Softer isn’t always better. Here’s why you really want a firmer seat.
Today, we’re often asked how our gaming chairs feel. As it turns out, a lot of people associate comfort with softness. The feeling of sinking into a supremely plush cushion that envelops your body. Marshmallow softness that hugs you. Consumers have been led to believe that the softer a gaming seat, the more comfortable it is. But that’s simply not true.
Pressure mapping sensors allow us to optimize for even weight distribution.
When we started Secretlab, one of our goals was to change that perception. We couldn’t find a foam on the market with the right firmness and density to meet our needs. So we set to work creating our own cold-cure foam that could properly support your back throughout years of daily use.
With the help of advanced pressure mapping sensors, foam density tests, and users in our design lab, we formulated a high-density cold-cure foam mix with a firmness level that works for the vast majority of our users. It’s the closest we’ve come to universal comfort.
Taking foam density measurements.
Our patent-pending cold-cure foam mix has been engineered to be medium-firm, offering the perfect blend of comfort and support. Think of it as the Goldilocks of cushioning. Not too hard, not too soft. Just right. And it’ll feel even better over time, molding to your body while maintaining its supportive feel.
Cheaper foam formulations are less dense, coming in at less than 50kg/m³. They do not hold their form after extended periods of sitting, leading to less support and poor posture over time.
That’s why we use a significantly higher density foam at up to 65kg/m³. It retains its structure even after long hours, providing consistent support for the right posture.
Our foam is also cast from precise aluminum molds, giving us full control over every angle and curve for superior ergonomic support. Sculpted for even weight distribution in all directions, our cold-cure foam mix gently cradles your back and relieves pressure. It has just the right amount of give, providing all the support and comfort you need to stay focused throughout the day — the best of both worlds.
Why is a soft seat bad for you?
Short-term comfort could mean long-term back pain
In comparison, an excessively soft seat can lead to poorer posture. The softer consistency lacks the structure to support the curve of your back. It can restrict movement as well, decreasing circulation and blood flow. If a seat is too soft, stress is also transferred to the soft tissues of your thighs and buttocks, which causes tissue ischemia, discomfort, and eventually pain.
Over time, you’ll find yourself slouching in your seat as your spine bends from its natural “S” shape into a “C”. A soft seat also makes it harder for your body to relax, because your muscles tense up in an effort to hold yourself up. This translates into a stiff neck and shoulders after long hours.
A reasonably stiff sitting surface is required to allow your ischial tuberosity, or sitting bones, to properly bear the load of sitting, said Dr. Stuart McGill, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo.
Sitting puts up to three times more pressure on the discs at the base of your spine than standing does, so it’s imperative that your seat be able to relieve some of that stress.
The Secretlab TITAN Evo proprietary pebble seat base is shaped for pressure relief and layered with a generous layer of our patent-pending cold-cure foam mix. We design our gaming seats with the most demanding users in mind, many of whom spend over 12 hours a day seated. You’ll know it when you sit down — nothing quite feels like a Secretlab chair.
But we know the feeling of comfort can be subjective. If you’re more used to a soft and ultra-plush seat, your body may need some time to get used to the feel of a firmer chair. Your back will thank you in the long run though — Secretlab cold-cure foam retains its firmness and integrity even after years of use, so you can always rely on the right support for your posture.
Discover the Secretlab TITAN Evo today. Now available in Small, Regular, and XL.
