Tem42 comments on Spend Money on Ergonomics - Less Wrong

43 Post author: Kevin 23 December 2011 06:40AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (208)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: taw 23 December 2011 08:35:37AM *  15 points [-]

So here are a few reviews:

I got used Aeron chair (the thing lasts forever, unlike other chairs I had that seemed to last 6 months on average), 30" (2560x1600) monitor, Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (which I use with Dvorak layout), and all of that was some of the best money I've ever spent. I also get the largest desk I could fit in my place, and I still regret that I couldn't get anything bigger. These are awesome ideas.

I tried many memory foam pillows, and they are a bit better than "normal" pillows, but I haven't been terribly happy about any of them. I always sleep on my side (I'm literally unable to sleep in any other position, no matter how tired, how the hell people sleep in airplanes or trains is a mystery to me) - people who sleep on their backs have very different pillow needs, so if you hear recommendation from someone who sleeps differently, disregard it completely.

Unless you're running a lot, and virtually nobody does, "barefoot shoes" seem entirely pointless, and their main effect will be marking you as a total nerd publicly.

Fidgeters are much less likely to be obese than non-fidgeters.

Correlation called, it wants its causation back.

Also if you're looking for low hanging fruit, even very modest amount (1-3h weekly) of light to moderate physical exercise does wonders to energy levels and general mood. inb4 anybody asks it's been proven in every study imaginable to have zero effect on weight either way.

Second also: Ninja Zemgears seem to have highly polarized reviews online - some people's feet fit well and they're happy, other people's feet don't and they hate them. This problem probably applies to all "barefoot" shoes, since they need tighter tolerances than traditional shoes, and traditional shoes already have fitting problems with plenty of people, so people usually buy them in person than online. Also plenty of people complain about durability.

Comment author: Tem42 12 August 2015 02:11:28AM 1 point [-]

An update: barefoot shoes are looking more and more normal; it is now easy to find barefoot runners that look unremarkable. The 'barefoot' distinction usually indicates thin, flexible soles, no significant heel, and a wide toebox. They tend to be a bad choice if you are walking on hard floors all day long and will offer no ankle support, but otherwise I have found them highly ergonomic.

I agree that Vibram Fivefingers are probably a bad idea. Regardless of how they look, they have stiff soles that force your toes into specific positions. For some people these positions will be comfortable, and for others they will not. I also question how such a stiff sole can be considered 'barefoot'.

Comment author: RomeoStevens 12 August 2015 05:32:02AM 1 point [-]

I highly recommend vivobarefoot for anyone who has wide feet. They make a few models that are plain black or brown leather and look like normal shoes.