Comparison
Leap vs Gesture
Steelcase vs Steelcase — full spec comparison
Bottom line
Leap is the dial-everything LiveBack classic; Gesture is the modern device-posture chair with 360° arms. Both are 400 lb Steelcase work chairs with strong refurb availability.
Comparing 2 chairs across key specs.
Steelcase
Leap
Brand
Steelcase
Model
Leap
Era produced
2001–Present (V2 from 2008)
Discontinued
No
MSRP (new)
$1,359
Avg refurbished
$550
Avg used
$320
Height range
5'0"–6'4"
Weight capacity
400 lbs
Seat width
19.25"
Seat depth
18.75"
Backrest height
25"
Seat material
Fabric + Foam
Armrests
4D Articulating
Forward tilt
Yes
Lumbar
Height-Adjustable Pad
Headrest
Factory
Cylinder
Top-activated pneumatic (~15.5"–20.5" seat height)
Caster stem
11mm × 22mm standard
Frame
Polymer outer shell + steel mechanism
Tilt / lock
Upper-back force + lower-back firmness; variable backstop / upright lock
Arm adjustability
Height, width, depth, and pivot (4D standard on many specs)
Steelcase
Gesture
Brand
Steelcase
Model
Gesture
Era produced
2013–Present
Discontinued
No
MSRP (new)
$1,480
Avg refurbished
$700
Avg used
$400
Height range
5'0"–6'6"
Weight capacity
400 lbs
Seat width
20"
Seat depth
18.5"
Backrest height
24"
Seat material
Fabric + Foam
Armrests
4D Articulating
Forward tilt
Yes
Lumbar
Integrated
Headrest
Factory
Cylinder
Top-activated pneumatic
Caster stem
11mm × 22mm standard
Frame
Polymer shell + steel core mechanism
Tilt / lock
Core-equalized recline with tension; lock available
Arm adjustability
360° range: height, width, depth, near-infinite pivot
| Spec | SteelcaseLeap | SteelcaseGesture |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Steelcase | Steelcase |
| Model | Leap | Gesture |
| Era produced | 2001–Present (V2 from 2008) | 2013–Present |
| Discontinued | No | No |
| MSRP (new) | $1,359 | $1,480 |
| Avg refurbished | $550 | $700 |
| Avg used | $320 | $400 |
| Height range | 5'0"–6'4" | 5'0"–6'6" |
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Seat width | 19.25" | 20" |
| Seat depth | 18.75" | 18.5" |
| Backrest height | 25" | 24" |
| Seat material | Fabric + Foam | Fabric + Foam |
| Armrests | 4D Articulating | 4D Articulating |
| Forward tilt | Yes | Yes |
| Lumbar | Height-Adjustable Pad | Integrated |
| Headrest | Factory | Factory |
| Cylinder | Top-activated pneumatic (~15.5"–20.5" seat height) | Top-activated pneumatic |
| Caster stem | 11mm × 22mm standard | 11mm × 22mm standard |
| Frame | Polymer outer shell + steel mechanism | Polymer shell + steel core mechanism |
| Tilt / lock | Upper-back force + lower-back firmness; variable backstop / upright lock | Core-equalized recline with tension; lock available |
| Arm adjustability | Height, width, depth, and pivot (4D standard on many specs) | 360° range: height, width, depth, near-infinite pivot |
| Buy |
FAQ
- Which Steelcase chair is more adjustable?
- Leap generally offers more explicit back-force and lumbar dials. Gesture focuses adjustability into its arm range and core-equalized recline.