Despite the lack of frills, the Novis’ construction is surprisingly good. The dense, cold-cure foam padding takes up the entire seat and back, without the hollows you find in many inexpensive gaming chairs. It’s a bit softer than most foam-padded gaming chairs I’ve tested, but not squishy or unsupportive. You won’t sink into the Novis, but you should look elsewhere if you want a super-firm seat. The fabric upholstery is soft and sturdy. I can’t speak to the faux leather version’s texture or ruggedness, except for cat-friendliness; fabric chairs are always more resilient to cat claws than leatherette chairs, no matter how much money you spend.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
The wheelbase’s construction changes depending on the chair size. The L version has a nylon base, while the XL version has an iron base. Metal bases are sturdier than nylon, though the base on the L model I tested is fairly strong; it didn’t bend or crack during our test period.
Although it lacks a lumbar cushion or support mechanism, the Novis has a lumbar arch that feels very natural. In fact, the entire chair rested comfortably against my fairly large frame. The seat’s sides and chair back arched gently enough so that I didn’t feel squished during testing. The least comfortable aspect is simply due to its lack of tilt; I’ve gotten very accustomed to rocking back on my chairs.
