Cork mousepads don't do well in humidity.

Yes, high humidity swells cork and screws up mouse tracking. Cork is basically compressed tree bark — it’s porous and soaks up moisture like a sponge. Above 80% humidity, the cork absorbs water vapor, expands unevenly, and the surface gets bumpy and wavy.

That uneven surface means your mouse sensor (optical or laser) stops getting consistent reflections. You’ll see cursor jumps, stutter, or lost tracking. It’s not a subtle “feels a bit different” thing — it can make the pad nearly unusable.

If you live somewhere humid or it’s summer, keep your cork pad in a dry room or switch to a cloth or hard plastic pad. Cork is great for aesthetics and wrist comfort, but it’s not built for moisture.