Yes, thinner pads can make stopping harder.

A soft cloth pad’s thickness affects how much the mouse sinks in under pressure, which changes your friction profile. With a very lightweight mouse (under 60g), you don’t have much mass to push down into the pad. On a thick, plush pad, you’re fighting more vertical give before you get lateral friction, so your stop distance actually increases at high speed. A thinner, denser cloth pad (like 2-3mm) gives a firmer, more consistent surface that the mouse can brake against immediately.

The bigger factor is usually the pad’s weave and surface texture, but thickness matters when you’re slamming that mouse around. If you’re a high-sens flicker, go thin and firm. Low-sens? You can get away with a little cushion.

Don’t overthink it—swap the pad thickness before you start chasing glide coatings.