The $800 Contradiction: Deconstructing the "Genius" and "Nightmare" of the Varier ThatSit

Peter Opsvik is a legend in the world of ergonomic design. His philosophy of “active sitting”—the idea that “the next position is always the best”—is a direct rebellion against the static, “one-size-fits-all” office chair. His original 1979 Variable Balans (the backless kneeling chair) is an icon.

The Varier ThatSit (ASIN B0BBSK7WYM) is its evolution. It’s the “all-day” version, an $800+ chair “designed for seamless transitions,” adding an adjustable backrest and adjustable kneepads to the classic rocking base.

In theory, this should be the perfect chair. In reality, it’s a 3.2-star product, making it one of the most controversial and contradictory pieces of high-end furniture on the market. This is a deconstruction of that contradiction: the “genius” of its design vs. the “nightmare” of its execution.

The “Genius”: A 10-Star Philosophy

The “genius” of the ThatSit is not just hype; it’s real-world biomechanics. For some users, this chair is, as Jordan Curry (5-star review) described it, “priceless” and “10 stars out of five.”

• Active Sitting: The “curved runners” (the rocking base) are “proprioception activators.” They force your core muscles to make constant, tiny adjustments to find balance, turning sitting from a passive act (slouching) into an active one.
• Open-Angle Posture: The sloped seat tilts your pelvis forward, allowing your spine to maintain its natural, healthy “S-curve.”
• All-Day Comfort: This is where the Thatsit evolves from the Variable. The adjustable backrest and adjustable kneepads make it viable for “9-10 hours” of daily use (Jordan Curry). The backrest isn’t a “crutch” to slouch on; it’s a “destination” for active rest, allowing you to lean back and open your chest.

For users who “get it,” the results are profound. Jordan Curry reports, “At the end of the day I realize I feel great. I have no aches and pains and feel much more alert.” This is the chair’s promise.

The “Nightmare”: The 3.2-Star Reality

So why the 3.2-star rating? Because for a significant number of users, the execution fails to match the philosophy. The negative reviews cluster around two devastating, high-intent pain points.

1. The “2-Hour Nightmare” Assembly
Keyword data (from retained cabinetrydir.com knowledge) confirms that “assembly” is a universal consumer dread. The ThatSit, for many, is the prime example of this nightmare. * Jason Merkel (3-star): “Nightmare install!… by far the worst assembly I’ve ever been thru! …if you don’t want to wrestle the chair for 2 hours then just pick something else.” * Carol C (2-star): “Terrible directions… when I was finished after 2 hours I had a remaining part that I had missed… Then there were these little pointed things that went into holes… kept falling out. Finally I put some wood glue in to hold them.” * Hammer (1-star): “Hard to put together.“

2. The “$800 Value” & Durability Debate
The assembly is a one-time pain. The perceived value and durability are long-term problems. * Hammer (1-star): “Broke after 4 months.… fragile and overpriced. Do not buy this chair – choose a cheaper alternative!!” * Amazon Customer (4-star, after upgrading his review): “absolutely NOT worth $800+… the seat padding is NOT sufficient… I think this company… [is] exploiting our pain/desperation.”

The Data Error: A Note on Weight Limit

To add to the confusion, the product page lists a Maximum Weight Recommendation: 28 Pounds. This is an obvious and absurd data-entry error. The chair itself weighs 19.71 pounds. User Amazon Customer notes they weigh 190 lbs. The chair is engineered from laminated wood to support a full-grown adult. This “28 Pounds” spec should be completely ignored.

Conclusion: A “High-Risk, High-Reward” Investment

The Varier ThatSit (ASIN B0BBSK7WYM) is one of the most polarizing products in ergonomics. It is a chair of two extremes.

It represents the genius of Peter Opsvik’s active sitting philosophy, and for some (like Jordan Curry), it is a “priceless,” life-changing tool for eliminating back pain.

However, this genius is undermined by a user experience plagued by “nightmare” 2-hour assemblies, “terrible” instructions, and, for some, a “fragile” build that “broke after 4 months.” It is a “high-risk, high-reward” $800+ investment.