The catch
Steelcase Leap
A padded back traps more heat than full mesh does, and for some users the seat starts to feel firm after several hours.
Side by side
Steelcase Leap vs Haworth Soji: Leap sits lower and has its own back-firmness adjustment
Quick verdict
Leap is the choice when you want separate back-firmness control or need a lower standard seat. Soji is the choice when you prefer a mesh back over a foam seat and its simpler recline setup already suits you. Seat-depth adjustment is useful on both. Leap's extra controls make sense when you will use them, and not just because there are more of them.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Leap gains depth adjustment at the short end but no longer seat
Leap's usable depth travel is three inches, against 2.5 inches for Soji, and both end at 18.75 inches.
Where this comes from
For Leap, 18.75 - 15.75 = 3. For Soji, 18.75 - 16.25 = 2.5. The additional 0.5 inch is at the minimum end.
The catch
Haworth Soji
A firm seat and a lumbar pad that can feel direct take getting used to, especially until its height is right.
Steelcase Leap
- Why pick it
- Lower-back firmness should be tunable on its own
- Your standard seat has to go below 16.4 inches
- The catch
- A padded back traps more heat than full mesh does, and for some users the seat starts to feel firm after several hours.
Haworth Soji
- Why pick it
- You like an open mesh back
- Your needs are covered by a seat slider, 4D arms and basic recline controls
- The catch
- A firm seat and a lumbar pad that can feel direct take getting used to, especially until its height is right.
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What this page compares
Back-firmness controls, minimum seat height and seat-depth range are compared here for Leap and Soji, along with the exact Soji package linked on Amazon.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
A 16-inch seat height is what I need
Soji's standard range begins at 16.4 inches.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Haworth Soji
- Caution
I want to dial in lower-back firmness
In addition to moving the lumbar position, Leap has a separate firmness control.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Haworth Soji
- Good
I like an open mesh back
Soji has a mesh back, where Leap's back is upholstered.
- Steelcase Leap
- Good
- Haworth Soji
- Better fit
I need usable seat depth of 19 inches or more
The cited ranges both end at 18.75 inches, so verify the fit before you buy.
- Steelcase Leap
- Caution
- Haworth Soji
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
Leap gains depth adjustment at the short end but no longer seat
Leap's usable depth travel is three inches, against 2.5 inches for Soji, and both end at 18.75 inches.
How we worked this out
For Leap, 18.75 - 15.75 = 3. For Soji, 18.75 - 16.25 = 2.5. The additional 0.5 inch is at the minimum end.
Standard Leap suits a 16-inch seat-height target
That height is within Leap's range, and standard Soji starts 0.4 inch above it.
How we worked this out
16 falls inside [15.5, 20.5] and outside [16.4, 21]. Check optional cylinders and seat compression separately.
On these figures, neither meets a 19-inch usable-depth requirement
The 18.75-inch maximum they share falls short of that target.
How we worked this out
19 - 18.75 = 0.25 inch. Take it as a reason to verify fit. A quarter-inch measurement does not support a comfort claim.
Option A
Steelcase, Grey Fabric
Leap
Cushioned and highly adjustable, with a flexible back, lower-back firmness set separately and a fit range with a proven all-day record.
- Best for
- The lowest-risk premium pick for all-day sitting with adjustable lumbar support
Facts we checked
- When the user shifts posture, LiveBack flexes with them
- Each of lower-back firmness and seat depth gets its own control
- Steelcase warranty terms extend to 12 years for key components, and the standard chair supports up to 400 lb
Option B
Haworth, Mist
Soji
This commercial task chair keeps things simple, with seat-depth control, synchronized tilt and a foam seat that supports well.
- Best for
- Shared or home offices that need a durable chair that is easy to adjust
Facts we checked
- An upright back lock is part of the synchronized tilt
- Adjustable depth and a waterfall edge feature on the seat
- North American manufacturing, BIFMA compliance and GREENGUARD Gold are all listed by Haworth
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Steelcase Leap | Haworth Soji | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard seat height | 15.5 to 20.5 inches | 16.4 to 21 inches | Leap goes 0.9 inch lower, and Soji goes 0.5 inch higher. |
| Functional seat depth | 15.75 to 18.75 inches | 16.25 to 18.75 inches | Their stated longest depth is the same, but Leap gets shorter. |
| Back support tuning | Separate lower-back firmness control | Adjustable lumbar position | Decide between pressure tuning and a simpler lumbar pad you position. |
| Back surface | Upholstered flexible back | Mesh back | Your preference in materials may count for more than the nominal number of adjustments. |
| Recline stops | Four stops plus upright lock | Upright back lock and tension control | Leap has more stopping positions in between. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Steelcase Leap
- The specific Grey Fabric listing on Amazon might come from a third-party seller, so confirm the chair is new and that warranty eligibility holds.
With Haworth Soji
- When checked, the Mist listing on Amazon had few offers available, but Haworth still sells Soji direct.
Decision guide
How to decide
Leap earns its place when lower height or back-firmness tuning fixes a problem you already know about. If not, Soji may cover the essentials.
The low end of the range often matters more than the high end
At the low end, Leap's standard seat starts at 15.5 inches and Soji's at 16.4 inches. That 0.9-inch gap can matter if you are trying to keep your feet supported at a fixed desk. At the other end Soji reaches slightly higher. Start by measuring the height you work at, and do not let a broad petite or tall label make the whole decision.
The stated maximum seat depth is the same on both
In this pair, a longer maximum depth is no reason to pick Leap. The cited US specifications put both at 18.75 inches. Leap's extra half-inch of travel sits at the short end. If you need a 19-inch usable seat, do not assume that the more adjustable or more expensive model meets the requirement.
Tuning back firmness is not the same as moving a lumbar pad
On Soji you position the lumbar support, and Leap adds a way to tune lower-back firmness. If fixed support regularly feels too firm or too soft to you, that separate control has a clear purpose. If you already like a mesh back and rarely change your recline position, Soji's simpler controls may be enough. Try the contact for yourself, and do not treat either system as a treatment for back pain.
What this page can’t tell you
- Each manufacturer's published measurements supply the seat-depth figures, and a tape measure at home may give slightly different numbers. Nothing here guarantees a comfort or medical outcome.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the office chairs we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 3 of the 32 models checked meet every need here: “Most of my workday is spent sitting”, “I need lower-back support I can adjust”, and “The seat depth has to fit my legs”.
3 models fit, out of 32 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Most of my workday is spent sitting”, “I need lower-back support I can adjust”, and “The seat depth has to fit my legs”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelcase Leap |
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| Haworth Soji |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Steelcase Leap
Lower-back firmness should be tunable on its own
See price & reviews on AmazonHaworth Soji
You like an open mesh back
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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