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

Brooks Ghost Max 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

HOKA Bondi 9 comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.7 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Wide-footed walkers and all-day standers who want maximum cushioning, especially anyone managing plantar fasciitis or heel pain. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Brooks Ghost Max 2
Ranked #4 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes
Brooks Ghost Max 2
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 AmazonFull review →
HOKA Bondi 9
Higher ratedRanked #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 →

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 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.

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 Ghost Max 2HOKA Bondi 9
Weight10.8 oz (306 g)10.7 oz (303 g)
Heel-to-toe drop6 mm5 mm
Stack height39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot43 mm heel / 38 mm forefoot
CushioningDNA LOFT v3 (nitrogen-infused)Supercritical EVA midsole
SupportNeutral + GlideRoll rocker—
Width options1D (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide)Regular (D), Wide (2E), X-Wide (4E)
OutsoleBlown rubberDurabrasion rubber
Best useDaily walking, long milesRoad walking, all-day standing
Dimensions12 x 8 x 4.5 inches; 2 Pounds14 x 9 x 5 inches; 3 Pounds
Upper—Engineered knit mesh
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