Pad foot rollers, also known as sheepsfoot or tamping rollers, are used to compact materials such as silt and clay before putting in a road’s foundation. These rollers aren’t smooth, but instead come with tapered lugs or “feet” that allow the drum to knead the soil and compact the earth at greater depth. When you’re working on a project with fine soils or wet clay, the sheepsfoot roller makes the best choice. When needing to compact large, gradual surface areas, such as asphalt, sidewalks, and foundations, you should choose the efficiency of a smooth wheel roller.