We have been featuring a handful of gaming chairs here at MMORPG.com. Like new GPUs, RAM, CPU, or motherboards, we want to make sure that we have the tools to do the thing that we love to do: PC gaming. With the rise of e-Sports and game streaming, there is a certain look that has been adopted in the world of gaming chairs: the racing seat. This style has taken the industry by storm, bragging ergonomic designs, flashy colors, and plenty of room for sponsor logos and team names. This is where the Triigger 350 comes in.
Though the company is only two years old, Vertagear is making itself no stranger to the gaming chair industry. It boasts three line-ups of award winning chairs to choose from including a strange animal in a world filled with racing seats: the Triigger series. (You can find our review of Vertagear’s SL5000 here)
The Triigger 350 is aptly names for its armrest-mounted, trigger-style height and recline angle adjusters along with its 350-part makeup. Seeking to give gamers quick access to chair position shifting, Vertagear took inspiration for their “triigger” system from the paddle shifters found on the steering wheels of Formula One race cars. While we will be highlighting some of these elements within the review, here is a rundown of the Triigger 350’s specifications:
- Aluminum alloy frame and base, steel alloy mechanisms
- Premium calfskin leather accents
- Reinforced DuPont TPEE mesh coverings
- Adjustable seat depth (18.5 - 20 inches)
- Multi-direction lumbar support
- Armrest mounted triggers for height (right trigger) and recline angle adjustment (left trigger)
- A dual spring suspension mechanism with tilt tension adjustment
- 65mm/2.5 inch hub-less, roller bearing casters
- Class-4 gas lift
- 10-Year Limited Warranty
So, what does all of this mean in practice?
At first glance, the Triigger 350 looks like a high end ergonomic office chair and, for all intents and purposes, it is exactly that. As such, it is important that this chair is reviewed (and not minimized) on that merit.
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Construction and Aesthetic
Leaving the realm of typical gaming chairs in favor of function over form, the Triigger 350 isn’t an ugly chair, but it favors a subtler approach to its design over the more e-Sport-geared racing models. While the Triigger 275 is available in four accent colors (red, while, blue, and black), the Triigger 350 is only available in black, with a special edition version in red.
From a construction standpoint, this chair is built like a tank in the places it matters the most. Steel braided cables are used to support critical adjustment points. The five-point star base and a good portion of the back frame are made from an aluminum alloy, giving the chair a sturdy footprint and extra support where it is needed. That being said, the armrests and the frame of the seat and backrest are made out of plastic.
From a comfort perspective, the calfskin leather is smooth and supple, hugging the edges of the seat and back mesh. The mesh back and seat are firm, but breathable and typical trouble spots are reinforced with extra padding. Vertagear also sells an adjustable headrest separately for the Triigger 350.
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Function: “Gussy it up all you like, but, tell me, does it work?”
Vertagear’s Triigger 350 has eight points of adjustment, most of which can be accessed very, very quickly and without the need to leave the seat. Seat depth can be adjusted along with the distance between the back of the seat and the adjustable lumbar support pillow. The armrests move both up and down as well as a few degrees side to side - a nice feature if you’ve switching from keyboard and mouse gaming to a controller.
The feature from which the Triigger derives its name are the armrest triggers. The right-hand trigger adjusts the height of the chair, which is supported by a class-4 gas lift. The left-hand trigger allows you to either lock the back into a set position by depressing it or to customize the level of tension when you attempt to rock by releasing it.
With these eight points of adjustment, you can find the arrangement that works for your comfort and support needs.
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Assembly: “So, with 350 parts, how long does it take to set up?”
Three hundred and fifty parts sounds daunting, but in reality, there are only eight parts you need to concern yourself with. The seat and all of its mechanisms are already assembled for you. All you have to do is insert the casters and gas lift into the base, then gingerly set the seat assembly on top of the gas lift.
Don’t let the 167-page manual fool you - unless you plan on reading it in all six languages it is provided in. Out of the box, the setup time is minimal.
Comfort and Other Subjective Comments on the Triigger 350
It’s hard to quantify comfort in a review because what one person finds comfortable another might not. This chair is not cushy or made from memory foam, so it isn’t a chair that you would sit on for immediate comfort, but rather comfort over time.
[Ed. Note: this is incredibly important. Many gaming chairs are impressive early on but fall apart in extended sitting sessions.]
For me, I am a tall and rather broad lad, so I wish that the back were a few inches higher. That being said, in a battle between the Triigger 350 and my leather executive style office chair which featured a higher back, I’ve felt significantly more supported in the Triigger. I am still working out the combination of adjustments that suit me best, but so far, the chair has definitely won me over.
I mentioned this before, but it bares mentioning again: with so many things done so well with the Triigger 350, I wish that Vertagear had spent a little bit more time finessing the armrests. Outside of the triggers on the underside of the armrests, from a comfort standpoint, they just feel out of place. Perhaps some padding with that sweet calfskin leather would have added that extra touch of comfort and class that the Triigger 350 excels at in other places.
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Final Thoughts: “So What Does All of This Cost, and Why Should I Buy This Chair?”
The retail price for the Vertagear Triigger 350 is $699.99 USD. I know what you’re thinking: that price could net you a handful of upgrades on the parts I listed in the opening paragraph, but hear me out.
Remember, categorically, this chair falls into a completely different place and price bracket than your usual racing seat gaming chair. It is a high-end ergonomic chair – and not at an unheard-of price point for a chair of this caliber. Chairs like the Triigger 350 are designed for the spinal health of users who could be in them for extended hours every day. If you are going to be taking part in extensive gaming sessions (which we all will), a chair like this is an investment in the long-term care of your body.
At the end of the day, whether you choose to give the Triigger 350 a second look or not, a chair that encourages good spinal posture is one link in the chain of healthy decisions that we can make as gamers. It’s good to build on a solid foundation. Everything goes up from there. Consider me Triigger happy.
Pros
- Ergonomic design helps in extended gameplay sessions
- Fast adjustments on the fly
- High quality materials used in its construction
- Multi-point adjustments to fit your needs
Cons
- Cost prohibitive
- Armrests feel cheaper compared to the rest of the design
Check out Vertagear’s website for more details on their chairs.
- North America: http://www.vertagear.com
- Europe: www.vertagear.nl
The product discussed in this review was provided by the manufacturer for the purposes of review.
