Leather mousepads get sticky with sweaty hands.

Yes, they do. Both real leather and faux leather have this problem.

The issue is that leather isn’t breathable. Your palm and wrist sweat, even if you don’t notice. That moisture sits on the surface, mixes with skin oils, and turns into a tacky film. Over time it gets worse. Humidity makes it happen faster.

Cheap faux leather is the worst offender—it’s basically plastic-coated fabric. Real leather handles it slightly better but still isn’t great. Some high-end leather mousepads have a coating that resists moisture, but they still feel sticky after a few hours of use.

If you have sweaty hands or live in a humid place, skip leather. Cloth mousepads absorb sweat and stay dry to the touch. Hard surfaces like plastic or glass don’t get sticky at all.

Get a cloth pad instead. Your wrist will thank you.