the V1 was inadequate, but because the V2 is just the pinnacle of Steelcase’s ergonomic design.

What does it mean to be eco conscious with an office chair?

One of Steelcase’s desires is to be able to protect the environment wherever and whenever they can. So, they set out to try and make eco conscious chairs. On their website, there is a Sustainability section for each chair’s page. This section goes into all of the different eco conscious stats.

There are no stats on the Leap V1, but the V2 is up to 94% recyclable by weight, and mad up of up to 35% recycled content.

This brand is perfect for the people that are trying to make more sustainable and conscious choices.

Overall Thoughts

Since the Steelcase V1 is no longer actually on the Steelcase website and can only be bought from sellers on Amazon, the Leap V2 is the clear winner.

If you want an office chair that you can add your own personal flair to by customizing the color of the upholstery and the framework, this is the chair for you.

The Steelcase Leap V2 is adjustable in so many useful ways: the classic are covered with the height adjustment and the tilt of the backrest. But the Live Back lumbar support is specific to Steelcase chairs, and the armrests are adjustable in multiple different ways for comfort throughout the busy workday.

Having ready this guide to the differences between the Leap V1 and V2, we hope it has made more clear which one would be more suitable for your work/office needs.

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