Cloth mousepad lifespan?

[Mjolner]

I have an OCZ behemoth mousepad that I have been gaming on for about 5 months (it has seen use just about every day). The mouse no longer moves as smoothly over the most often used area of the pad (namely the middle and top), which leads me to believe it is wearing out. Washing it seemed to help a little bit temporarily, but it still has more friction. The center doesn't appear any different than the sides, but the moues (G700) definitely slides more smoothly on the far edges.
I have never used a serious gaming mousepad previously. Is this the typical lifespan of a cloth pad like the Behemoth? Is there anything I can do to make the surface smoother, or is it time to replace it? I would assume other pads (i.e. non cloth) are more durable, but many of those cost more than 3 or 4 behemoth pads, so i'm not sure if it makes sense to go that route either.

[Bearclaw]

All mousepads I've had are like that.

I've used Razer Destructor and Rocketfish Gaming Mousepad so it's not limited to soft ones.

[GtsXracer]

Really that it's? Only 5 months? I've had mine oh, just about to be one year now. The surface is still slick just how when I first got it. Some very light color fade on the orange here and there; but my G700 glides just how it used to right out of the box.

Not sure what would cause yours to wear out faster than mine. Taking in fact that it has many-many-countless hours of COD mw2, then BO, now BFBC2, soon to be BF3. Maybe because you washed it that caused it to wear out so fast? I never spilled anything or washed mine before.

hmm..

[Mjolner]

I have taken good care of mine and have tried to minimize the amount of dirt or crumbs that got on the pad. I have never spilled anything on it either. I only washed it after I noticed this to see if it was dirt causing it, but I guess it wasn't.
Funnily enough it apparently has a lifetime warranty, but I don't think a $9 mousepad is worth RMAing.

[GtsXracer]

it does? Learn something new everyday, didn't know that. At least call up OCZ and see how they would handle the RMA. If they will pay for it or not since it's such a small value item. If they pay for everything and ship you out a new one; I would do it

[Pommie]

I've had the same old blue basic mouse pad for 8 years now, still as good as the day I got it. Travels everywhere with me, starting to look a bit worse for wear, but still going strong!

[ViciousXUSMC]

I had a cheapy cloth pad with rubber bottom that last me over 4 years with daily use, I only finally got rid of it because it was white and I had almost stained it black from so much use.

Now i upgraded to higher grade stuff that is black in color and non of them have shown any wear.

I say your extremely aggressive to your mat or your mouse is giving way too much friction for some reason.

Maybe look at some teflon feet or other mouse accessory that goes on the mouse to make it slide easier.

[Mjolner]

Its not the G700 causing the friction; its feet are very smooth and it works well on the parts of the mousepad that are less used.

[Mastershroom]

It sounds like maybe you press down on your mouse too hard.

[Mjolner]

It sounds like maybe you press down on your mouse too hard.

No that isn't it; I apply barely any force to my mouse when I am using it.