A typical workday can feel very tiring when you don't have a footrest under your desk. Hence, it's imperative that you get one to make your life just a bit more comfortable. There are many options available on the market, and finding the most suitable one can be tough. Unless, of course, you know exactly what to look for. Here are a few essential features that you should look for in a footrest to ensure it can offer the best support and comfort to your legs and feet.
The Essential Features of a Footrest
Ergonomic design
Getting a footrest that features an ergonomic design is absolutely essential, as the goal is to enhance your comfort. Usually, footrests can tilt 30-degrees back and forth, but this feature is usually offered in mechanical footrests. The foam-based options usually have a fixed arch and offer zero angle adjustability.
If you would like to stretch out your legs without taking your feet off the footrest, then you should definitely opt for the mechanical kind as they have a tiltable surface that allows you to do just that. However, if you need a footrest that has a fixed angle, then a foam-based option is the way to go. The choice you make depends entirely on your preference.
Texture
Try getting a footrest that offers a ribbed or dotted texture on the surface as you can massage your feet on it whenever you feel like destressing during the workday. Also, a textured surface prevents your feet from sliding off the surface, making it an essential feature to have in a footrest.
Height adjustability
While reviewing the products above, we highlighted the height adjustment factor in all of them. It is a crucial feature that all footrest options offer because there is really no point of a footrest if your feet cannot comfortably rest on it, right?
Usually, mechanical footrests offer three height options that you can adjust manually, while foam-based footrests offer up to two height options that can be adjusted with the help of a detachable base. Some footrests offer no height adjustability, so you should only get those if they have a height that is appropriate for your needs. A footrest that offers zero height adjustability is usually only suitable for users who have a height-adjustable seat, for obvious reasons.
Robustness
The whole point of a footrest is to keep your feet firmly planted on the surface without the risk of it breaking apart or wobbling, so whichever option you choose must be sturdy enough to comfortably withstand the constant burden of your legs and feet. There are a couple factors that contribute to the robustness of a footrest, including design, and material type and quality. You must ensure that a footrest checks both of these boxes before buying one.
The design of a footrest will dictate how well it can support the weight of your legs and feet. A footrest with a large base can disperse weight very efficiently, while one with a thick frame will require a lot of effort to break. So make sure the one you choose has a large surface area and a thick frame.
Footrests are most commonly made of plastic, metal, or foam materials. Out of these three, the plastic ones are the most prone to breakage, although more recent options are made with high-quality plastic materials that make them very durable. Also, plastic-made options are generally cheaper than the metal ones, so they are definitely an appealing option. But, if you get a metallic footrest, then you are making an investment for sure as they are bound to last a long time.
If you're a firm believer of the fact that anything with moving parts is bound to break at some point, then foam-based footrests are definitely made for you. Foam-based footrests naturally have a high weight tolerance, obviously, so you don't need to worry about robustness with them at all.
Portability
Although a large-sized footrest might seem like a good idea as it provides more surface area for you to rest your feet on, it is best to choose one with a smaller size as that one would be easier to fit inside your backpack.
A footrest should be compact and lightweight so you can carry it anywhere with you. Many people want to invest in one high-quality footrest that they can keep moving between home and office, and a portable option allows them to do just that. To enhance portability, some footrests also offer a carrying handle that makes them very easy to move.
Also, if you pick a metallic footrest, then you must bear in mind that it's bound to be on the heavier side compared to a plastic or foam-based footrest. Hence, if portability is important to you, then perhaps you are better off with a plastic or foam-based footrest.
People Also Asked
Q: At what angle should I place my feet on the footrest?
A: There is no specific angle that is ideal for placing your feet on a footrest. Getting a footrest that allows you to adjust the angle is ideal, as you can set it at an angle that feels most comfortable and supportive.
Q: Are footrests worth it?
A: If you have a desk job and sit in the same chair for 8 hours a day, then you should definitely consider getting a footrest as it will provide essential support to your legs and feet to reduce fatigue and prevent the onset of lower-back pain.
Q: What is the difference between static and dynamic footrests?
A: A static footrest stabilizes your feet in one position, while a dynamic footrest allows you to stretch your legs and feet on the footrest as it has a unique design that enables the surface to rock back and forth with your feet.