u/Inevitable-Bit-2243

I’m a relative newcomer to boots.

I recently got a pair of Ariat benchmade clantons. Beautiful boots. Lovely leather , gorgeous pattern. Great construction. I’m very happy!

They’re my first roper boots. They’re a smidge loose (solvable with socks) but I do notice they’re a bit ‘clumpy’. Heavier, compared to my full sized Tecovas. Is that typical for the roper style ?

And my real question is : are the benchmade James also ‘clumpy’ heavier boots (like the Clanton but with taller shaft and sloped heel) or are they a different sort of build?

Newbie just getting into boots. I have an international flight coming up. Concerned I’ll need to take boots off when going through security. Not easy ! I usually need a jack to get my boots off, and it will be a real struggle doing it without, especially in a queue of stressed people.

Probably my loosest boots are Ariat Benchmade Clantons but even those need a jack or an undignified struggle.

I was thinking of getting a zip pair - any recommendations? Ariat doesn’t do a bench made zip. Tecovas has the Dean. Or are zip boots a bad idea ?