Bound edges vs overlock/serged edges: Bound edges last longer and are worth the extra cost

Bound edges wrap a separate fabric strip around the raw edge with multiple stitches, making them thicker and far more durable than overlock or serged edges, which use a single thread that unravels easily. Overlock/serged edges are cheap to manufacture and common on sub-$30 pads, but one snag can cause the whole edge to fray within months. For daily gaming or use, the extra $10-15 for a bound-edge pad saves you from replacing it sooner.