The Inflatable "Slouchback" Is No Slouch

The Slouchback, its founders hope, is no less than a new way to sit. Presumably spurred by aching backs after leaning on cinder blocks in their dorm rooms, some recent college graduates teamed up to produce the Slouchback, a high quality inflatable backer that turns any surface into something resembling a couch. It's been on sale since August on its website, and is making its way into college bookstores across the country.

I took the Slouchback for a test drive to see whether it stood up to, well, sitting down. (I tried as best I could to simulate a college student's grueling lifestyle. Yes, I even bellyflopped onto it.)



A built-in pump inflates the Slouchback quickly and quietly; deflation is just as simple. (When deflated, the 8-pound Slouchback fits into a bag about the size of a grocery bag that comes with it.) Even better, unlike my air mattress, the Slouchback won't slowly lose air.

The machine-washable microsuede cover is comfortably soft, but not so thick that you forget you're leaning on something inflatable. When I met with Slouchback's founder and CEO, Andrew Goetting, he acknowledged that inflatable furniture won't ever be featured in Elle Decor, but said he hoped to counter people's negative perceptions by using quality materials to create "the Mercedes of inflatable furniture." Besides, he said, it's sitting on air that sucks, not reclining on it. By putting the Slouchback on a dorm bed or day bed, people get the benefits of pop-up furniture without the downsides. And you know what? He's right. The Slouchback does what it says; it's just a matter or whether you ever encounter cinder blocks.

The Slouchback has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and I found that the product held up to all its claims--even the one about inflating and deflating in 30 seconds. It comes in navy, tan, brown, and garish pink, red and blue and, in case you forgot that it was originally marketed solely to college students, it has two build-in can holders. The Slouchback is available here for $99.99 with free shipping, but it's worth Googling around for a coupon code, as the site frequently runs promotions. Code "FRESHOME" seems to be working now for 10% off.