tips on properly explaining mousepad characteristics:

# surface texture

• abrasive / moderately abrasive / smooth - here we’re describing the actual weave used. like the most popular abrasive ones are jacquard and amundsen (though sometimes you could call them moderately abrasive too)
• skin and sleeve friendliness - how stuff glides, whether it catches on your sleeve and so on
• adhesion - your arm can practically stick to some fast smooth pads - stop in style and stuff

  

# friction forces

## dynamic friction (glide)

• resistance when the mouse is already moving
• the lower it is, the easier it keeps flying after you get it going

GOTTA FIX THE VIDEO LINK RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!!!!! remind me pls

## static friction (stopping)

• resistance when you start moving the mouse
• the higher it is, the easier it is to stop the mouse, but harder to get moving

# glide character

• muddy feel: high static + low dynamic friction == the mouse gets bogged down at the start, but glides pretty well afterwards
• consistent glide: minimal difference between static and dynamic friction

# speed rating (roughly)

• control: high static and dynamic resistance, often muddy, but not always, static clicking meta
• mid: moderate static and dynamic resistance, works for everything
• speed: low resistance, tracking heavy

you can play anything on any pad if you want to and have enough skill, it’s about general comfort and preference

# Balance across x/y axes

• whether there’s a difference between moving left-right and up-down
• ideally measure the x/y ratio (even cm/sec down a slope will do)

rare weaves like artisan k83 can have a nearly identical x/y ratio, but diagonal movements can differ

# durability

moisture resistance:

• a moisture absorption test usually reflects how quickly the pad will get dirty from sweat and grime in general, so it’s worth doing.

# what to wash it with

• some pads are picky about cleaning products

# backing (base)

firmness:

• xsoft: squishes a lot, you can push it almost down to the desk
• soft: springy give you can feel
• mid: firm support, barely gives at all

# surface makeup

• weave type (tight, jacquard, hybrid, cordura, textured)
• material and edge stitching quality
• base material and how well it grips the desk

# comparative analysis

• comparison with other popular models (artisan, lgg, mgg, x-raypad)
• similarities in:
  • speed and glide character
  • how the texture feels
  • overall experience using it
• like: “similar to artisan raiden, but a little slower” or “feels like g-sr-se, but not as muddy”

# extra tips:

• test with different mouse skates for the full picture, it can turn out that
  • skates A are faster on pad X and slower on pad Y
  • skates B are faster on pad Y and slower on pad X
• glide character over time: for example some pads smooth out after a week and feel different
• what it suits best (arena shooters or angle-holding ones. Better for tracking, switching, clicking or an all-rounder)

# a good example

9Sanya’s spreadsheet