Lot to be said for that... I bought my first ever pad, a ridge rest, this winter for the SoCal deserts. In my younger days I spent 6 years on the road (all year) mostly around the mediterranean but even hitching across the USA. Never had a pad, just cheap (ex military) sleeping bags. Slept on a lot of beaches, woods, and wherever - if it rained I pulled a piece of gardening plastic over me - no tent or tarp.
After "settling down" I bought a better sleeping bag, then a tent which I only sleep in if it's raining or very cold - getting old I guess

Sure some nights the small hours of the morning were a bit cold - but that was part of life...

Too much comfort and specialty products around - getting hot, sweaty, wet, a bit cold, ain't so bad - just makes ya feel alive. ymmv