>>2208384Every time, yes. They aren't necessary, but they extend the life of your tent floor and ifyou get a reflective one, they will increase your sleep system temp at night.
You don't need to buy the exact footprint for your tent; just make your own. Get an all-weather blanket, cut it 1" larger than your tent footprint, then fold and tape all around the edges with duct tape for durability.