Best pc gaming pad attributes?

My partner's birthday is coming up and I'm getting him a new gaming pad (like a mousepad but bigger) for his desk because the one he has now is faded and gross. He likes it, but would appreciate a new one, and I'd like to get him one that will improve on the old one without losing the qualities that he enjoys about it. I don't want to "fix" what ain't broke and downgrade the experience.

I'm trying to surprise him and asking him questions about it will be a dead giveaway, so I'm crowd sourcing data here. The more the better!

What I'm struggling with is material choice and effectiveness. The one he has now is basically a giant cheap mousepad, complete with the design being worn off and the fabric peeling at the edges.

What I'd like to ask this community is:

1.) Do you personally prefer PU leather or fabric surfaces? Why?

2.) Have you found that certain features on gaming pads are worse functionality? Fancy edge stitching, cork bases, thickness, lights, etc.

3.) What is something that pleasantly surprised you about a gaming/mouse pad?

4.) Is tracking a concern here? I'd go all black or minimalistic design because that's his style, but if it's an optical mouse will that affect gaming precision?

5.) Honestly anything that comes to mind is useful, good or bad.

submitted by /u/YeySharpies
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