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

Brooks Addiction Walker 2 vs HOKA Bondi 9

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

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The short answer

Brooks Addiction Walker 2 and HOKA Bondi 9 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Brooks Addiction Walker 2
Ranked #2 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes
Brooks Addiction Walker 2
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 AmazonFull review →
HOKA Bondi 9
Ranked #1 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes
HOKA Bondi 9
1 source$169.88as of Aug 1

The Bondi 9 tops this page because it comes in Wide (2E) and X-Wide (4E) as well as regular, so the deepest cushioning in the category is actually available to wide feet. RunRepeat scored it 86 out of 100 and rated it lighter and more durable than the Bondi 8 it replaces. The standard D width runs narrow, so size into the wider last.

Strengths
  • — Offered in Regular (D), Wide (2E), and X-Wide (4E), so wide and extra-wide feet get the same plush ride as everyone else
  • — Deepest cushioning of any shoe here — a 43 mm heel stack of supercritical EVA that takes pressure off the heel and plantar fascia
  • — Carries the APMA Seal of Acceptance and is a standard podiatrist recommendation for plantar fasciitis and all-day standing
Watch-outs
  • — Heavy and tall — reviewers call it clunky, and the 43 mm stack can feel tippy to some walkers
  • — The standard (D) width runs narrow; you need the 2E or 4E build to actually get wide-foot room
  • — The new knit upper can trap heat in warm weather
$169.88 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

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.

HOKA Bondi 9

Nothing here is more cushioned, and nothing here is taller. The New Balance 928v3 goes up to 6E and sits much lower to the ground; the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is firmer and built for motion control. Choose the Bondi if underfoot protection is the priority and the stack height does not bother you.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBrooks Addiction Walker 2HOKA Bondi 9
Weight13.7 oz (388 g)10.7 oz (303 g)
Heel-to-toe drop12 mm5 mm
CushioningBioMoGo DNA midsoleSupercritical EVA midsole
SupportMotion control—
Width optionsD (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide)Regular (D), Wide (2E), X-Wide (4E)
UpperFull-grain leatherEngineered knit mesh
OutsoleSlip-resistant rubber (SATRA TM144)Durabrasion rubber
Best useAll-day standing, work floorsRoad walking, all-day standing
Dimensions10 x 15 x 6 inches; 2.3 Pounds14 x 9 x 5 inches; 3 Pounds
Stack height—43 mm heel / 38 mm forefoot
← See the full ranking of best men's wide walking shoes