I bought this to replace my 9-year old mouse pad just like it. I had tape holding the gel in...because it started leaking out and making everything gooey. So...in trying to open newly purchase one the packaging was practically IMPOSSIBLE for me to open and I accidentally knicked the new mouse pad in the gel area so it started leaking gel immediately. So now I have a new one and it’s already patched up with Gorilla Tape. Not happy that this happened and I don’t think this item needs to be wrapped in such heavy plastic. Don’t understand why it’s packaged like that. That being said I do really like this gel pad. Great for the wrist.