love this thick, warm rug. we did not get a pad for it,and it works great without it. it looks modern and stylish in our dining room. word of warning though, it sheds like crazy. it doesn't bother me too much because i habitually vacuum the house and don't walk indoors with shoes on, so the rug is rarely roughed. know that any wool rug, particularly something that isn't on the high-end, fully hand made, will shed.