'Western style' boots are making somewhat of a comeback. They are stylish, rugged, and go great with jeans. I've owned western boots before, but this is my first 'slouch' style boot, and I absolutely love it!  It is comfortable and easier to walk with as compared to a harder leather upper that most boots have.  Oftentimes, you don't even feel that you're wearing a boot, which is fantastic.  And of course, black is easy to keep since all you need to do is shine it up with black shoe/boot polish once in a while to get rid of light scuff marks.  All in all, this is a quality, reasonably priced boot, and a winner!