The rug is good for protecting a high traffic area.  It is thin as expected, so I bought the pad for a bit of cushion underneath.  The color is nice, perhaps slightly brighter than the photos depict.  It does come folded. According to the manufacturer,  the creases are supposed to flatten out in two weeks, I've had it longer than that length of time and it still has several bumps that I am hoping will flatten eventually.  I'm using it inside under my dining room table as the low profile makes it easier to slide the chairs in and out from under the table.  Overall, it is a nice rug for  a decent price.  It would also work very well as an outdoor rug where it would not even need a pad.