Heat softens rubber mousepads, but you likely won't notice.

Yes, technically. Rubber bases get softer when warm and stiffer when cold, which changes how the pad grips your desk and how the surface feels. But the effect is small unless you’re in extreme conditions.

If your room is 25°C (77°F) vs 35°C (95°F), the difference in glide is basically nonexistent for most people. The rubber compound used in most mousepads is designed to stay stable across normal indoor temperatures. You’d need to leave it in a hot car or near a radiator to really feel a change.

The bigger factor is humidity. If it’s muggy, the cloth surface can get slightly tacky, which affects glide more than base softness. That’s why some people complain about their mousepad feeling “slow” in summer – it’s moisture, not heat.

If you’re a competitive FPS player who notices every tiny friction change, sure, temperature might matter. For everyone else, don’t overthink it. Your mousepad is fine.