Get a Cordura pad if you live in the tropics.

Yes. A hybrid mousepad with Cordura fabric stays consistent in high humidity, while traditional cloth pads turn into a sticky mess.

Standard cloth pads are basically fabric sponges. They absorb moisture from the air and your hand sweat. In humid conditions, the surface gets tacky, the glide slows down, and your mouse feels like it’s pushing through oatmeal. I’ve had cloth pads go from smooth to sluggish in a single muggy afternoon.

Cordura is a woven nylon that doesn’t absorb moisture. The glide stays the same whether it’s 30% or 90% humidity. It also cleans easily—just wipe it down—and lasts longer because the surface doesn’t fray or pill. The tradeoff is texture: Cordura feels rougher, more like a fast hard pad, so if you prefer the plush, soft glide of cloth, you might not like it. But if your main concern is consistency in bad weather, it’s the better choice.

A cloth pad is fine for air-conditioned offices. For anywhere you actually sweat, spend the extra $20.