Everyone carries a pump, don’t they? Racer-types might carry a CO2 canister to save weight and space, but even they will strap on a bigger pump for those long winter rides. Despite the reliability of tubeless systems these days, carrying an effective pump is still critical as it’s often possible to reinflate a plugged tubeless tyre.
The biggest reason for carrying a decent pump, though, is so you can get on with the rest of the ride. How many times have you watched one of your ride companions struggling with a teeny pump, while the rest of you stand around in the rain. It’s worth carrying a decent pump just for those ‘Oh, just give it here!’ occasions. You get to be the puncture-fixing hero of the day and you all get to be on your way.