Kneeling and saddle chairs: who they suit and which to buy
Both open up the angle between your trunk and thighs. Neither has good evidence of fixing back pain. Here is what they are actually good for.
Updated By The Best Office Chairs Europe editorial team8 sources
Kneeling chairs (such as Varier's Variable, designed by Peter Opsvik in 1979) tilt you forward onto shin rests; saddle chairs (such as the HÅG Capisco) put you on a high saddle with your feet on the floor. Systematic reviews have found no good evidence that either reduces back pain.
They suit people who want to vary their posture, and the Capisco also suits high desks.
How do kneeling and saddle chairs differ?
| Kneeling chair | Saddle chair | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Forward-tilted, fixed height (Varier: 500–510 mm) | Saddle-shaped, on a gas lift |
| Legs | Shins take part of the load | Feet on the floor or a ring |
| Backrest | Usually none | Capisco: yes, adjustable in height |
| Desk height | Standard desks | Standard to standing height |
| EN 1335 | Not a task chair; not declared | Capisco declares EN 1335 (2020) Type A and Ax |
What does the evidence say?
- Curran et al., 2015 (systematic review, Human Factors): "no evidence that chairs involving less hip flexion reduce LBP or LBD" (low back pain or discomfort), but "moderate evidence that chair backrests reduce" back-muscle activity.
- Channak et al., 2022 (systematic review, International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics) concluded that chair interventions in general "are not recommended" to reduce low back pain or discomfort, on very low to low quality evidence.
- EU-OSHA (2021) stresses that "our next posture is the best posture": varying how you sit, and getting up every 20–30 minutes, matters more than any single position. It advises against long periods on exercise balls.
None of this says these chairs are bad. It says they are a posture option, not a treatment. If you have back pain, see a clinician; our guide on choosing a chair when you have back pain covers what to look for.
The models with published specs
| Chair | Type | Seat height | Max. user | Warranty | Made in | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varier Variable (balans) | kneeling | 500 mm | 110 kg | 10 yr | Poland | €379 (EU-EUR) |
| Varier Thatsit (balans) | kneeling | 510 mm | 110 kg | 10 yr | Poland | – |
| Varier Move | stool | 560–820 mm | 110 kg | 10 yr | Poland | €599 (EU-EUR) |
| HÅG Capisco 8106 | saddle | 460–640 mm | 110 kg | 10 yr | Norway | – |
HÅG does not publish prices for the Capisco (its store shows "Ask for price"). Varier's 10-year warranty covers wooden and polypropylene parts of registered chairs.
Using one well
- Alternate with a conventional task chair or standing, rather than replacing it outright, unless you know the posture suits you.
- Check the fixed seat height of a kneeling chair against your desk: at 500–510 mm, it suits most standard desks for average heights, but not all.
- For a saddle chair at a sit-stand desk, check the gas-lift options: HÅG lists Capisco lifts from 150 mm to 265 mm, giving seat heights up to 810 mm.
Questions buyers ask
Is a kneeling chair better for your back?
The evidence does not show that. A 2015 systematic review (Curran et al., Human Factors) found no evidence that chairs involving less hip flexion, the principle behind kneeling and saddle seats, reduce low back pain or discomfort. Official advice from EU-OSHA and the UK HSE focuses on adjusting your seat, supporting your lower back and changing position often.
What is the difference between a kneeling chair and a saddle chair?
A kneeling chair tilts the seat forward and takes some weight on shin rests, usually with no backrest; Varier’s Variable and Thatsit are examples. A saddle chair is a high, saddle-shaped seat on a gas lift that opens the hip angle while your feet stay on the floor; the HÅG Capisco is the best-known, and it has a backrest and EN 1335 declarations.
Sources
- Varier Variable (balans): manufacturer page: www.varierfurniture.com/en/variable/10001012201412
- Varier Thatsit (balans): manufacturer page: www.varierfurniture.com/en/thatsit/12501012221012
- Varier Move: manufacturer page: www.varierfurniture.com/en/move/26001112131111110
- HÅG Capisco 8106: manufacturer page: store.flokk.com/global/en-gb/products/hag-capisco
- Curran et al. 2015, Human Factors 57(7):1115-48 (doi): doi.org/10.1177/0018720815591905
- Channak et al. 2022, Int J Occup Saf Ergon (doi): doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.1928379
- EU-OSHA: Prolonged static sitting at work (2021, PDF): osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2022-04/Prolonged_static_sitting_at_work.pdf
- HSE: good posture: www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/good-posture.htm
All sources checked 20 October 2026. Where a manufacturer does not publish a value, we say so rather than estimate it.
Cite this page
Best Office Chairs Europe, “Kneeling and saddle chairs: who they suit and which to buy”, https://bestofficechairs.eu/guides/kneeling-and-saddle-chairs/, updated .