[pigsmakemesmile]

I think it's a matter of preference and easy cleaning. I layered my pen by using a solid base, then real old cotton towels with fleece on top. Then I placed placemats in the areas they spent more time laying on as this made it easier for me to keep the pen clean. Every other day I'd throw the old placemats into the machine for washing. It made having to wash the fleece less often. I also kept extra fleece for complete pen changes.The towels I used were pretty beat up but worked well. I personally found the placemats quite absorbent. I experimented often until I found what worked the best for both me and my piggies. I never bother cutting the fleese to fit the pen, I just folded it to the size of the pen. I did keep shavings in their hideys which were a couple of old cat carriers.