Realspace Calusa Mesh Mid Back Chair

How I Landed on the Realspace Calusa Mesh Mid Back Chair

Hey everyone! I wanted to share my recent experience searching for a new office chair. As someone who works from home and spends countless hours at my desk, having a comfortable and supportive chair is essential for productivity and preventing back pain. I was in the market for an upgrade and ended up purchasing the Realspace Calusa Mesh Mid Back Chair.

Below I’ll walk through my buying journey – the features I was looking for, the options I considered, and what ultimately led me to choose the Calusa chair. I’ll provide details on the assembly, dimensions, adjustability, weight capacity, materials, reviews, colors, warranty, and more. I hope this comprehensive buying guide helps you in your own search for the ideal desk chair!

Why I Needed a New Chair

My previous chair was a basic cheap office chair I had picked up years ago. It served its purpose for a while, but over time I started having serious problems:

• The cushioning wore down and provided little support. My tailbone and back would ache after just an hour or two of sitting.
• The fake leather exterior was peeling and cracked in places. It just looked old and dilapidated.
• There was no adjustability. The seat height was set and the arms were fixed in place. I couldn’t customize anything.
• It would creak and rock whenever I moved. Very noisy and annoying!

I knew it was time for a major upgrade if I wanted to stay comfortable and avoid strain. I made a list of must-have features for my new chair:

• Adjustable height and armrests
• Breathable mesh material
• Lumbar support
• High back to support neck/shoulders
• Smooth rolling casters
• At least 250 lb weight capacity
• Budget of $200-300

With my criteria in mind, I set out on my search!

Researching the Options

I spent a lot of time researching different office chairs in my budget range. I browsed Amazon, Wayfair, Staples, Office Depot, etc. There were so many options it was a bit overwhelming initially. But I started making a list of contenders.

The Herman Miller Aeron chair is renowned for comfort, but way out of my budget. I considered gaming chairs like the GTRacing Pro Series but they lacked the adjustability I needed. I looked at models like the Office Star ProGrid mesh chair which seemed decent quality though some reviews mentioned reliability issues.

After compiling a list, I noticed the Realspace Calusa appeared on many “best home office chair” lists. It had rave reviews praising its comfort and adjustability. And the price range was reasonable, typically $150-250. This one floated to the top of my list!

Key Features of the Realspace Calusa

Here are some of the key features that stood out to me about the Realspace Calusa Mesh Chair:

• Breathable ventilated mesh back – This allows air to circulate and prevents sweaty backs on hot days. Much better than chairs with leather or fabric upholstery.
• Padded mesh seat – Provides cushioning comfort without retaining heat like fabric.
• Built-in lumbar support – The curved backrest aligns ergonomically to support the natural S-shape of the spine. This prevents back pain and strain.
• Adjustable height – The pneumatic seat height adjustment has an 8-inch range, perfect for customizing the fit.
• Flip-up arms – The padded arms can flip up out of the way which is great when I want to roll fully under my desk.
• Waterfall seat edge – The curved front of the seat eliminates pressure on the legs and improves circulation.
• Breathable mesh material – Allows for increased air flow to keep you cool.
• 250 lb weight capacity – Sturdy enough to support my frame comfortably.
• Smooth-rolling casters – The multi-surface dual wheel casters glide easily.
• Back tilt lock – Can lock the backrest at different angles or allow it to rock back.
• Adjustable tension – Customizes the amount of effort needed to recline the backrest.
• 1-year limited warranty – Provides peace of mind.

The features checked all of my must-have boxes and more. I was super impressed with the overall quality given the reasonable price tag.

Unboxing and Assembly

After much debate, I decided to order the Realspace Calusa chair. It arrived in a large heavy box which FedEx struggled to get up my front steps!

Inside the box was:

• Pre-assembled base with casters
• Backrest already attached to adjustable height cylinder
• Seat cushion
• Armrests
• Small box of screws and hex wrench
• Assembly instructions

The instructions were straightforward. I had to attach the seat to the height cylinder, pop on the arm rests, and adjust the tension control knob. That was it! No complicated steps. Assembly took less than 15 minutes and I didn’t need any help.

The packaging was all cardboard and plastic, no excessive styrofoam. I easily broke it down and recycled it all.

Sizing and Dimensions

Here are the key dimensions for the Realspace Calusa chair:

• Total height: 42.1” – 47.2”
• Seat width: 24.4”
• Seat depth: 19.75”
• Backrest height: 29.25”
• Base diameter: 27.75”
• Armrest height: 28.75” – 33” adjustable

It has an 8-inch height adjustment range from a low of 16.5” up to 24.5”. At 5’8”, the minimum height left me with my feet comfortably flat on the floor.

The seat width fits my medium frame without being too large. And the backrest hits right at shoulder level for optimum support.

I have plenty of clearance to roll under my desk. The base width isn’t too bulky.

Adjustability Features

Having a chair that can customize to my body and needs was a huge priority. Here are all the ways the Calusa chair can adjust:

• Pneumatic seat height – The lever makes it easy to lower or raise the seat. There’s about an 8 inch range suitable for most users.
• Flip-up padded arms – The arms can flip up to get them out of the way. This allows me to roll fully under my desk as needed. They flip back down easily to provide arm support.
• Back angle tilt lock – I can lock the backrest at different angles or unlock it to rock back. This allows me to shift positions throughout the day.
• Backrest tension – A knob controls the tension, or resistance, when tilting the backrest. I can make rocking back harder or easier based on my preference.
• Armrest height – Each arm can raise or lower independently about 5 inches. This accommodates my elbow placement whether sitting upright or reclined.
• Seat glide – The seat base can slide forward or back about 2 inches. Lets me fine tune the depth for optimal thigh support.

