Hard mousepads vs cloth mousepads: Cloth pads are gentler on PTFE skates and last longer

Hard pads (glass, plastic, metal) grind down PTFE skates faster due to their smooth but abrasive surface, requiring replacements every 3–6 months. Cloth pads, with their porous fabric, cushion the skates and allow them to last a year or more—sometimes two. The key difference is friction: hard pads offer less inherent friction but hone the PTFE away, while cloth pads have softer resistance that preserves the skates.