QcK heavy with WinD of AE sticker is nice

edit: in all seriousness, are hardpads good for tracking? I've never actually tried one myself...

They are good but the constant having to keep them clean due to friction build up, if say you're playing for a few hours and have the heating on, your hands might get a little warmer than usual and you get like a thin film of sweaty build up. I've never really ever had a problem with them, it's just the loudness factor of it.

fuk softpadz
icematfrostpad4life

I wish I still had my icemat, that was legit, wasn't there someSswedish dude making them and sending them out?

finnish dude, frostpad. awesome, i'm glad i bought one just in time before he stopped his shop

ahh shit, guess I can look around here in the UK for a place that does frosted glass etc.

acid etched

For me 100% cloth pad. I use QCK Heavy and I had it for many many years surprisingly nothing bad has happened to it so I don't even know what the disadvantages are. It's easy to wash in the shower and if I remember correctly there is a thread on here how to clean it (I remember posting something). The foam in my eyes hasn't pancaked a millimeter since I owned it. Size is more than enough and I like the gliding grip it gives when you aim, The cloth layer is surprisingly smooth and high densed. It's my only pad and I hope it keeps performing.
I've had hard pads so I know the difference, Normally as you said they just layer the plastic either smooth or like sand paper and give it gimmick names like Control or Speed etc. It never made difference in the aim whichever side I used. Dust was still an issue and obviously cleaning it as often as a cloth pad but it doesn't take hours to dry, instead its instant usage. The plastic surprisingly unlike my cloth pad wore out so the grippy side was starting to become smooth and the smooth was super glazed. So the answer is no it won't last forever. I remember my palm feeling like pancake after long uses sometimes even red but that was probably when I use to game long hours. I think thats about it, I can't think of any other things to say about the differences. Most types are aluminium plate with what looks like printed plastic on top heh. I wonder if it can be unglued and replaced but the answer probably is not worth it price wise. Yes and most hard surfaces these days are double side usage unlike a cloth pad.
Well hope that helps but yes what people say is correct, Personal choice and it won't make difference in your aim as it just something you adjust to, get use to and overall forget about it over the years.

I'm happy the foam in your eyes hasn't pancaked, dr cocaine.