Natural rubber handles cold better than synthetic.

Yes, rubber bases can get brittle and crack in extreme cold—especially the synthetic ones. Natural rubber stays flexible down to much lower temperatures.

The difference comes down to material science. Natural rubber has a lower glass transition temperature (the point where it goes stiff and brittle) than most common synthetic rubbers like SBR or neoprene. Below about -20°F, synthetic blends start losing flexibility and can crack if bent or stressed. Natural rubber can handle -40°F without shattering.

Most cheap mousepads use a synthetic sponge rubber or PVC base because it’s cheaper to manufacture. If you’re planning to use a mousepad outdoors in winter, look for one specifically labeled with a natural rubber base. It’ll cost more, but it won’t turn into a frisbee after one frosty morning.

Don’t cheap out on a mousepad if you’re working outside this winter.