The Thatsit Balans and the Wing sit at opposite ends of the Varier ergonomic kneeling chair line. Thatsit is the adjustable answer — taller frame, full-back, designed for the tall user or the buyer who wants every workday-shape covered in one chair. Wing is the simpler answer — wide seat, no mechanical adjustments, designed around the way the body wants to sit when it has room. Both are Norwegian, both descend from Peter Opsvik’s 1979 design language, and they are different chairs for different buyers.
This page sits inside the broader comparison hub. If you have decided between Variable and “something more,” this is a useful next page.
At a glance
| Axis | Thatsit Balans | Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Standard kneeling seat | Wider seat, room to cross-leg |
| Backrest | Adjustable, full-back | Yes — fixed, contoured |
| Adjustability | Backrest height, depth, seat height | None — fixed geometry |
| Frame height | Taller frame for users to ~6’4″ | Standard frame |
| Best for | Tall users, adjustment-prone buyers | Cross-leggers, simpler-is-better buyers |
The functional difference
Thatsit is the chair that adapts to your body. Wing is the chair you adapt your day around. The Thatsit asks: how do you want to sit today, and adjusts. The Wing answers: like this, every day, with room to shift sideways or cross-leg if you want.
Side by side
Seat width. The Wing’s seat is wider than any other chair in the Varier kneeling line. That changes how you sit even before posture is in the picture — the seat invites lateral shifts and cross-legged positions a Variable or Thatsit does not.
Adjustability. Thatsit has it; Wing does not. The Wing is for buyers who treat “no adjustments” as a feature.
User height. Thatsit is the chair for users above 6’1″. Wing fits standard heights better than tall ones; if you are 6’2″+, lean Thatsit.
Use cases. Thatsit is the all-day workhorse for the height-constrained buyer. Wing is the all-day workhorse for the buyer who wants the simplest possible kneeling chair with a wider seat.
Which is right for you?
Choose the Thatsit if you are tall, want adjustability, or want one chair that handles every workday shape. Choose the Wing if you want the wider seat, prefer fixed geometry, or want to cross-leg occasionally without leaving the chair. The tall users guide is the right read for the height-driven version of this question; the cross-leg chair page covers the Wing’s distinctive use case.
What buyers value
Thatsit buyers value adaptability. Wing buyers value the unfussed simplicity of a chair that is just the right shape and asks for no further input. The Thatsit is the more flexible chair; the Wing is the more decisive one.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Wing fit a tall user?
Up to about 6’1″ comfortably. Beyond that, the Thatsit is the better fit.
Does the Wing’s wide seat make it less ergonomic?
No. The active-sitting geometry is unchanged — the seat just gives more lateral room. Cross-legged positions and side-shifts are a feature, not a compromise.
Is the Thatsit harder to set up?
Slightly. The adjustability means you have a few choices to dial in. Once set, it stays set.
Can both chairs share a household?
Sure. Some buyers keep a Thatsit at the primary desk and a Wing in a second workspace or in a living room as a casual seat.
Which is more expensive?
The Wing typically lands above the Thatsit in price, depending on configuration. Both are at the top of the kneeling-chair price band.
