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

HOKA Bondi 9 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

HOKA Bondi 9 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). 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.

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 →
New Balance 928v3
Ranked #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

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.

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

SpecHOKA Bondi 9New Balance 928v3
Weight10.7 oz (303 g)15.5 oz (439 g)
Heel-to-toe drop5 mm12 mm
Stack height43 mm heel / 38 mm forefoot—
CushioningSupercritical EVA midsoleABZORB midsole + removable PU footbed
Width optionsRegular (D), Wide (2E), X-Wide (4E)B, D, 2E, 4E, 6E
UpperEngineered knit meshFull-grain leather
OutsoleDurabrasion rubberWalking Strike Path rubber
Best useRoad walking, all-day standingAll-day walking, work floors
Dimensions14 x 9 x 5 inches; 3 Pounds—
Support—ROLLBAR motion control
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