Most Popular Budget Mousepads? ATK Mousepads Review

ATK Fabric Mousepads Review

The reviewer tested three ATK pads—Kong, Blaze, and 99G Carbon—in the largest size. ATK describes all three as balanced, but the reviewer’s assessment is more specific: Kong is balanced, Blaze is balanced-control, and 99G is a control pad. All three have smooth, skin-friendly microfiber surfaces.

Kong — 83/100

• Feel and performance: Smooth with some subtle texture. Versatile, with slightly stronger static than dynamic friction: suitable for flicks while still allowing smooth tracking. Its stopping power is moderate rather than pronounced.
• Comparison: Similar overall performance and friction to the LGG Saturn, though Kong feels smoother.
• Pros: Comfortable against skin, handles moisture reasonably well, easy to clean, and offers a good balance of control and glide.
• Cons: The reviewer’s forearm sometimes stuck to it when sweating, so it was not reliably sleeve-friendly. Weave alignment is imperfect, and the Y-axis feels more textured than the X-axis.

99G Carbon — 80/100

• Feel and performance: Soft, smooth, and controlled, with noticeable but unobtrusive stopping power. High friction favors static control; micro-adjustments can be difficult with a heavier mouse.
• Comparison: Similar in feel and use to the Matrova Shadow Hunt. The 99G is slightly faster and has more noticeable surface texture, while the Shadow Hunt has more dynamic friction.
• Pros: Comfortable surface and deliberate stopping power that the reviewer found controlled rather than jerky. Usable with at least one tested sleeve.
• Cons: Sweat makes the surface noticeably stickier. It is harder to clean than Kong, with tiny debris sometimes catching in the weave. The X and Y axes differ, including more dynamic friction on the Y-axis. The reviewer recommends a lighter mouse and faster skates.

The basic 99G uses a rubber base; the reviewer chose the Carbon version to compare it with the other pads’ polyurethane bases.

Blaze — 82/100

• Feel and performance: Smooth, with higher initial static friction and good support for flicks and micro-adjustments. Light gliding feels relatively free, but pressing harder produces variable stopping power. The Y-axis has stronger texture and “engagement” than the X-axis.
• Comparison: Closest to the Razer Gigantus V2 in friction and performance, but Blaze has a much softer base and slightly less surface texture. The reviewer describes it as a smoother Gigantus.
• Pros: Well suited to Valorant, CS, and other games emphasizing flicks or horizontal movement. The reviewer had no humidity-related performance issue and found small debris did not affect glide.
• Cons: Sweat increases the surface’s grip, and the forearm may rub or stick without a sleeve. It readily collects fabric fibers, which may need to be removed with tweezers. The reviewer especially recommends using a sleeve with this pad.

Shared Construction and Quality

• The Korean polyurethane base is rated X-soft. ATK specifies 4 mm thickness; the reviewer measured 4.3 mm overall. It grips the desk moderately well and stays put during play, but its rebound is slower and weaker than comparable polyurethane bases.
• Softness is generally even, though small air pockets and bumps were present. These were not noticeable in normal play.
• The pads measure 49 × 42 cm. Their stitching is wide—about 3.3 mm—soft against the forearm, and slightly below the surface, though it does not sit flush with the base. The reviewer noticed little edge interference and no significant fraying, but some fluffiness and minor wear.
• Surface speed was consistent across each pad, and none had a coating. Weave alignment was the main quality weakness.
• The reviewer also found a possibly damaged patch on the Blaze but could not determine whether it came from manufacturing or shipping.
• Each pad has a wax logo in the lower-right corner. It is unobtrusive in placement but can be felt under the mouse or palm.

Buying Experience and Verdict

Each pad cost $20, or about $25 including shipping for the reviewer; shipping is not a fixed rate. The order arrived fairly quickly once shipped and was well packaged, with no creases, though some package corners were wrinkled. Tracking was delayed, and no accessories were included.

The reviewer praised ATK’s active Discord support and community, giveaways, and founder interaction.

Overall: The reviewer recommends all three for people seeking skin-friendly cloth surfaces, with the choice depending on the desired level of control:

• Kong for balanced use
• Blaze for balanced-control and flick-focused play
• 99G for more deliberate control

Buying several together may be worthwhile for switching surfaces by game. The reviewer would buy from ATK again.

Speaker perspectives: One reviewer provides all assessments and ratings; no other speakers contribute.