Low-friction coatings will transfer to mouse feet.

Yes, it happens.

Those slick new mousepads with a “speed coating” or “low-friction surface” are usually just a thin layer of resin or PTFE-like material sprayed on. Over time, that coating wears off onto the stock PTFE feet underneath your mouse. The transfer changes the interface between the pad and the feet, so a broken-in pair of mouse feet that had developed their own smooth glide will feel different — often faster at first, then inconsistent as the coating builds up unevenly.

It’s not permanent damage. You can clean the feet with a little isopropyl alcohol and restore the original feel. But if you’re someone who likes a consistent glide after hundreds of hours of use, this is annoying. Some pads are worse than others: hard-coated pads (like the original Glorious pads) are notorious for it. Cloth pads with a coating (like certain Artisan or Razer options) also do it, just slower.

If you want predictable, long-term consistency, skip the coated pads entirely and get a good uncoated cloth pad. Future You will thank you when your mouse feet still feel the same six months later.