The Kampa Holkham 6 is designed to fit under the sewn in groundsheet of your outdoor tent to protect it from damage and to keep the base clean.
 
Not all pitches have a lot of space, so this tent footprint is also useful when you lay it down so you can figure out the best place to erect your tent.
 
Purchasing  a footprint may not be essential but we would strongly recommended it in order to help keep your new tent in as good as condition as possible.