Aeron chair? Eames? Take a look at Designwithinreach.com office chairs.

What about this one?

http://www.smartfurniture.com/products/MultiGeneration-Hybrid-Chair.html

I have a Steelcase Gesture. Mine is in a ratherboring color (root beer...dark brown), but also available in bright cheerful fabrics. :) It is extremely comfortable and adjustable.

It sounds crazy, but the flat bungee chairs (like at The Container Store, or I got the cheaper one at BB&B) are very comfortable, and have a modern vibe. I tried one out at the store just for a laugh, but I almost bought one while I was there!

It swivels, rocks, and rolls too...plus you can lock it upright if you want.

He is going to spend a lot of time in this chair and it would make sense for him to try it out in person to see if it fits his body and is comfortable. DH has one of the Aeron chairs, which he loves ... I find them to be very uncomfortable. I'm picky too, with things that come into the house, but I think an office chair is a product where function is more important than looks.

I have a knock-off version of an Eames Aluminum high-back exec chair. I think I got it at Staples about four years ago. If you know even a little bit what you're looking for you'll know it's not an original -- the arms (among other things) are all wrong -- but it's a sleek, non-puffy option. Despite its lack of puffiness, shine or other glitz, it's quite comfortable. I don't think I paid the price in the link. I think I paid about $150. Eamesish chair

LOVE, love this chair. It is SO comfortable. Bought a used one, that looked brand new, on ebay. Be sure to adjust it to your body size and movement preferences.

http://www.hermanmiller.com/content/hermanmiller/northamerica/en_us/home/design-resources/images.html?text=Herman%20Miller:Products/Aeron%20Chairs

Other styles:

http://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating.html

I am a little worried about buying the Aeron chairs because it does seem the size and fit of the chair is very important. The Mirra 2 chair looks like another option . Unfortunately there are none local to me where he can try them out. I will be near a DWR next week so I will have a look and sit but he won't be with me.

chispa - I agree with you 100% I'm trying to find a form = function option!

Sizing for Herman Miller Aeron chair is pretty easy just need approximate height and weight (chart), fitting (e.g., height of arm support, lumbar support, tilt) you adjust to your desired comfort level.

https://www.hermanmiller.com/content/dam/hermanmiller/documents/product_literature/other/AP_SizeFitRef.pdf

Dh and I went to a DWR store to try out the Aeron chairs. For me, they were not as comfortable as I expected. The edge of the seat felt odd on the backs of my knees, even after adjusting it (but I'm pretty short). We also visited a business furniture store that sold Steelcase. Their customers were typically corporate, but they happily let us try out various chairs, which is when I was attracted to the adjustability of the Gesture. Definitely test out the chairs if you can :). A lot of used office furniture dealers have Aeron chairs, so if that style works, you may be able to save a bit.

Steelcase Gesture

I'm getting the bungee chair Williamsem recommended above except I'm doing the armless as it's for my art room. The Containerstore seems to have the best prices with the armless one only $119 on sale and they come in many colors.

Life Hacks had a blog post on the five best office chairs, ranging from the Aeron at many thousands of dollars to a humble $199 IKEA office chair that also got very, very good reviews. I bought six of them for our office employees and the reactions ranged from "wonderful" to "horrible." The one employee with back problems ended up visiting stores to sit in and select her own chair, which I bought, and which she now does not use at all because it is uncomfortable. Sitting in a chair for five minutes will not tell you if it is going to be comfortable over several years, unfortunately, so the important bit is to get a chair that adjusts with respect to height, incline, lumbar support, etc.

I just bought this today at Staples. Got it in Teal for my guestroom/office. Paid Staples $10.00 to put it together. I pick it up tomorrow. Thought it was very comfortable, it swiveled and tilts. Loved the colors, almost got the raspberry but the teal will go better with the room.

Jane

Saw this one as I walked by at Costco. Wasn't able to sit in it, but I thought it looked nice -- nicer than the photo.