Four and a half years ago I bought a 12' runner and two 8' runners for the main, split level hallway in my house. They were placed over tile without pads. After all that traffic, it was recommended that I keep the runners on my new wood floor. Over time, a slight fading of the color and thinning of the carpet is to be expected, but many who saw them thought they were a new addition to the remodel. Because the blue/gold Heritage Timeless Traditional went on super sale, I replaced them all and then also bought the 2'x3' for next to my patio door and a 2'3"x4' in front of the sink. I also bought another style of Safavieh rugs for a seating group and under a pool table. The quality for the price cannot be beat, and believe me, I have looked. They do shed quite a lot when new, but it is into the vacuum, not leaving or tracking lint on the adjacent floor. Other reviewers had trouble getting color matches for multiple carpet orders, but all of my new order were a perfect match to each other (they were deeper blue than my previous rugs but I preferred the richness). Unwrap the rugs before you make a color judgement. The edges appear lighter than when the carpet is rolled out. They flatten out almost instantly. On wood, the runners do move a bit but I am waiting to see if I really need the pads. Great purchase-- satisfied enough to be a test of time re-purchaser!