Gateron Clear 35g
Gateron Clear 35g review: an ultra-light 35g linear with a polycarbonate top, nylon bottom and POM stem. Feel, sound, tuning and who it's for.
How it feels
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How it sounds
Full review
Quick Summary
The Gateron Clear 35g is an ultra-light linear built for people who want their keys to barely push back. With a 35g actuation force it’s one of the lightest mainstream switches you can buy, pairing a polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom with a POM stem for a smooth, slightly muted feel. It’s a specialist pick: ideal for fast typists and rapid-fire gaming, and a poor fit for anyone who rests their fingers on the keys.
Specs and Feel
This is a true linear with no bump or click, just a clean, uninterrupted 4mm travel that actuates at 2mm. The headline is the 35g spring, which makes the keypress feel almost weightless and lets the switch bottom out with the lightest press. The POM stem riding in a nylon bottom housing gives a smooth, rounded glide, while the polycarbonate top keeps the sound profile on the gentle, slightly clacky side rather than deep or thocky. Stem wobble is acceptable for the class, and stock smoothness is decent with only a faint trace of scratch on the downstroke. The one thing to internalise: at this weight, the line between resting and actuating is very small.
Tuning
A light hand-lube transforms it. Thin 205g0 on the stem rails removes the residual scratch, and a dab of 105 on the springs kills any ping. Films are optional given the relatively tight housing, but they tighten wobble if you’re chasing perfection.
Verdict
Buy the Gateron Clear 35g if you specifically want a featherweight linear and you type with a light, fast touch. It excels at speed and effortless actuation. Skip it if you’re a heavy typist or new to mechanical switches, because the low 35g spring makes accidental keypresses easy until you adapt. For the right hands, it’s a cheap, smooth, and genuinely distinctive option.
Frequently asked
How light is the Gateron Clear 35g really?
Very light. At 35g actuation it sits well below the ~45-50g comfort zone of most stock linears, which makes it one of the easiest switches to bottom out without effort. If you've only used standard reds or yellows, expect a notable adjustment period before your accuracy catches up.
Is the Gateron Clear 35g good for typing or just gaming?
It can do both, but the low weight favours fast, light-fingered typists and rapid actuation in games. Heavy-handed typists tend to trigger accidental keypresses on a switch this light, so it rewards a soft, deliberate touch.
Does the Gateron Clear 35g need lubing?
It's usable stock but benefits from a light hand-lube. A thin coat of 205g0 on the rails and a touch of 105 on the springs cleans up the minor scratch and tames spring ping, letting the smooth polycarbonate-and-nylon housing shine.
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