Why are most gaming chairs leather?

27 Nov.,2024

 

Fabric vs Leather Gaming Chair: Which One to Choose?

Did you just drop that pizza or the cola when dining in your gaming chair?  Tired of sweating while gaming?  Is your three-hundred-dollar chair flaking and tearing up so quickly?

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Well, the reasons may be many, but you cannot afford to lose a game just because you have been moving around in your chair.  Why?  Of course, you have been uncomfortable or not feeling too good while playing games!

What should you do?  Which gaming chairs are the best for you, fabric vs. leather gaming chair?

Let us explore more before you decide.

What is PU Leather?

One of the main questions that most folks ask is, what is PU leather?  While most folks know leather, PU leather is, more often than not, a question mark.  PU leather is an artificial leather that is made from thermoplastic polymers.  As per Wikipedia, the main reason to use artificial leather is the aesthetics and the low costs.  Some manufacturers use the leftover animal hide after the main leather is removed as the first quality.  This is then treated and wrapped in polyurethane before finishing touches are applied.

PU leather is also known by different names globally, like leatherette or vegan leather.  In some regions, they are better known as faux leather, imitation leather, or even p-leather.

What Fabrics are Used for Gaming Chairs?

You may tend to think of a cloth material when you hear the word fabric.  Well, you are not completely wrong.  However, the term fabric encompasses cotton, silk, velvet, polyester, linen, and mesh.  Most of these may be natural fabrics or could be synthetic fabrics.

How Do You Decide Fabric or Leather for Your Gaming Chair?

While the fabric for a gaming chair is more of a personal choice, there are definitely some pointers that you should consider before buying a fabric or leather gaming chair.   Though we are discussing the material of a gaming chair, don&#;t miss the fact that you also need it to be an ergonomic chair.

Here are the top things to watch out for.

Aesthetics

A fabric vs PU leather gaming chair?  Which offers you better aesthetics?

PU leather-covered gaming chairs look much more appealing than most fabric-based ones, though it is a personal choice.  And yet, the design, feel, comfort and color of fabric-covered gaming chairs make them more appealing.  

Much as manufacturers have tried, PU leather just does not resemble original leather.  Most folks who are particular about genuine leather may never go with PU leather.  So, if you are gifting a PU leather-covered gaming chair, you may need to think this over and go for a fabric gaming chair.

Affordable

There is high competition between PU leather and fabric-covered gaming chairs.  Unless the fabric ones have a special design, a richer fabric, the difference in pricing is negligible.

Breathability

As PU leather is synthetic, they tend to pass less air.  They usually trap body heat that makes you sweat on a higher side than most natural fabrics.  You may find a PU leather gaming chair uncomfortable

 if you tend to be in your chair for long hours while gaming, 

On the other hand, a fabric gaming chair offers you higher breathability.  Fabrics keep you cool even during long working hours.  Some synthetic fabrics like polyesters may not offer you higher comfort.

Here is our recommendation for a breathable gaming chair.

Comfort

Two other things that you need to watch out for are the ambient temperature and your body's comfort.  If you are based in geography with hot summers, you may need an airconditioned room to reduce sweat as you use a PU gaming chair.  However, a PU chair may feel too cold to sit on initially if you are operating in a cold region.

Your body comfort is altered by how much you tend to sweat.  A PU chair may not be the best bet for a gaming chair for people who tend to sweat a lot.  Remember, this is also affected by how long you are on the console, playing games.

Do remember that PU leather is available in different grades or quality.  The ones with higher quality are much closer to leather finish and offer you better breathability (or less sweaty) material.

Some folks report irritation to the body skin when they use a PU leather gaming chair.  You may need to watch out if your skin is allergic to such material if you buy one for yourself.

Do read our blog on fabric office chairs. 

Designs

Here is another difference between fabric vs. leather gaming chairs. A PU leather gaming chair may have an economical touch and lesser design range options for you. Fabrics fare better in offering you a range of designs, colors, textures, or the cloth material's feel.

Durability

PU leather is prone to tatter or chip away when used in a dry or air conditioned room.  It cracks or peels due to constant use and looks very dirty.  The only resolve then is to change the material.  Patchy and broken PU leather is certainly not for your gaming chair.

Fabrics fare better on this feature.  When maintained well, they last longer than most PU leather-covered gaming chairs.  Regular cleaning and maintenance of fabric make them last longer.

Immunity from Stains

There is no material that does not get stained.  However, stains are easily removable from PU leather compared to most fabrics.  Food and beverages are the usual culprits when you are at your gaming chair.  Hence, gaming chairs are easy to clean and maintain when covered by PU material. 

