A few thoughts about gel mouse pads, mouse wrist rests and large heavy mice

[191x7]

The gel cushions on mousepads or "mouse wrist rest" do way more harm than good.

 

The worst thing you can do to your wrist is to have it lay and move on a hard surface, especially a bump or edge.

You get more friction, heat, and compression on the part of the hand where absolutely shouldn't be any.

Gel mouse pads provide short-term comfort (after adjustment) but they do damage to the wrist and the carpal tunnel area.

If you're using a gel mouse pad or a mouse wrist rest, you've been doing more damage to your wrist.

 

A keyboard wrist rest, on the other hand, is a great tool because your hands don't move when typing like your hand does when using the mouse.

Friction is a bad thing.

 

The mouse surface (pad) should be flat, with no edges that can cause discomfort or damage, and it should be comfortable.

Simply put, that means a large thick cloth-type pad that doesn't move around on the table. 4-6mm of thickness.

Examples - SteelSeries Qck Heavy, Cooler Master Storm Speed RX, HyperX Pulsefire, ...

 

As for the mouse, avoid a large and heavy mouse. Such a mouse usually forces the hand to use the palm grip.

The palm grip is known as a grip that feels comfortable (resting the whole hand on a large mouse) but limits the range of movement AND causes wrist-related problems to arise if using the mouse for a long time. The palm grip is not the natural resting position of the hand. And the hands are less strained when holding something smaller than something which fills the whole hand (or bigger). Try grabbing something, you'll find it easier to grab something smaller. Try a tennis ball and a table tennis ball. And heavier mice require more force to move. Add "more force needed" to the palm grip and you get a really bad combination of a poor grip style and more pressure on the hand while doing movement.

 

The mouse should be lightweight (new research points at under 100g, preferably under 80g) and shaped so it does not force a bad grip on the user.

Holding it with your fingers is more natural and precise. Less damaging on the hand too.

 

If you have a carpal tunnel issue or a RSI caused by using the PC and/or devices, you can try using a vertical mouse for a few weeks or months, to have your arm heal a bit. Just a cheap one. And don't overuse it.

Maybe a vertical mouse for surfing and such, and a good mouse for gaming.

 

 

[SorryBella]

21 minutes ago, 191x7 said:

The mouse surface (pad) should be flat, with no edges that can cause discomfort or damage, and it should be comfortable.

Simply put, that means a large thick cloth-type pad that doesn't move around on the table. 4-6mm of thickness.

Examples - SteelSeries Qck Heavy, Cooler Master Storm Speed RX, HyperX Pulsefire, ...

Now that I think about it, what about Artisan FX XSoft line? The plush is similar to those dumb gel wrist rest mousepad (I agree that I find those FAR LESS COMFORTABLE than just mousing on straight hard surface even), but they're throughout the entire surface by putting a buffer "foam" between their hand knit surface and poron base. Its not meant to be used for cushioning like on those wrist rest pad, but they're used to help with mechanical stopping power right out of tracking a target. How bad would they affect your wrist health compared to a more normal base?

[191x7]

2 minutes ago, SorryBella said:

Now that I think about it, what about Artisan FX XSoft line? The plush is similar to those dumb gel wrist rest mousepad (I agree that I find those FAR LESS COMFORTABLE than just mousing on straight hard surface even), but they're throughout the entire surface by putting a buffer "foam" between their hand knit surface and poron base. Its not meant to be used for cushioning like on those wrist rest pad, but they're used to help with mechanical stopping power right out of tracking a target. How bad would they affect your wrist health compared to a more normal base?

Probably not at all, unless using a heavy mouse and pressing hard on the surface. Those should be pretty comfortable. Also, great tracking.

 

Any softer pad is "more geared for control and stopping power" cause you can easily increase the friction by pressing the mouse onto the surface.

The only other way to add more control is to make the surface rougher (and also eat the mouse feet faster).

 

Speed pads are sometimes considered better cause they offer less friction for the hand. But a simple gaming sleeve (or a cycling sleeve) can solve that too.

Or simply using a long sleeve shirt.

[SorryBella]

1 minute ago, 191x7 said:

Speed pads are sometimes considered better cause they offer less friction for the hand.

Still depends on the pad, Hien is famously coarse and i personally got pretty bad skin rash sometimes from how coarse Razer Strider is.

[191x7]

1 hour ago, SorryBella said:

Still depends on the pad, Hien is famously coarse and i personally got pretty bad skin rash sometimes from how coarse Razer Strider is.

I agree. It depends on the pad (not just the top layer).

[Doobeedoo]

They're all ridiculous. 

[Exoskeleton sarcophagus]

 

On 8/8/2023 at 7:17 AM, 191x7 said:

A keyboard wrist rest, on the other hand, is a great tool because your hands don't move when typing like your hand does when using the mouse.

Friction is a bad thing.

Actually your hands should be moving as you type. Your hands should float over the keyboard and your wrists should be straight at all times. Keyboard wrist rests are a huge cause of RSI because they restrict blood flow. You’ll see people claim they’re a “palm” rest to compensate for that, but that just means you end up bending your wrists at awkward angles and cause RSI over time as well. 
 

They’re a bad replacement for good posture and do more harm than good. 

[Geneleco]

On 8/8/2023 at 1:17 PM, 191x7 said:

You get more friction, heat, and compression on the part of the hand where absolutely shouldn't be any.

Based on what?

On 8/8/2023 at 1:17 PM, 191x7 said:

The palm grip is not the natural resting position of the hand

What is a natural postion for the wrist?

On 8/8/2023 at 1:17 PM, 191x7 said:

If you have a carpal tunnel issue or a RSI caused by using the PC and/or devices, you can try using a vertical mouse for a few weeks or months, to have your arm heal a bit. Just a cheap one. And don't overuse it.

Maybe a vertical mouse for surfing and such, and a good mouse for gaming.

This i agree with, if you get a new shape it will change how things feel, and that might be good or bad, but it def takes some time to adjust.

For the rest you really need to post some research that backs up your statements.