Soft Pad vs Ribbed Office Chair: Which is Best for Long Hours?

Choose Soft Pad (from £349) for thicker, all-day cushioning and a warmer, executive look; choose Ribbed (from £325) for a slimmer, firmer seat and a sleek, minimalist profile. Both share chrome-plated aluminium frames, an aluminium five-star swivel base and a 2-year warranty.

The real difference is the cushion

Our soft pad office chairs use separate padded cushions in Italian aniline leather, filled with high-resilience foam. The listing describes them as noticeably thicker than the thin-pad models. Our ribbed office chairs use a single suspended panel that runs continuously from seat to backrest, finished with stitched horizontal ribbing over high-resilience urethane foam.

The frames, adjustment range and arm geometry are otherwise the same family. So the question is really how you like to sit.

Side by side

All figures are from each product's live specification table. The ribbed collection also includes the EA119 thin pad high-back chair at £375.

Which suits long hours?

Soft Pad if you sit for six-plus hours and like to sink slightly into the chair. The thicker cushion spreads pressure, and the EA219's high back adds shoulder and upper-back support.

Ribbed if you prefer a firmer, more upright sit, or you move in and out of the chair all day. The suspended panel holds its shape and the low profile tucks neatly under a desk.

The honest caveat: neither listing offers adjustable lumbar support or adjustable arms. HSE guidance for desk work is to set seat height so your feet sit flat and your forearms are level with the desk, with the small of your back supported. Both chairs adjust between 48 and 57 cm, so measure your desk before ordering. If you need adjustable lumbar, look at the mesh range instead.

Frequently asked questions

Is a soft pad office chair more comfortable than a ribbed one?

For long, seated sessions most people find the thicker soft pad cushion more forgiving. Ribbed suits people who prefer a firmer, more upright sit.

What is the price difference between Soft Pad and Ribbed?

Ribbed starts at £325 and Soft Pad at £349, with the high-back Soft Pad EA219 at £365.

Do both chairs have the same base?

Yes. Both use an aluminium five-star base on castors with a full 360° swivel, on a chrome-plated aluminium frame.

What seat height do the chairs adjust to?

Every chair in both ranges has a gas-lift seat height of 48–57 cm.

Is there a high-back version of each?

Yes. The Soft Pad EA219 is the high-back soft pad chair, and the ribbed collection includes the EA119 thin pad high-back chair.

What warranty comes with the chairs?

All of them carry a 2-year manufacturer's warranty, with free UK delivery and a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Sources

Health and Safety Executive, Working safely with display screen equipment, on seat height, back support and workstation posture.

Written by Kamil, Product Curator at Habitat Furnishes. Kamil checks every supplier listing against its spec sheet and answers customer questions about materials and dimensions personally. Last reviewed: 1 October 2026.

Habitat Furnishes sells Eames style, inspired-by furniture and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Herman Miller, Vitra or the Eames Office.