Stains from your body sweat are the next one on the list to spoil the appearance of your gaming chair.  PU leather makes it easier to clean and maintain in comparison to fabrics.  Fabrics absorb the sweat and leave stains that appear dirty unless washed and cleaned.  Have you considered these tips on how to clean leather chairs? 

If you have high-quality (near pure) PU leather on your gaming chair, removing stains is not as easy it sounds.  You may need special treatment for near pure PU leather-covered furniture.  This could be an expensive affair.

Wrap-up

You now have a detailed comparison of PU leather-based or fabric-covered gaming chairs.  Do consider these factors as you buy one.  In either case, your body's comfort should come first.  Don't miss out on the fact that gaming chairs need to be ergonomically designed for your comfort and good health!  After all, isn't that what you want?  Happy gaming.

Leather vs Fabric Gaming Chairs: Which Luxury is For You

A gaming set-up is not complete without a gaming chair. Facts. But there are so many factors to consider when buying your new throne. Today, we&#;re focussing on materials. Leather vs fabric (and more)!

Do you go fabric? Do you go mesh? Do you go leather? Heck, there are even different kinds of leather! We&#;re going to breakdown each type of material you commonly find on a gaming chair, detailing their benefits, what makes them ideal, and a few cons for balance. We&#;ll even suggest a model or two and some further reading &#; we got you! 

Why Use a Gaming Chair?

First of all, we should establish why you need a gaming chair. It&#;s something we&#;d talked about at length on the Overclockers UK blog, so this will be a TL;DR, with some extra articles for you to check out as and when you need.  

Anji Fengge Furniture are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

The crux of it all is gaming chairs provide outstanding comfort. They have been engineered with innovative ergonomic features, like self-adjusting lumbar support or lockable tilt rockers. Every facet of design, from padding to perks, has been crafted to support you. More to the point, they&#;re made to support you over long periods of time, so you can game on without worrying about aches or pains. 

If you&#;re new to gaming chairs or need a refresher before you upgrade, we&#;ve got three great articles here that go into the nitty, gritty detail of ergonomics and comfort. 

Your guide to gaming chairs covers everything you could possibly need to know about them. There&#;s even a brand fact file.

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A big point on why gaming chairs are so good is because they provide outstanding support for your back. Keeping your back in good health is paramount. This article goes into full detail why keeping your back happy is a must.

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Work from home? Or even looking to upgrade your office set up? Did you know you can use a gaming chair in your professional life? All those features that keep you comfy during long gaming sessions will do just the same on your 9-5.

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Material Showdown

Now, this is what you came here for! We&#;ve taken five popular materials used on gaming chairs and are putting them under the microscope. Sort of. Not really, but you get what I mean. We&#;ll be inspecting them closer, weighing up their pros and cons. All in the name of comfort and good gaming. 

PU Leather

First, we have PU leather, or faux leather. This 100% vegan leather alternative is a popular choice on gaming chairs, frequently used by the likes of noblechairs and Nitro Concepts. It&#;s breathable, durable, and looks heckin&#; great with vibrant colours! Better yet, it is at a more accessible price point than genuine leather, so you can achieve the look without making your bank balance cry. 

Pros:

  • Accessible price point 
  • 100% vegan 
  • Easy to clean 
  • Relatively sustainable to produce &#; uses fewer resources 
  • Resists wear and tear 

Cons:

  • Look is not as natural as genuine leather 
  • Plastic smell 
  • Can be suspectable to rips and cracks 

PU leather is commonly used on gaming chairs, so you are definitely not short on choice. Our favourite at the moment has to be the Nitro Concepts X Transformers Autobots Edition.  

Nitro Concepts X Gaming Chair &#; Transformers Autobots Edition

  • Officially licenced Transformers design
  • PU leather upholstery
  • 3D armrests
  • Adjustable ergonomics
  • Detailed stitching
Buy NowShop PU

High-Tech Vinyl

High-tech vinyl is another faux leather, but this is a specially formulated material engineered by noblechairs. The leather style material has been treated to form microfine pores on the surface, enhancing breathability and making it permeable to water vapour. The result? It&#;s super comfy, breathable, and incredibly durable. 

Pros:

  • Highly breathable thanks to microfine pores 
  • Water permeable 
  • Incredibly durable 
  • Easy to clean 

Cons:

  • Exclusive to noblechairs &#; comes at a premium 
  • Limited choice 

There is a selection of noblechairs series that use high-tech vinyl leather. We love the classic noblechairs EPIC Java Edition

noblechairs EPIC Gaming Chair &#; Java Edition

  • Stunning coffee-coloured gaming chair
  • High-tech vinyl upholstery
  • Stainless steel frame
  • Lockable tilt rocking mechanism
  • DIN EN office certified
Buy NowShop High-Tech Vinyl

Real Leather

Moving onto the more bougie leathers, we have real or genuine leather. This is the ultimate premium, and it has the price tag to match. But sometimes you just can&#;t beat genuine leather. It&#;s durable, breathable, stylish, and has that distinct smell which some people just can&#;t get enough of. If luxury is a priority, then you can&#;t go wrong with real leather. 

