The object of the invention is to provide a papermaking felt which can be easily engaged in a papermaking machine, wherein the work time for engaging the felt is short, the initial warming-up period until reaching the highest papermaking speed is short, and the felt life is long.
This object is achieved by integrating and attaching by dispersion in the batt layer of the felt a polymeric elastomer having high deformability when pressure is applied and good recoverability after pressure is applied.
When said polymeric elastomer is in the form of a film and when measured at a room temperature of 20° C. and a relative humidity of 65%, the 100% modulus value of the film is 1 to 100 kg/cm2, the residual strain after 100% elongation is 30% or less, and the attached amount of polymeric elastomers is 0.5 to 20 wt. % of the papermaking press felt weight. Examples of materials include polyurethane elastomers, polyethylene elastomers, styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, or the like.