The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 is a saddle-seat chair for perching at desks 72 cm and higher, sit-stand desks included. You sit higher than usual, thighs sloping down, feet on the base's arched footplates. Even with the 8020's removable cushion the seat is firm, and the locking tilt rocks back only 15° (both figures per Flokk).
- Flokk lists a seat height of 47–65 cm on the standard 200 mm gas lift, measured under load, and 40–53.5 cm or 55.5–80.5 cm on the optional 150 mm and 265 mm lifts.
- Per Flokk, the seat is 46 cm wide and slides about 7 cm, for a depth of 40–47 cm.
- Flokk gives the winged polypropylene backrest about 9 cm of height travel; its wings stand in for armrests, which the chair doesn't have.
- HÅG's inBalance tilt rocks seat and backrest together through 15° behind a neutral position 2° to the rear, per Flokk, and a lever locks it.
- Flokk puts the aluminium five-star base at 73 cm across and the chair at 11.1 kg; each leg ends in an arched footplate.
- The Capisco Puls was designed by Peter Opsvik, is made by Flokk in Røros, Norway, and is tested to EN 1335 and ANSI/BIFMA X5.1, according to Flokk.
Last updated October 2026. Specifications checked October 2026.
What is the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020, and how does it differ from the 8010?
The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 is Flokk's saddle-seat chair with a removable upholstered cushion over its polypropylene seat shell; the 8010 has only a small pad set into the middle of the shell. Everything else is shared, though Flokk lists the 8020's seat 1–1.5 cm higher on the same lift.
Peter Opsvik designed it around the idea that the best sitting position is always the next one, and the housing under the seat is stamped Made in Norway. We sell it in seven shell colours (Moss, Blueberry, Rosehip, Light Grey, Sand, Clay and Black) on a black, white or silver base, with a Moss Grey base for Moss and Blush Rose for Rosehip. It reads as furniture more than office kit, and it's the sit-stand pick in our best ergonomic office chairs guide.
How do you sit on a saddle chair like the Capisco Puls?
Set the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 higher than a normal chair and let your thighs slope down; that's what the saddle is for. The seat dips in the middle and falls away at the sides and front, so the front edge stays clear of your thighs even with the seat raised well up. Flokk says the shape opens the hip angle, and it designs the chair for what it calls active sitting.
The seat falls away at the sides and front, so your legs part and your thighs can slope down.
You can sit three ways. Forwards is the default. To sit sideways, slide the seat forward first so a gap opens between seat and backrest, then free the tilt. To straddle it facing backwards, chest against the winged backrest, lock the tilt first: left free, the backrest moves under your weight.
Expect to face forwards most of the day and turn sideways only now and then. Facing backwards at a desk, the wings can catch the desk edge.
Which gas lift should you choose: 150, 200 or 265 mm?
Choose the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020's gas lift by desk height: 200 mm (standard) for desks from about 72 cm, 265 mm for raised and sit-stand desks, 150 mm for lower desks and shorter sitters. Measure your desk first: most run 70–75 cm, but custom and drawer desks vary.
| Gas lift | Seat height (per Flokk, under load) | Best match |
|---|---|---|
| 150 mm (optional) | 40–53.5 cm | Lower desks; shorter sitters who want both feet on the floor |
| 200 mm (standard) | 47–65 cm | Desks 72 cm and higher, per Flokk |
| 265 mm (optional) | 55.5–80.5 cm | Raised and sit-stand desks, counters; Flokk recommends glides |
Even the standard lift bottoms out at 47 cm, so shorter sitters can't simply wind it down: rest your feet on the footplates or choose the 150 mm lift. At around 185 cm, the standard lift tends to suit a 75 cm desk, with room to sit high on the footplates.
The 265 mm lift is for a sit-stand desk or a counter, where you perch in what Flokk calls a semi-standing position, feet on the footplates or Flokk's optional 45 cm FootRing.
The ribbing grips a shoe sole, but the metal edges are hard on bare feet.
Is the Capisco Puls 8020 comfortable for a full workday?
The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 suits a full workday only if you like a firm seat and keep changing position. The 8020's cushion is thin, with visible seams. It takes the hard edge off the plastic shell without making the seat plush, nothing wraps around you, and the hard backrest can press into your back a little.
The 8020's cushion is a separate upholstered layer over the shell, and Flokk lists it as removable.
Your legs part once you sit fully back on the saddle, so crossing them is awkward, and with the seat lowered its front edge digs into a crossed thigh; sitting cross-legged doesn't work either. A conventional ergonomic office chair tolerates those habits. The Capisco Puls expects you to sit square, which is no hardship if you already do.
The design trades padding for movement: rock on the tilt, slide the seat, turn sideways, or raise it and perch at a standing desk. If you'd rather sink in and stay put, our office chairs for long hours make a better shortlist.
