The average gamer spends over 6 hours a week playing video games. With all those hours seated in a gaming chair, choosing the right upholstery material is crucial for comfort. Surprisingly, one study found gamers in mesh chairs reported less back pain than those using leather after 8 continuous hours of play. In this blog post, I will dive into the pros and cons of different gaming chair materials to help you make the optimal choice for staying cool and pain-free even during marathon gaming sessions.
Common Materials Used for Gaming Chair Upholstery
Here are the most common material options used for covering and upholstering gaming chairs along with their notable pros and cons:
01. Leather
The appeal of leather lies in its luxurious look and feel durability, and ease of cleaning. 100% genuine leather gaming chairs provide a premium, executive style.
However, leather does have some downsides to consider. As leather is not very breathable, chairs upholstered in real leather tend to get hot during lengthy gaming sessions. The material can cause sweating and sticking to the chair when you get overheated. According to ergonomic experts, leather gaming chairs retain more body heat due to the nature of the material.
One study showed that the surface temperature of leather chairs was 3-5°F higher than mesh or fabric chairs after 2 hours of continuous use. Leather ranked lowest for breathability. This is important to keep in mind for gamers who spend multiple continuous hours playing in their chair.
On the plus side, quality leather is extremely durable, withstanding years of regular use with proper care. Leather gaming chairs also clean up nicely using just soap and water, making maintenance simple. Combining a leather chair with a cooling cushion or built-in fan can help enhance comfort for marathon gaming.
02. Vinyl
High-tech vinyl is a faux leather with specially formulated microfine pores on the surface, enhancing breathability and water vapour permeability. This results in a super comfortable, breathable, and incredibly durable material. Vinyl’s robust, easy-to-clean nature is well-suited for gaming studios or other caregiving workplaces where infection control is paramount.
With just a quick wipe, germs can be removed to avoid their spread around the workplace. Vinyl’s robustness also makes it ideal for heavy-duty environments like large gaming tournaments where 12-hour use or frequent staining is possible.
Here, vinyl is the best option to withstand heavy use while allowing for easy cleaning between users. One statistic shows vinyl gaming chairs have a tensile strength over 3 times higher than fabric options, and abrasion resistance above 15,000 cycles.
When selecting materials for a new gaming chair, vinyl should be strongly considered for its durability, cleanability, and performance in high-traffic gaming environments. The benefits of vinyl make it a top choice for certain gaming workplaces where infection control and heavy use are common concerns.
03. Memory Foam
This material is popular among the gaming community as its ability to conform to the user’s body shape, providing custom support and comfort.
Memory foam can distribute body weight evenly, reducing pressure points that lead to pain and discomfort during long gaming sessions. In one study, volunteers sat in memory foam versus standard foam chairs for 8 hours. Those in memory foam chairs reported less back pain and discomfort than the control group. Unlike other solid foams, memory foam’s open-cell structure allows air to pass through, preventing heat buildup. However, some users complain memory foam retains more body heat than other materials.
While memory foam excels at comfort and support, potential downsides exist. Its heat retention may make users feel hot over time. Also, memory foam is less bouncy than other foams, lacking a responsive feel some users prefer. Memory foam can develop impressions over time if users sit in the same spot daily. Despite minor drawbacks, memory foam remains a top choice for gaming chair padding due to its unmatched ability to reduce pressure points and tailor to each user’s unique shape.
04. Strong Mesh Fabric
Mesh fabric gaming chairs are specifically designed to allow for optimal airflow circulation to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible.
The strong polyester or nylon mesh materials are long-lasting while still providing softness and flexibility where needed. This makes mesh an exceptional choice if you want both breathability and ergonomic support. Mesh chairs really excel at dissipating body heat during those marathon gaming sessions.
04. UVI-Blocking Chair Material
UVI gaming chair upholstery material is a breathable faux leather that utilizes a special ultraviolet light inhibitor integrated into the fabric. This UV-blocking agent helps the material avoid absorbing heat like natural leather does. Instead UVI material stays cooler to the touch by bouncing away UV rays. This superior heat management makes UVI material excellent at preventing excess warmth buildup, keeping you comfortable for even intense 4+ hour gaming binges during the dog days of summer.
05. Microfiber Upholstery
Gaming chairs covered in soft microfiber offer supportive comfort reminiscent of plush suede. The finely woven synthetic microfibers feel silky smooth to the touch while remaining sturdy in specialized gaming chair designs. Microfiber’s suede-like feel also makes it stain-resistant and easy to spot clean. It’s a great choice if you want a cosy, enveloping seat during your gaming escapades without worrying about cleanup.
06. Carbon Fiber Accents
Gaming chairs featuring carbon fibre accents provide an edgy racing aesthetic. The dark carbon weave patterns contrast strikingly with brighter upholstery colours for an eye-catching style. Carbon fibre panels strengthen the chair in places for added durability while complementing the modern racing car vibe. Carbon accents elevate a plain chair to new styling heights.
07. Gaming Chair with Eco Skin Top Coating
Eco-skin vegan leather gaming chair covers provide the visual look of real leather along with water resistance while avoiding ethical concerns over animal products. Eco skin PU leather alternative is crafted from polyurethane-coated fabric that emulates leather’s appearance and feel. But it runs cooler and wicks moisture better thanks to greater breathability. Eco skin resists wear, scratches and stains for easy cleaning too.
08. Fabric Top Coating for Gaming Chairs
Upholstering gaming chairs with fabric opens up a world of colourful pattern, print and texture options. From solid colours to cool graphic prints, the fabric allows you to add your style. Softer woven fabrics add comfort by conforming to your body’s shape. And they don’t retain as much heat as faux leather. Just take care to spot clean fabric covers to prevent staining and stickiness from spills.
Related – Gaming chairs better with Vs without pillows
Tips for Picking the Best Gaming Chair Fabric
Follow this guidance when evaluating the perfect gaming chair cover material for your needs:
- Mesh, UVI, fabric and eco skin will all stay cooler than leather if long heat retention is a concern. Or place a fan near your chair.
- Focus first on optimizing comfort features like ergonomic shape, 4D armrests, adjustable tilt and integrated lumbar support.
- Leather looks sleek but breathes the least. Lean into the classy executive style or improve airflow around the chair.
- Ensure the selected upholstery fabric rates highly durable for daily gaming use without rapid wear and tear issues.
- Consider cleaning factors – leather wipes clean but show scratches, while light fabric shows dirt rapidly. Darker hues hide oils.
- If possible, test sitting in floor model chairs in person at a furniture store to assess comfort.
- Opt for colours, styles and aesthetics you love to maximize the enjoyment of your chair and gaming zone.
- For ultimate heat management, look for mesh or UVI chairs with built-in fans and optimal ergonomic support.
Verdict
The surface temperature of leather chairs was 3-5°F higher than mesh or fabric after 2 hours of use. This makes leather a poor choice for marathon gaming sessions. Mesh chairs excel at dissipating body heat during extended play. The strong polyester or nylon mesh materials provide both breathability and ergonomic support. For optimal airflow and comfort during marathon gaming sessions, mesh fabric is the best material for a gaming chair.
