This new style does not compare to my older Rockport boots but it's still a very nice boot. Even though there is no zipper it was not difficult to get in. The color was very nice. I wouldn't call it beet because it was very little red in the purple color. It's actually more eggplant then beet color. They look much better than the black but I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep them. They heel is kinda high for a comfort walker but not in comparison to the other skyscrapers that are out there.