When I was a kid my mom said to me “Ron, you can’t have a beanbag chair. The damned things rip and then I’ll be chasing those little beads forever” and she was 100% right. Her being a single mom, I completely understand that my desire for a plushy chair was trumped by the potential amount of time that she just didn’t have to clean up the inevitable mess. Put simply, the 20 dollar bean bag chairs from Walmart or the like are just worth what you paid for them.
As I became an adult I started to go back and fill in some of those gaps in stuff I never got as a kid. First it was the RC Helicopter, then it was some G1 Transformers, a Robotech box set, and then finally it was time to start looking at bean bag chairs. It wasn’t too long after I started mentioning to my wife that I wanted a beanbag chair that I heard something familiar from my wife – “Ron, the dogs will shred a beanbag chair – we’d never stop chasing those stupid little beads”. The Sumo Omni had its work cut out for it.
Ripping it apart
The Omni is big. Damned big. In fact, it’s 4.5′ x 5.5′ and weights in at nearly 20lbs. The reason for the weight (and it really is pretty light) is its oh-so-sexy exterior. Made entirely of ballistic nylon, the Omni redefines the world ‘durable’. Ballistic nylon is PVC coated which makes it stainproof and essentiallly impossible to cut. (Don’t take the word ballistic to mean that it’s somehow bulletproof – that would be a tragically stupid mistake) The corners are gusseted with reinforced stitching so there won’t be any tearing across those seams either. There is one area where you do have access to the bag’s innards – the top.
The top of the bag is sealed via a velcro strip measuring 2″. Put simply, there is no way you are going to accidentally open this bag – the double-seamed edges ensure that. In fact, there are a lot “you will not” items associated with the Sumo. You won’t accidentally rip it, you won’t puncture it, you won’t stain it (Still, keep your Cheeto-hands away from it), you won’t break a zipper (there aren’t any to break), and you won’t be making a mess. I have three terriers that have made the Sumo their unofficial home and I will never have to worry about them shredding it – even when Mr. Loki (or in the picture, Sparky) decides to ‘soften’ it before he goes to sleep. In terms of durability, there is no equal.
Kindle Fire and Late Night Gaming
Being in this line of work it’s pretty clear that I occasionally have to clock some serious hours gaming. That means late nights in front of the TV, controller in hand, as well as a great deal of time reading. It is in both of these activities that the Sumo Omni is absolutely pure evil. As I settle into the bag and adjust until I find just the right position, I find myself
falling asleep, which isn’t conducive to getting anything done. The bag isn’t overfull like the cheaper varieties, so it gives and conforms to your body, making for a comfortable space for longer periods of time. Joking aside, I’ve spend a good amount of time in a single sitting in this chair. My wife has problems with her back, and the way it conforms to the body is very helpful in alleviating pressure points along her spine. Let me assure you that $149.99 is a small price to pay to help her be comfortable.
Aesthetically speaking, the black Omni blends in nicely with all but he most plaid decor. With 10 colors ranging from hot pink, neon orange, and lime grean all the way to black, there is a better than average chance that you can a.) find a color that matches, or b.) find a color so glaringly ugly as to fit in your college dorm. The great part is that the ballistic nylon is so easy to clean (warm water, a little soap, and a rag) that it’ll stay that way as well.
Welcome to my living room
I honestly expected my wife to shun the Omni from our living room, but in fact she had me move it just in front of our couch. Since I get a little fidgety and often move from the couch to the floor, with the Omni I suddenly find myself a little less antsy. As I write this I’ve got my laptop on my lap watching the Breaking Bad season 5 premier, sitting comfortable in my new chair. As it happens, I still suck at flying the RC Helicopter, my G1 Transformers collect dust on my desk, I’ve watched and shelved my Robotech box set, but I finally have the bean bag chair I’ve always wanted. Much like a new monitor, a new mouse, or a new set of speakers can make all of your games awesome, the Omni can make all of your relax time that much more relaxing. Buy one…your butt will thank you.
PROS:
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CONS:
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