I bought the Fennington high back chair because the pictures made it look like something from a spaceship, and I didn't check the cylinder height. Big mistake. The seat sat so high that my elbows were level with my keyboard tray, and my shoulders were doing a shrug that lasted two weeks. The chair itself is fine — it's the measurements that'll get you.
Here's the thing about the Fennington high back: it's made for someone taller than the average person, or for a desk that's higher than the standard 29–30 inches. My desk is 28.5 inches, and the seat bottom at its lowest is about 21 inches. That's nearly a foot of drop from seat to floor, and my feet dangled like a kid at a bar. If you're 5'10" or shorter, you'll be on tiptoes unless you have a footrest. I finally put a wooden crate under my desk, and it's ugly but functional.
What I Checked Before Re-Buying
Before you hit order, grab a tape measure and do this:
- Seat height range: write down the minimum and maximum. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor when your feet are flat.
- Backrest height: the Fennington's back is tall — about 28 inches from the seat. If you have a low-back chair issue, that's a good thing. But if your room has a low window sill behind the desk, the backrest can block the light.
- Seat depth: it's about 20 inches deep, which is great if you're 6 feet tall. For me, the front edge pressed behind my knees. I had to add a lumbar pillow to push me back.
The model I got has adjustable arms that swing in and out — cool in theory, but they're only height-adjustable if you're willing to unscrew a bolt. Not a big deal, but it's not a quick lever like on a Gesture Chair: The 12-Inch Rule That Saved My Lower Back.
The Fix That Made It Work
I ended up ordering a taller desk (30.5 inches) and a gas cylinder with a shorter range. The Fennington's own cylinder can be swapped out — it's a standard size — but here's the catch: replacing it voids the warranty, and the cylinder costs like $60. Do the math before you commit.
If you're on a budget and just want a chair that works, look at something with a lower seat height range, like the Big and Tall Office Chair 500 lbs: First-Week Setup and the One — I tried that one in a store and the seat sits lower, even if it's a different style. Or if you're shorter, a chair with a smaller back might be more proportionate.
For me, the Fennington high back is now my main chair, but only because I invested in the right desk and a footrest. If you're average height with a standard desk, skip it — you'll be fighting the height every day. If you're tall and already have a high desk, this chair is solid: the mesh is supportive, the recline is smooth, and the back is genuinely high. It just demands that you measure first.
If you're still torn between looks and fit, read how I messed up with the Eurotech Vera Chair: I Bought It for Looks and Nearly Sent It Back — same kind of story. Or check out more options in office chairs before you commit.