Ariat Men's Heritage Roper Boot 11.5D

I always wanted to try wearing cowboy boots but never had a clue on how to get started. Where I live there are no stores that sell cowboy boots where you can try on different style and sizes. Besides I don't know what I'm looking for and don't know how to fit cowboy boots. Finally, prices for cowboy boots that are considered to be high quality seemed to be too expensive for something I knew nothing about. But today's world is far different from the world when I was a young man. Today there are online retailers that offer vast choices in manufacturers, price, models and sizes. There are manufacturers that offer price points from affordable to high quality life-long investments. And finally, there are online videos and blogs that give detailed information relating to sizing and fitting, and the different styles. I was looking for an affordable, good quality boot that was comfortable and stylish. Something that was more plain and not flamboyant. A boot that could be both fashionable for casual wear and rugged enough for outdoor work. The Ariat Heritage Roper in Distressed Brown checked all my boxes. The Roper style is perfect for the novice that wants something that is easier to put on and take off. I wear 9.5Wide for all my tactical boots, so I did the same for the Roper. The 9.5 was super comfortable and was easy to put on and take off. Walking was almost effortless. But there was chafing around the ankles and a loose fit at the top of my foot. Videos said that there should be a pop or whoosh when putting on the boot and it shouldn't be too easy to take off. The 9.5 had no whoosh and taking off was like taking off a slipper. So I returned it for a 9 Wide. The 9 fit snug around the ball and arch of my foot, maybe a little tight. But I knew that 9.5 was too loose. Putting on the boot produced a whoosh and taking off the boot required a healthy pull. Wasling around town today felt a little tight but comfortable enough. There was no rubbing and I don't think it will cause blisters. Overall, I am very pleased with the fit and finish of the boot. The only downside to the boot is that it has no goodyear welt. But that is a compromise between price and performance. The all-rubber sole gives the comfort and performance of a work boot and delivers at a low price. You get what you pay for. Online videos that show the Roper being rebuilt and taken apart shows that the sole is stitched onto the leather, so it's not connected with just cement. Unless that stitching comes apart, I do not expect the sole to separate from the shoe like some well-known hiking boots that will go unnamed. The leather and construction of this boots is of good quality. This is not a boot that just pretends to be rugged. It's a real honest boot that I am glad I purchased.