5 Things to Know About Hard Mousepads and PTFE Skates

Hard mousepads wear down PTFE skates faster Non-porous hard pads made of glass, plastic, or metal have a smooth but abrasive surface that grinds PTFE down quickly.

Expect to replace skates every 3–6 months on hard pads Regular use on a hard surface will wear through PTFE skates in this timeframe.

Cloth pads are much gentler on skates The porous fabric fibers cushion the skates, causing slower wear compared to hard surfaces.

Skates can last a year or more on cloth pads On a good cloth pad, PTFE skates often last one to two years before needing replacement.

Friction difference explains the wear rate Hard pads have less inherent friction, so the sliding motion hones PTFE away. Cloth pads offer softer resistance that doesn’t erode skates as aggressively.