Head-to-head · Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes

Brooks Addiction Walker 2 vs Brooks Ghost Max 2

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Brooks Addiction Walker 2 comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 3.7). The gap is mostly about Men who stand all day on hard or slick floors and need maximum structured support, especially with flat feet, overpronation, or plantar fasciitis. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes

Brooks Addiction Walker 2

4.3

1 source$139.95as of Aug 1

For all-day standing and structured support, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is the best shoe here. RunRepeat scored it 85/100 and says 'very few shoes offer as much support,' and Zappos buyers rate it 4.2/5 across more than 1,800 reviews. A full-grain leather upper, a slip-resistant SATRA-certified outsole, and a firm motion-control build make it a staple for nurses, service workers, and anyone with flat feet or plantar fasciitis. It comes in Wide (2E) and Extra Wide (4E). Expect weight, stiffness, and an old-school look.

Strengths

— Exceptional structured support — RunRepeat says very few shoes offer as much, ideal for flat feet and severe overpronation
— Offered in Medium (D), Wide (2E), and Extra Wide (4E), with a durable full-grain leather upper
— Slip-resistant outsole (SATRA TM144 certified) makes it a favorite for nurses and service workers on slick floors

Watch-outs

— Heavy at about 13.7 oz and stiff out of the box, with a roughly one-week break-in
— Full-grain leather upper is not breathable and overheats in warm climates
— Dated, orthopedic 'work shoe' look in basic colors

$139.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes

Brooks Ghost Max 2

3.7

2 sources1 derived$169.41as of Aug 1

The Brooks Ghost Max 2 is the roomy-toe-box cushion pick: a max-stack neutral shoe in Wide (2E) and Extra Wide (4E) that pairs plush DNA LOFT v3 foam with a smooth GlideRoll rocker. RunRepeat scored it 83/100; Believe in the Run was more measured at 10/15, noting a firmer but more responsive ride. It is a comfortable, dependable daily walker and one of the few shoes reviewers say takes orthotics well. The knocks are weight and softness over stability, and since the standard toe box is tapered, size into the wide build.

Strengths

— Max-cushion 39 mm heel stack of nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam for plush, protective comfort
— Offered in Medium (1D), Wide (2E), and Extra Wide (4E) — a strong pick for bunions, swelling, and wide feet
— GlideRoll rocker geometry smooths heel-to-toe transitions for a comfortable walking gait

Watch-outs

— Heavy — about 0.8 oz more than the original Ghost Max
— Softer foam makes it less stable and supportive than firmer walkers, and unsuited to faster running
— Standard (D) width has a tapered toe box; you need the 2E or 4E to open it up

$169.41 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Brooks Addiction Walker 2

The most work-ready shoe here, with a slip-resistant outsole and leather upper the running-style picks lack. Its motion control is comparable to the New Balance 928v3, though the 928v3 goes wider (up to 6E). It is firmer and far less cushioned than the HOKA Bondi 9 or Brooks Ghost Max 2 — a deliberate choice for support over softness.

Brooks Ghost Max 2

A plush, rockered everyday cushion shoe with a roomy wide toe box, but softer and less stable than the New Balance 928v3 or Brooks Addiction Walker 2. Reviewers pair it with the Saucony Echelon 10 as the two shoes designed for orthotics. It is lighter and more wearable casually than the dedicated walkers, but its review scores trail the HOKA Bondi 9.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Brooks Addiction Walker 2	Brooks Ghost Max 2
Weight	13.7 oz (388 g)	10.8 oz (306 g)
Heel-to-toe drop	12 mm	6 mm
Cushioning	BioMoGo DNA midsole	DNA LOFT v3 (nitrogen-infused)
Support	Motion control	Neutral + GlideRoll rocker
Width options	D (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide)	1D (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide)
Upper	Full-grain leather	—
Outsole	Slip-resistant rubber (SATRA TM144)	Blown rubber
Best use	All-day standing, work floors	Daily walking, long miles
Dimensions	10 x 15 x 6 inches; 2.3 Pounds	12 x 8 x 4.5 inches; 2 Pounds
Stack height	—	39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot

← See the full ranking of best men's wide walking shoes