Quality Materials

The materials used in the Realspace Calusa chair seem very durable from my initial impressions:

• The breathable mesh back is a tightly woven material that still allows for good air flow. It has some flex but feels very supportive.
• The molded padded mesh seat has enough cushioning to be comfortable without being too soft. It springs back nicely when I stand up.
• The armrests are generously padded and have a vinyl exterior that seems easy to wipe clean.
• The chair has a glass-reinforced nylon base that feels very solid and sturdy underfoot.
• The dual-wheel casters are plastic with a polyurethane tread that seems smooth-rolling on carpet and hard floors.
• All adjustment knobs and levers have a sturdy build quality so they should hold up well.

The Realspace chair seems very well constructed for the price. All signs point to it being durable and long-lasting.

Reviews From Real Owners

In addition to product specs and descriptions, I always make sure to read through reviews from actual buyers before making a purchase. This gives me a better idea of real-world positives and negatives.

Overall, the Realspace Calusa chair has very positive reviews:

• Many praise the comfort provided by the contoured mesh back. Even after prolonged sitting, users say it helps align the spine and avoid pain.
• Numerous buyers mention the high adjustability as a major plus. Users of all heights are able to dial in the perfect fit.
• People say the chair provides great lumbar support right out of the box without needing pillow add-ons.
• Multiple reviewers describe the chair as an excellent value at a reasonable price point.
• Most buyers say the chair was easy to assemble in 15 minutes or less.

Some downsides mentioned:

• A few people had issues with broken casters within the first year. Seems to be isolated incidents.
• Some taller users don’t like that the headrest doesn’t adjust. It may not reach the shoulders.
• Some reports of noise when rocking back in the chair, likely from the tilt mechanism.
• Rare complaints about the hydraulic lift sinking over time. But well within the 1-year warranty period.

Overall most negatives seem minor and the vast majority of 4+ star reviews reflect a high quality chair.

Color Options

The Realspace Calusa chair comes in four color options:

Black – This is the most professional neutral color that would look great in any home office.

Gray – Slightly lighter than the black but still versatile for blending into a variety of decors.

Navy – A darker blue shade with subtle color if you want something beyond basic black.

Red – The bright cherry red will make a bold statement. Perfect if you want a lively pop of color.

I opted for the standard black since I wanted something inconspicuous. But I love that there are more fun colors available if you want to show off some personality!

Warranty Coverage

The Realspace Calusa chair comes with a 1-year limited warranty. This protects against defects in materials and workmanship.

Coverage includes:

• Frame and base components
• Moving parts like casters, pneumatic cylinder, tilt mechanisms
• Fabric and upholstery

This means Realspace will replace or repair the chair if any damage occurs during normal use in the first year. Shipping costs may apply if they need to send parts.

Based on reviews, Realspace seems very responsive and will send replacement parts quickly when warranty issues arise. Always good to have that peace of mind when making a purchase!

One downside is that general wear and tear over time isn’t covered. But the warranty should get me through any initial teething issues.

Cleaning Tips

One thing I worried about with a mesh chair was keeping it clean. But the Realspace Calusa seems like it will be easy to care for based on the materials:

• The mesh back and seat can be spot cleaned. I can use a soft brush and mild soap and water to scrub any stains. Then wipe gently with a damp cloth.
• If really dirty, I can remove the seat cushion and wash the mesh cover in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Air drying is best to avoid shrinkage.
• For the armrests, I’ll want to use only a mild cleaner and damp cloth to wipe them down. Avoid abrasives.
• Casters can be popped off and cleaned by hand if they get gummed up. The polyurethane tread shouldn’t require much attention.
• Plastic base can just be wiped down occasionally with a multi-surface spray cleaner and rag.

Avoid soaking or saturating the mesh material as it may damage the elasticity. But overall it seems low maintenance!

Comfort for Long Hours

As someone who sits for 8+ hours daily in a home office, comfort is my number one priority. The reviews convinced me the Calusa would allow me to sit for prolonged periods without pain.

After almost two weeks of using this chair full time, I can confirming it lives up to the hype!

• The contoured mesh back provides exceptional lumbar support. My lower back feels alignment and cushioned, with no soreness or strain so far.
• The flexing back with tilt lock makes it easy to actively rock back and shift position every so often. This avoids stiffness.
• The waterfall seat edge removes all pressure on my legs. I have full circulation – no tingling!
• The pronounced curve and breathable mesh keeps me from getting that sticky, sweaty feeling on my back.
• Having armrests at the perfect height takes pressure off my shoulders and neck.
• The smooth, responsive tilt and height adjustments mean I can tweak the settings on the fly as needed.

While no chair can guarantee perfect comfort indefinitely, the Calusa has already exceeded my expectations. I honestly forget I’m sitting in it sometimes! For the price, it can’t be beat.

Is It Worth the Investment?

For under $200 in most cases, the Realspace Calusa mesh chair is very reasonably priced in my opinion. Here’s a quick recap on why it’s worth the money:

• High-end ergonomic design that rivals premium brands.
• Lumbar support and breathable mesh provide exceptional comfort.
• Extremely customizable with all the adjustments I could want.
• Quality materials that should withstand years of use.
• Easy assembly right out of the box.
• Positive reviews back up the performance.
• Warranty for peace of mind.

For a stylish, adjustable chair with serious back support, you’d expect to pay far more. While it’s not cheap, it’s a worthwhile investment that will benefit my productivity and health for years to come.

The Calusa meets all my needs for an office chair upgrade. I’m glad I took the time to research all the options and landed on this gem. Finding the right chair took some work, but now I can sit in comfort all day long. No more back pain or leg numbness!

I hope this guide gives you some ideas if you’re on the hunt for a new desk chair. Let me know if you have any other questions!