What do you feel under your feet on a carpet?

The correct answer is that you feel face fiber under your feet on a carpet. Face fiber refers to the surface material of the carpet, which consists of yarns or fibers that are visible and provide the texture and appearance of the carpet. When you walk on a carpet, it is the face fiber that comes into contact with your feet, allowing you to feel its softness, resilience, and warmth.

Carpet constructions, whether cut pile or loop pile, are primarily made up of the face fiber that gives the carpet its aesthetic quality and comfort. The type of face fiber can also impact the carpet's durability and feel underfoot, as different materials (like nylon, polyester, or wool) will yield different tactile experiences.

While pile height refers to the length of the fibers and can influence cushioning and appearance, it is not what you directly feel underfoot; rather, it contributes to the overall character of how the carpet looks and feels. Underlayment is a material placed beneath the carpet for added comfort or insulation, but it is not the direct surface you would feel. Lastly, backing is the layer that gives the carpet its structural support and stability, which is not typically felt underfoot when walking on the carpet itself.