[joeld42]

Another cheaper option is a standing desk with a high office chair. I used one of these for about two years and it did make a positive difference. You can stand or sit and it costs no more than a regular desk. (My workplace uses desks from Ikea, they are cheap and comfortable)

Unfortunately, I like to switch between 'sit', 'stand' and 'slouch'; slouch being reserved for when I'm really "in the zone". I missed that option and eventually went back to a sitting desk. I'd love to try one of these mechanical ones.

[dasboot]

The slouching when in the zone is true for me as well, which is why the pure standing or standing / tall sitting are not a good option for me personally. They just kill certain types of productivity.

Adjustable sit-stand desks are just unbeatable in terms of being least disruptive. Whether the cost can be reasonably written off as an investment in better health and productivity really depends. Long term, I think it's very worth it, but the initial cost does sting somewhat.

[bitwize]

What about standing desk + high bar stool style seat to rest your ass on?

My dad's drafting table setup was similar to this.

[dasboot]

I've played with that setup as well and it works ok, but not great.

One problem is that the bar stools are hard to get on and then move to be positioned properly.

Another problem is that leaning against the edge often doesn't work well, because a) the chair keeps slipping back and b) you rest your butt on a narrow edge which presses on nerves, blood vessels and bones, making it very uncomfortable.

I've tried lab stools, ironing chairs, bar stools, etc. and the problems are similar. Drafting chairs could work, but are too short for me - made for tall sitting desks (drafting table), not standing height.

I can think of two potentially comfortable solutions I haven't really tried yet:

1. A thick, padded round bar like they have on the London tube and other trains to lean against. This could be mounted on a wall, which eliminates the sliding away problem.

2. There are (expensive) saddle chairs - where you sit upright on a wide and split bicycle type seat that puts you at ergonomically healthier angles (135 degrees from thigh to back instead of 90 degrees of "normal" sitting). No leaning/slouching possible on those though. Further problem: Sitting on your reproductive organs for long hours may be uncomfortable and unhealthy.