OK, this is embarrassing (†) but I didn't even realise there was an option other than manually editing the url to "old." :-| Your comment has probably done more for my productivity today than anything else that will happen — thanks!
(†) I'd like to put it down to only having tried it during that period of time you're referring to, so I will :)
I enjoy manually putting the old in Reddit url. It’s rare for me to need Reddit for actual productive needs and when I do, it’s usually going to a shorter thread of comments where I’m fine using the bad new interface in a pinch.
(†) I'd like to put it down to only having tried it during that period of time you're referring to, so I will :)