Why Bring one? Tell me, have you ever slept on the floor? now take the nice thick carpet off and then sleep on the bare cement. It is very cold and uncomfortable. The pads are to keep your body off of the cold ground and to make your night much more comfortable.

What kind should I get? I use both a Therm-a-rest™ and an Insolite™ pad. Both are very comfortable and are worth the money. Actually, I didn't buy my pad, I cut it off a big roll that a friend of my dad happened to have. The Therm-a-rests™ are a little bit picky. They are susceptible to punctures and explosions.