Mouse pads may not be a particularly exotic or high-tech topic, but even so you sometimes can find something that just makes sense in a nice way.
The Razer Kabuto Mobile Mouse Mat is an ultralight mat that so thin and portable that it also doubles nicely as a screen protector.
The mat itself is about 11 x 7 2/3 inches -- not large but also not too small.
It has a soft microfiber tracking surface for precice manipulation, and is backed with high grip rubber base that holds its place securely on textured or smooth surfaces.
The mouse moves smoothly but with control, and the mat surface is also very comfortable for your hand.
When it's time to move out, I lay the mat over the keyboard of my laptop to cushion and protect the display. It's so thin that the laptop closes and sleeps as if it was not there. You also can roll up the mat to pack for travel.
The Kabuto Mouse Mat has worked well for me. It's functional, comfortable, attractive in its basic black, and available for around $18.
Find the Razer Kabuto Mobile Mouse Mat on Amazon.com