The Remastered Aeron - What was once Old is New again

The original Herman Miller Aeron has been in the wild since 1994 and has been widely successful in both corporate and domestic office settings. In 2017, after nearly 23 years, Herman Miller released a revamped update, calling it the Remastered Aeron and ended production of the original Aeron later the same year.


^{(c) Herman Miller}

But aside from the revamped looks, weight and features how does the Remastered Aeron sit and feel in the real world?

Firstly lets get past the differences between old and new:

• lighter frame/base and streamlined tilt mechanism
• forward/rear tilt limiter tabs replaced by a Mira style twist knob
• revised arm rests offering forward/backward adjustment as well as more pivot locking positions
• new PostureFit SL lumbar support option
• update to Graphite base colour option being more grey-on-black mesh and frame

There are many reviews online since the Remastered Aeron's release but they tend to talk about the new chair's form but unfortunately not its function.

For over a decade, I've sat in Aerons of various descriptions, ages and specifications as my main work chair clocking up my weekly 9-5s - in the last couple of months I've migrated over to the new Remastered Aeron.

As you'd expect it sit's as you expect perhaps being a little more taut in some areas of the seat pan when compared to a new ~2016 classic; the Herman Miller Aeron marketing literature does mention:

Aeron's 8Z Pellicle elastomeric suspension seat and backrest, eight latitudinal zones of varying tension envelop you as you sit

The tautness across the seat does not affect comfort although the mesh has been revised and the pattern is closer together and appears more likely to trap more dust even if HM claims that it will trap less body heat.

The new PostureFit SL lumbar support is an iteration over the original PostureFit but I'm a fan of neither, much preferring the original blocky adjustable lumbar support since it allowed much more controlled placement. Even with the new SL fully engaged I don't really feel I'm getting supported there whilst pushing myself into the base of the seat pan - perhaps not a problem for some as I often see office co-workers slumped into chair at their desks.

^{(c) Herman Miller}

For the seat positional adjustments, the newer chair has simplified controls although I'm sure it'll take a while for muscle memory to update when reaching for the tilt adjustments which I think are easier/more convenient on the original. However, the tilt adjustment shouldn't be a big problem as most people will set/forget.

^{(c) Herman Miller}

The extra pivot points on the arm rests are a welcome adjustment - the original pivot positions were out, straight and in whereas the new model has intimidatory positions too. The depth adjustable sliding arms pads are a bit hit and miss as they can be easily knocked further back than you intend but again this can be welcome for taller/shorter users.


Overall the new chair feels and functions as you'd expect with no controversies if you're already an Aeron user.

^{(c) Herman Miller}

The question will be whether anyone would need to upgrade their existing Aeron? Personally, I would simply answer "no".

The question is really for people buying their first Aeron or for those whos chair is beyond repair; being second hand or new. If funding is not a consideration, get the Remastered Aeron for the non-transferable (up to 12 years) warranty although some Herman Miller dealers may still carry the original Aeron as ex-display which are still a good option (less the 12 year warranty) as these will tend to be fully spec'd (front/rear tilt, adjustable pivot arms and PostureFit). Going into the second hand market is more hit and miss given the wide range and conditions of chairs that could be available but still an option as long as you're aware of the potential pitfalls.