I went to a BRU tonight to test some out, and all the ones under, say, $500 (for the glider alone, no ottoman) were very tiny! I am a pre-pregnancy size 6, yet I was shocked at how I barely had room to sit between the arms of the chair. I couldn't imagine my husband attempting to sit in one of them comfortably. Even the cute, little fully upholstered gliders seemed miniature!
I didn't want to spend $700 to get a glider and ottoman (and honestly don't have the budget for it), but I can't see how purchasing a smaller one, simply because it's cheaper, would be doing us any good.
Is this typical of what you have come across for non-fully upholstered gliders, and have you found a roomy one for under $500?
Re: Why are gliders so small?
I bought a beautiful used Dutalier for $6 with a maple wood frame. Cushion was in yuck condition so it's been thrown out and I have having one custom made for $145 from https://shop.nurturecenter.com/ who contracts out from Dutalier.
I recommend finding a Dutalier on Craigs List + ottoman too and going to the website and getting it covered in the fabric of your choice. They send swatches free too. It's a great deal and these gliders last forever as they are made of solid wood and not from China.
I got a glider ottoman combo from walmart.com. My husband is 6'5" and kinda husky and he fits into it and it rocks very smoothly. Shipping was $0.25 so all in all I spent less than $200 on it. hope that helps!
https://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8055637
I noticed this too, but the glider we purchased seems to be roomier than some of the others. I'm a size 14 now while pregnant and fit in it very comfortably and have room.
It's this one:
https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2878568
Did your husband actually sit in the gliders?
I am a pp size 10 and have super wide hips, and I just barely fit into them. My DH i s 6' tall and weighs 230lbs, so not a small guy by any means, and he fits into the glider just fine. Even though he's bigger than I am, his hips aren't wide like mine, and he loves them. I'd suggest getting your DH to try them out.