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

Brooks Ghost Max 2 vs New Balance 928v3

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

New Balance 928v3 comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.7 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Men with the widest feet or significant overpronation who need a true motion-control walking shoe for long shifts, orthotics, or medical foot needs. — 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 →
New Balance 928v3
Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Men's Wide Walking Shoes
New Balance 928v3
1 sourceall derived$159.95as of Aug 1

The New Balance 928v3 is the pick for the widest feet and serious motion control. It is a genuine walking shoe in an exceptional width range, up to 6E, with ROLLBAR stability posting, a deep SL-2 last that swallows orthotics, and a reputation as one of the most podiatrist-recommended shoes for problem feet. Zappos buyers rate it 4.1/5, and it is built for long shifts on hard floors. The trade-offs are real: heavy, warm, and decidedly old-school looking.

Strengths
  • — Among the widest sizing of any walking shoe — offered in B, D, 2E, 4E, and 6E for truly wide and extra-wide feet
  • — Purpose-built walking shoe with ROLLBAR motion control for overpronation and a guided, stable stride
  • — SL-2 last gives a deeper, wider toe box and high instep that easily fits orthotics, swelling, and high arches
Watch-outs
  • — Heavy at about 15.5 oz — noticeably more than the foam-based walkers here, which can cause fatigue on brisk outings
  • — Conservative, orthopedic styling that looks dated next to modern walkers
  • — Leather upper traps heat and is only splash-resistant, so it runs warm and dries slowly
$159.95 · 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.

New Balance 928v3

The widest-fitting and most stability-focused walker here — it goes up to 6E where the HOKA Bondi 9 and Brooks Ghost Max 2 stop at 4E. It is heavier and far less plush than those foam shoes, trading modern cushioning for guided motion control. For similar structured support with a slip-resistant work outsole, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is the close alternative.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBrooks Ghost Max 2New Balance 928v3
Weight10.8 oz (306 g)15.5 oz (439 g)
Heel-to-toe drop6 mm12 mm
Stack height39 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot—
CushioningDNA LOFT v3 (nitrogen-infused)ABZORB midsole + removable PU footbed
SupportNeutral + GlideRoll rockerROLLBAR motion control
Width options1D (Medium), 2E (Wide), 4E (Extra Wide)B, D, 2E, 4E, 6E
OutsoleBlown rubberWalking Strike Path rubber
Best useDaily walking, long milesAll-day walking, work floors
Dimensions12 x 8 x 4.5 inches; 2 Pounds—
Upper—Full-grain leather
← See the full ranking of best men's wide walking shoes