Fabric task chairs
The straightforward option for everyday desk work, and usually the best value when you are equipping a whole floor.
Where they fit
Cooler offices, quieter rooms and budgets that have to stretch across a lot of desks. A well-specified fabric task chair beats a poorly specified mesh one every time, so compare mechanisms rather than materials.
Longevity
Fabric wears at the front edge of the seat first. Choosing a chair with a replaceable seat pad, and keeping a spare gas lift and a set of castors on the shelf, will get several extra years out of a set. See chair spares and parts.
Where they suit better than mesh
Cooler buildings, ground floors and north-facing rooms, where a mesh back can feel draughty in winter. Fabric also absorbs a little sound, which helps in rooms with hard floors and glass.
For shared desks, choose a mid-tone fabric with a decent rub count. Pale fabrics look excellent on the day they arrive and show every mark within a month.
Ranges we stock
Eclipse, Cosmo and Chiro run through this category. Compare against mesh task chairs if the office runs warm, and keep chair spares on the shelf for a set you intend to keep.