Product details
- Brand
- Haworth
- Color / finish
- Coal mesh
- Product type
- Ergonomic mesh-back office chair
Description
The Coal Haworth Fern pairs an airy mesh back with a cushioned seat and an unusually flexible back structure. Its central support and branching suspension allow the back to respond when you shift or reach, without a hard perimeter frame surrounding your shoulders.
This mesh configuration includes 4D arms, seat-depth adjustment, tilt tension and a back stop. Its plastic base distinguishes it from the aluminum-base digital-knit Fern listings. It is a straightforward choice for someone seeking Fern’s movement and adjustability in a dark finish, with the mesh surface visible through the back.
Features
- Mesh back surface: allows air to pass through the backrest while the seat remains cushioned.
- Wave Suspension back: supports movement through the stem-and-branch structure inside the chair.
- 4D arm pads: move vertically, laterally, forward/backward and through pivot adjustment.
- Adjustable seat depth: slide the seat within a 3-inch range to balance thigh support and knee clearance.
- Recline tension and back stop: fine-tune leaning resistance and limit rearward travel.
- Soft casters: the supplied wheels are the soft-caster option on a plastic swivel base.

Specifications
- Seat width
- 19.9 in.
- Seat depth
- 15.5–18.5 in.
- Listed capacity
- 325 lb
| Back / seat | Coal mesh back; upholstered cushion seat |
|---|---|
| Overall size | 29 W × 28.5 D × 41.5–47 H inches |
| Seat height | 16.5–21.5 inches |
| Seat width / depth | 19.9 inches wide; 15.5–18.5 inches deep |
| Arm height | 6.7–11.5 inches above seat |
| Base | Plastic swivel base |
| Casters | Soft |
| Options not specified | Headrest, added adjustable lumbar support and forward tilt |
What changes compared with digital knit?
| Back finish | This version uses mesh. Digital-knit versions add a different textile surface over Fern’s support system. |
|---|---|
| Base | The supplied Coal chair has a plastic base; selected knit configurations use aluminum. |
| Seat | Both approaches use an upholstered cushion rather than a suspended mesh seat. |
| Equipment | Compare lumbar, headrest and forward tilt on each individual listing; the Fern name alone does not establish those options. |
Check fit before choosing a mesh chair
A mesh back is only one part of comfort. Start with the seat dimensions: sit fully back and leave a small gap behind your knees, then position the arms near the keyboard. The 29-inch overall width also needs to fit your desk opening, with enough space to turn and roll.
Fern owners differ on the feel of the optional lumbar insert. This Coal listing does not specify that added insert; the suspension back still has a shaped lower-back region. If you prefer a prominent adjustable lumbar pad, select a configuration that explicitly includes one.
Keep the back mesh free of trapped grit with gentle vacuuming. Check the flooring manufacturer’s guidance for caster use, especially on delicate wood finishes. Soft casters do not eliminate the need to keep the rolling area clean.
What's included
- One Coal Fern mesh office chair
- 4D arms, plastic swivel base and soft casters
The catalog describes this configuration as ready to use without chair assembly. No headrest or added adjustable lumbar insert is specified.
Common questions
Is the whole chair mesh?
No. The back is mesh; the seat is an upholstered cushion. This gives a different sitting surface from chairs with suspended mesh seats.
Does this Coal version include a headrest?
A headrest is not listed for this configuration. Fern Executive listings identify the supplied headrest explicitly.
Does a plastic base mean it has fewer seat adjustments?
This listing still includes seat height, seat depth, 4D arms, tilt tension and a back stop. Base material and adjustment equipment are separate configuration choices.
What is its weight limit?
The supplied Coal configuration lists 325 lb. We retain that limit rather than applying a higher rating from newer Fern configurations.
Product information & sources
Color, plastic base, soft casters and included adjustments follow the supplied Coal catalog record. Dimensions are from Haworth’s US Fern reference. Optional equipment and factory-direct sales terms have not been added. Haworth Fern specifications and adjustment guide; Fern owner discussion: added lumbar support. Reviewed September 2026.
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