Hard plastic mousepads vs cloth mousepads: Hard pads wear out PTFE skates faster, cloth pads are gentler but wear out themselves

Hard plastic surfaces are more abrasive than cloth, so your mouse feet wear down noticeably sooner—you might see flattening within months. Cloth pads have fibers that give and trap less grit, making them gentler on skates but prone to collecting grime and wearing out themselves. Hard pads offer lower friction and consistent glide for competitive gaming, but you’ll need to replace skates every few months.