The seat is hard. When I bought the chair I asked the store representative if they can put the chair together as I do not have the strength to do it. He said yes.so I paid for the chair to be assembled but I am not sure if he gave me the store display when I picked it up . The seat in the black was soft but they did not have the black in stock so I bought the brown since it's the same model. Now I'm not so sure as I cannot return the chair.