hard to say really. i think it's 50/50. i have never ever had a flat since i've been tubeless (except one time, it was my fault, i let the stans dry out). plenty of people have tubes and ride stuff with no problem. i do get to have a lower pressure in my tires without having to worry about pinch flats, so the lower pressure gives me a bit more on sand and rocky crap. i love my tubeless, but i wouldn't say "you gotta get it!!!"