Pros:

  • Super stylish 
  • Durable 
  • Breathable 
  • Genuine leather smell 

Cons:

  • Premium material, premium cost 
  • Needs to be properly maintained 
  • Can crack 

At Overclockers UK, we only have genuine leather gaming chairs from noblechairs &#; peak gaming luxury. Our favourite is the noblechairs ICON Midnight Blue/Graphite

noblechairs ICON Top Grain Leather Gaming Chair &#; Midnight Blue/Graphite

  • Stylish dark blue and black gaming chair
  • Top grain leather upholstery
  • Adjustable ergonomics
  • XL casters optimised for soft and hard flooring
  • Reclines to 135-degrees
Buy NowShop Real Leather

Mesh

If breathability is your number one priority, then a mesh gaming chair should be high on your list. The springy high-tensile material will keep you well supported, whilst the open weave will let the air flow freely. 

Pros:

  • Highly breathable 
  • Generally lighter and easier to move around 
  • Great for smaller spaces 
  • Low maintenance &#; cleaning is simple 

Cons:

  • Harder to repair the fabric 
  • Lower quality mesh fabrics will warp with use 
  • Limited variety 

Mesh gaming chairs may not sport the more traditional aesthetic, but we think the Aerocool Guardian Champion Red is a stunner. 

Aerocool Guardian Gaming Chair &#; Champion Red

  • Iconic red gaming chair
  • Mesh and leatherette upholstery
  • Armour-like padding
  • Class 4 hydraulic gas lift
  • Adjustable
Buy NowShop Mesh

Fabric

Our final material is fabric. Whilst there will be subtle differences from chair to chair, brand to brand, each fabric gaming chair is upholstered in a breathable material. What&#;s more, they will often be reinforced to enhance durability and promote better longevity.  

Pros:

  • Wide range available &#; covering different designs and price points 
  • Highly breathable 
  • Relatively cheaper than other materials 
  • Variety of material feels &#; pick the one that suits you! 
  • Durable and won&#;t crack 

Cons:

  • Harder to clean 
  • Can retain odours if not properly maintained 

There are many great fabric gaming chairs to choose from, but we&#;re still blown away by the ThunderX3 CORE Loft, with its SYNC6 mechanism, adjustable ergonomics, and snack pocket. 

ThunderX3 CORE Loft Gaming Chair Grey

  • Light grey gaming chair
  • Fabric upholstery
  • SYNC6 six-way adjustable mechanism
  • Self-adjusting lumbar support
  • Includes a 3-in-1 footrest
Buy NowShop Fabric

And The Winner Is&#;

Frankly, there are no wrong answers here, it&#;s all about which material you vibe with best. Like the sound of a smooth PU leather? Can&#;t wait to feel how soft the fabric is? Perhaps you&#;re a traditionalist and only genuine leather will do. Seriously, no wrong answers. 

Which one you pick will need to tick your boxes. From this list, there will be a material that hits your budget, texture preferences, aesthetic, and any other parameters that are important to you. We&#;re just here to show them all off. 

Further Reading

Need more info on gaming chairs before you commit? We&#;ve got plenty of content for you to read up on first! 

Buying on a budget? We have a fab selection of gaming chairs for under £250. Get inspired by this tasty cross-section of gaming chairs.

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Got a bit more stored away in your gaming chair kitty? This round-up is of some great chairs under £500.

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More savvy spending, we have another round up of gaming chairs that are great for making upgrades on a budget.

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Marvel fans, did you know we have gaming chairs featuring officially licenced superhero designs? Well, now you do!

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Fallout fans, this selection is for you. We have a number of gaming chairs featuring iconic designs inspired by the Fallout universe. There are even pillow sets to match.

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Vibing to noblechairs? We have a dedicated guide to help you decide which model will fit you best. Are you an ICON, HERO, EPIC, or a LEGEND?

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Perhaps you&#;re eyeing up a ThunderX3 gaming chair? We have a full breakdown of their esports-focused range, including the latest CORE and EAZE Series.

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If the aesthetics are going to play a big part in the decision-making process, why not check out our small office lifestyle inspiration articles? These pair a gorgeous gaming chair with a full office set up that will make your eyes turn into cartoon hearts.

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Leather Vs Fabric

Which gaming chair material does your throne use? Drop a comment below with your favourite material. 

Are you interested in learning more about Leather Gaming Chair Wholesale? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!