Cordura wins for durability and consistent glide.

Go with Cordura.

Traditional cloth pads feel great at first, but after six months of daily use the glide gets muddy. Oils and dust settle into the weave, and the surface feels inconsistent no matter how much you wash it. Hard plastic pads start smooth but eventually develop shiny spots where your mouse has worn a groove. The glide changes. Some pads even get scratchy.

Cordura fabric holds up better than both. It’s woven nylon – the same stuff used in backpacks and tactical gear. The surface is resistant to wear, doesn’t absorb oils, and wipes clean with a damp cloth. Glide consistency stays within a narrow range for well over a year. It’s not as plush as cloth or as slick as fresh plastic, but it doesn’t degrade the way those materials do. The trade-off is texture: Cordura can feel rough on your forearm if you have sensitive skin. But for pure balance of durability and consistent glide, it’s the clearest choice.

You might need a sleeve, but you won’t need a new pad.