Quick Verdict: Leap V2 or Gesture?
Choose the Steelcase Leap V2 if lower-back support is your priority. Its separate lumbar height and firmness controls, five-position recline lock and Natural Glide make it the most finely tunable chair Steelcase makes, and it is usually a little less expensive. Choose the Steelcase Gesture if you move between keyboard, laptop, tablet and phone, or if several people share the chair. Its 360-degree arms and effortless seat depth knob fit an exceptionally wide range of bodies and postures. Both are rated for 400 pounds and built to last.
Leap V2 vs. Gesture at a Glance
| Steelcase Leap V2 | Steelcase Gesture | |
|---|---|---|
| Backrest | LiveBack | 3D LiveBack |
| Lumbar | Height + separate firmness | Gentle built-in; optional height adjustment |
| Seat depth | Slider | Easy-turn knob |
| Arms | 4D | 360-degree, widest range |
| Recline | Natural Glide, 5-position lock | 3 stops plus upright lock |
| Seat height | About 16"–20.5" | About 16"–21" |
| Weight capacity | 400 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Assembly | Ships assembled | Ships assembled |
| Check price | Check Latest Price | Check Latest Price |
Siblings With Different Strengths
The Leap V2 and Gesture are Steelcase's two flagship task chairs, and they share a lot: LiveBack technology that flexes with your spine, padded seats, 400-pound ratings, assembled delivery and excellent warranties. Office furniture testers often rank them nearly level overall. The differences come down to what each was designed to do best.
The Leap, refined since 1999, is about giving you precise control over your support. The Gesture, launched in 2013 after a global posture study, is about supporting the many positions people adopt when using modern devices.
Lower-Back Support
This is the Leap V2's biggest advantage. You set the lumbar support's height to meet your lower back, then use a separate control to set how firmly it presses. An upper-back force control tunes how much the top of the backrest resists when you lean back.
The Gesture's lumbar support is gentle by comparison. Its backrest has a built-in contour, and an optional adjustable lumbar lets you move the support up and down, but it never presses as firmly as the Leap's can. People who like pronounced lower-back pressure consistently prefer the Leap.
Winner: the Leap V2.
Armrests
The Gesture's arms are its signature. They adjust in height, width, depth and pivot across an unusually large range and swing inward to support your forearms when you hold a phone or tablet. They are widely considered the best arms on any office chair.
The Leap V2's 4D arms are very good, covering the same four directions, but with less range and without the Gesture's ability to follow you into device-centered postures.
Winner: the Gesture.
Seat and Fit
Both chairs have padded seats with flexible front edges and seat depth adjustment. The Gesture's knob makes setting depth effortless: you simply turn it while seated. The Leap's slider works well too, but requires lifting slightly off the seat. The Gesture's seat height reaches about half an inch higher.
The Gesture is often described as fitting the widest range of users of any chair, from petite to large, which makes it a strong choice for shared desks.
Scale 14" to 22". Manufacturer-published ranges.
Scale 14" to 20". Manufacturer-published ranges.
Winner: the Gesture for ease and breadth of fit.
Recline
The Leap V2 offers five recline lock positions plus Natural Glide, which slides the seat forward as you lean back so you stay close to your screen. The Gesture has three recline stops plus an upright lock, and its backrest keeps a slight flex even when locked, which some people love and others dislike.
Winner: the Leap V2 for control; the Gesture for people who enjoy a little movement.
Build, Warranty and Value
Both chairs are built to Steelcase's commercial standards, carry its limited lifetime warranty and ship fully assembled. The Gesture is heavier and generally costs a little more. The Leap V2 often delivers similar overall quality for less, which makes it the better value for people who do not need the Gesture's arms.
Winner: the Leap V2 for value.
A Day in Each Chair
At the start of the day, the Leap V2 invites a short setup session: lumbar height, lumbar firmness, upper-back force, seat depth, recline lock and four arm adjustments. Once set, it supports your lower back more firmly than almost any chair. The Gesture's setup is quicker, with an easy depth knob and intuitive arm movements, and it feels supportive right away, if less pronounced at the lower back.
As the day goes on, the differences follow your work. If you stay at the keyboard and occasionally lean back to read, the Leap's Natural Glide keeps you close to your screen as you recline. If you move between laptop, phone and tablet, the Gesture's arms follow you into every position.
Upholstery and Options
Both chairs come in a wide range of fabrics and leathers, and both offer optional headrests. The Gesture is available with a sleek shell back or a fully upholstered wrapped back. The Leap is also sold as the Leap Plus, rated for 500 pounds, for larger users.
Long-Term Ownership
The Leap V2 has one of the longest track records of any office chair and is famous for lasting well beyond its warranty. The Gesture, introduced later, shares Steelcase's build standards and warranty. Both ship assembled.
Other Chairs to Consider
Herman Miller Aeron
- Seat: 8Z Pellicle mesh
- Arms: Height, depth, pivot
- Lumbar: PostureFit SL (height + depth)
If you run warm, our #1 pick, the Herman Miller Aeron, offers cooling mesh and PostureFit SL support.
Which Should You Buy?
| If You… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want strong, precise lower-back support | Leap V2 |
| Use a laptop, tablet or phone a lot at your desk | Gesture |
| Share the chair with people of different sizes | Gesture |
| Recline while working and want to stay close to the desk | Leap V2 |
| Want the lowest price of the two | Leap V2 |
| Need over 400 lbs of capacity | Leap Plus (500 lbs) |
Read our full Steelcase Leap V2 review and Steelcase Gesture review for setup advice and more detail.
What About the Aeron?
Many shoppers comparing the Leap and Gesture also consider the Herman Miller Aeron, our overall #1 pick. It offers a cooler mesh seat and PostureFit SL pelvic support. See Aeron vs. Leap V2 and Aeron vs. Gesture. On a tighter budget, the Steelcase Series 2 brings LiveBack and 4D arms to a mid-range price.
Leap V2 vs. Gesture FAQs
Is the Gesture Worth More Than the Leap?
If you rely on its exceptional arms or need the broadest fit, yes. If lumbar control matters more, the Leap V2 is the better value.
Which Is Better for Back Pain?
Many people with lower-back discomfort prefer the Leap V2 for its adjustable lumbar height and firmness. Persistent pain should be checked by a clinician.
Do Both Chairs Have the Same Weight Capacity?
Yes, both are rated for 400 pounds. The separate Leap Plus is rated for 500.
Which Is Better for Tall People?
Both suit most users up to about 6'4"; the Gesture's seat goes slightly higher.