How do you set up the Capisco Puls 8020's controls?
The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 has five controls, and most are easiest to set while you sit on it. On the left under the seat, the rear lever sets seat height and the front lever slides the seat through about 7 cm. The height lever tends to be stiff: pull firmly, with your weight on the seat, to go down.
Both levers lift to release; let go and the seat locks where it is.
Behind the backrest, a dark housing carries the height adjuster. Pull out the knob at its base, slide the backrest until its curve meets your lower back, and let go. The wings move with it, so this also sets where your hands rest.
Flokk gives about 9 cm of travel: the backrest's support point sits 13–22 cm above the seat.
On the right, a single lever locks the tilt: push it back to lock, forward to let the chair rock. If it won't catch, sit down, lean back slightly and try again. The ribbed knob under the middle of the seat sets how easily it rocks. Five controls isn't many, and once the height is right there's little left to adjust.
The lever has two positions in its stepped slot: back locks the tilt, forward frees it.
Capisco Puls 8020 or Herman Miller Embody: which suits you?
Choose the Herman Miller Embody if you want to lean back into a chair that wraps around you, and the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 if you want to perch and keep moving. The Embody's backrest follows the curve of your back with medium-soft give, and it adjusts more: a four-position recline limiter, Backfit, seat depth, and arm height and width. Our Embody comparison guide covers its support and sizing. The Capisco Puls is firmer, has no armrests and holds you more upright.
Size can flip the choice. Sitters under about 160 cm can find the Embody too big: sit fully back and the feet dangle, sit forward and the back loses contact. The Capisco's compact seat and backrest don't need filling, so it can suit a small frame better. Both chairs are on the floor at all three of our showrooms, alongside other Herman Miller chairs, so sit in them back to back.
What are the Capisco Puls 8020's real drawbacks?
Most of the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020's drawbacks come from the design that makes it work: a firm saddle, few adjustments and a wide metal base.
- The seat is firm; the 8020's cushion softens the shell's edge but adds little give.
- No armrests, lumbar adjuster or headrest, and the tilt stops at 15°, so it rocks rather than reclines.
- Crossing your legs or sitting cross-legged is awkward.
- The metal footplates reach beyond the seat with hard edges, so mind your toes in bare feet or slippers; the ribbing collects dust.
- The 73 cm base takes more floor space than its slim look suggests.
- Shorter sitters may need the 150 mm lift, as the standard one stops at 47 cm.
- If you're heavier or broad-shouldered, sit in it first or compare our big and tall office chairs: the seat is 46 cm wide and the backrest doesn't wrap your shoulders.
FAQ
What's the difference between the HÅG Capisco Puls 8010 and 8020?
The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 adds a removable upholstered cushion over the seat shell; the 8010 has only a small pad set into the shell. Frame, saddle shape, tilt and adjustments are otherwise the same, and Flokk lists the 8020's seat 1–1.5 cm higher on the same lift. Aussie Chair sells the 8020.
Does the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 have armrests?
No. The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 has no armrests. Instead, the winged backrest gives your hands somewhere to rest when you sit upright, and works as a chest rest when you straddle the chair facing backwards. Because the wings belong to the backrest, raising or lowering it moves them too.
Is the Capisco Puls 8020 good for a standing desk?
Yes, a raised desk is where the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 makes most sense. With Flokk's optional 265 mm gas lift the seat reaches 55.5–80.5 cm, so you can perch in a semi-standing position with your feet on the base's footplates. Flokk recommends glides with the taller lift.
Can you sit backwards on the HÅG Capisco Puls?
Yes. Straddle the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 facing the backrest, chest and arms on its wings, but first lock the tilt with the lever on the right under the seat; left free, the backrest moves under your weight. At a desk, check that the wings clear the edge.
Is the HÅG Capisco Puls suitable for children?
Flokk designs the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 as an office chair. Its seat is 46 cm wide, at least 40 cm deep and, on the standard lift, at least 47 cm high, and the footplates don't adjust. If a child will use it, check both feet reach the floor or a footplate, ideally at one of our showrooms.
Where can you sit in the HÅG Capisco Puls 8020?
The HÅG Capisco Puls 8020 is on the floor at all three of our showrooms. Our Sydney showrooms are in Alexandria (Shop 2/644 Botany Rd, Alexandria NSW) and South Granville (Unit 11, 46-50 Wellington Rd, South Granville NSW), and our Melbourne showroom is in Nunawading (Shop 1a/280 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading VIC). Compare it there with chairs from Herman Miller, LiberNovo, Sihoo, UE and HBADA, and bring your desk height, because it decides the gas lift. Book a visit or simply walk in during opening hours; our specialists Mick, Donald, Garrett and Kevin can set it to your height while you sit. We deliver across Australia.
