Main trade-off
Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
This selected listing excludes the optional lumbar insert and does not establish included forward tilt or a headrest.
Head-to-head
Haworth Fern vs Soji: Fern reaches a shorter seat depth, Soji extends farther
The short answer
Fern offers a flexible suspended back and a shorter minimum seat depth. Soji reaches farther at maximum depth and offers a more conventional task-chair layout.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Fern offers half an inch more seat travel
Its three-inch slide spans more adjustment than Soji 2.5-inch slide.
What this is based on
18.5 minus 15.5 equals 3. 18.75 minus 16.25 equals 2.5. Difference is 0.5 inch.
Main trade-off
Haworth Soji
The seat is firm and the lumbar pad can feel direct, especially before its height is set correctly.
Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- Choose it for
- You want the flexible Fern back without an added lumbar insert.
- You need the shorter seat setting or narrower minimum arm spacing.
- Main trade-off
- This selected listing excludes the optional lumbar insert and does not establish included forward tilt or a headrest.
Haworth Soji
- Choose it for
- You prefer the Soji support shape and a slightly longer maximum seat depth.
- A conventional mesh-back task chair covers your needs.
- Main trade-off
- The seat is firm and the lumbar pad can feel direct, especially before its height is set correctly.
About this comparison
Compare the no-lumbar Fern mesh configuration and Soji on seat depth, arm spacing and back support, with optional controls kept out of the verdict.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Need shorter seat depth
Fern starts 0.75 inch shorter.
- Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- Better fit
- Haworth Soji
- Good
Need arms close to the torso
Fern minimum arm spacing is two inches narrower.
- Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- Better fit
- Haworth Soji
- Good
Prefer a separate lumbar pad
Selected Fern excludes the optional insert.
- Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- Caution
- Haworth Soji
- Better fit
Want no assembly
Both selected chairs arrive assembled.
- Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- Good
- Haworth Soji
- Good
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Fern offers half an inch more seat travel
Its three-inch slide spans more adjustment than Soji 2.5-inch slide.
How we reached this conclusion
18.5 minus 15.5 equals 3. 18.75 minus 16.25 equals 2.5. Difference is 0.5 inch.
Short-thigh fit differs more than minimum height
Fern minimum depth is 0.75 inch shorter while minimum heights differ only 0.1 inch.
How we reached this conclusion
16.25 minus 15.5 equals 0.75. 16.5 minus 16.4 equals 0.1.
The larger chair can bring arms closer
Fern overall width is greater yet minimum inside arm spacing is two inches narrower.
How we reached this conclusion
29 minus 28 equals 1 inch more overall width. 17.1 minus 15.1 equals 2 inches less minimum arm spacing.
Choice A
Haworth, HW-FERN, Silver Leaf, no lumbar
Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
A flexible mesh-back chair with adjustable seat depth, 4D arms and manual tilt tension, selected without the optional lumbar insert.
- Best matched use
- A buyer who wants a flexible back and dislikes a separate prominent lumbar pad
Checked facts
- The selected Amazon listing documents 4D arms, adjustable seat depth and tilt tension.
- Haworth gives a 15.5 to 18.5 inch seat-depth range and 16.5 to 21.5 inch seat-height range.
- The selected configuration is rated to 350 pounds and arrives assembled.
- The chair uses a mesh back and upholstered seat, not a mesh seat.
Choice B
Haworth, Mist
Soji
A straightforward commercial task chair with seat-depth control, synchronized tilt and a supportive foam seat.
- Best matched use
- A durable, easily adjusted chair for shared or home offices
Checked facts
- Synchronized tilt includes an upright back lock
- The seat uses a waterfall edge and adjustable depth
- Haworth lists GREENGUARD Gold, BIFMA compliance and North American manufacturing
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar | Haworth Soji | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back support | Flexible Wave Suspension, selected without optional lumbar insert | Mesh back with lumbar-equipped catalog setup | The contact and flex differ even though both have mesh backs. |
| Seat depth | 15.5 to 18.5 inches | 16.25 to 18.75 inches | Fern starts shorter, Soji extends slightly longer. |
| Seat height | 16.5 to 21.5 inches | 16.4 to 21 inches | Minimum heights are close, Fern reaches higher. |
| Between-arm range | 15.1 to 19.8 inches | 17.1 to 20.1 inches | Fern brings arms closer together. |
| Overall width | 29 inches | 28 inches | Fern needs a slightly wider parking space. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
- The exact Amazon variation has a small review sample.
If you choose Haworth Soji
- The exact Mist Amazon page had limited offer availability when checked, though Haworth still sells Soji directly.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You want separate lower-back firmness adjustment
Choose neither. Leap gives a dedicated firmness control in addition to seat and recline settings.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
For a narrower torso
Fern arm range is useful if your elbows otherwise drift outward to reach the pads. Overall chair width does not reveal this. Try the arms with your keyboard and mouse positioned normally, then check that the base still fits under the desk.
For a lumbar-pad preference
This Fern deliberately excludes the optional insert. Its flexible back still supports the body, but it will not give the same distinct pad contact as the catalog Soji setup. Buyers who dislike a strong pad should test this precise configuration rather than any Fern in a showroom.
For longer thighs
Soji extends a quarter inch farther at maximum depth. Fern shorter minimum is more useful at the opposite end of the fit range. Neither small difference proves comfort, but it tells you which endpoint to test during a return period.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- This comparison uses published controls and dimensions, without hands-on comfort or durability testing.
- No chair is presented as treatment for pain. Optional features are not assumed included.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current office chairs comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
Only 1 of 32 models checked match every need here: “Firm lumbar pads bother me”, “I need the seat depth to fit my legs”, “My keyboard and devices need flexible arm support”, and “I want airflow across my back”.
1 matching model from 32 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Firm lumbar pads bother me”, “I need the seat depth to fit my legs”, “My keyboard and devices need flexible arm support”, and “I want airflow across my back”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar |
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| Haworth Soji |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Haworth Fern Mesh, Silver Leaf without Optional Lumbar
You want the flexible Fern back without an added lumbar insert.
See price & reviews on AmazonHaworth Soji
You prefer the Soji support shape and a slightly longer maximum seat depth.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.