Head-to-head · Best Mens Wide Walking Shoes

Hoka Men's Bondi SR Wide vs New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Wide

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 Men's Bondi SR Wide comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.5 vs 3.1). Hoka Men's Bondi SR Wide is best for: Wide-footed walkers and people on their feet all day, especially on wet or slick floors, who do not mind a heavy shoe. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Mens Wide Walking Shoes

Hoka Men's Bondi SR Wide

4.5

2 sources$179.95as of Oct 16

A max-cushion leather walking and work shoe sold in an EE wide width. RunRepeat scored it 89 and OutdoorGearLab 83, both praising its all-day comfort, very wide and stable platform and genuinely slip-resistant outsole. Both also call it heavy and not very breathable.

Strengths

— RunRepeat measured a 81.2 mm toebox at the big toe, 2.7 mm above its walking-shoe average, and calls the platform the widest it has seen in its lab
— Comes in an EE wide width as well as regular (Zappos listing; OutdoorGearLab lists regular and wide)
— Slip-resistant outsole confirmed in RunRepeat's traction test and rated 9.0 for traction by OutdoorGearLab

Watch-outs

— Heavy: OutdoorGearLab measured 14.52 oz and found long walks a bit tiresome
— Low breathability, per both RunRepeat and OutdoorGearLab
— RunRepeat rates its outsole and heel padding durability as bad

$179.95 · Buy at zappos.com Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Mens Wide Walking Shoes

New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Wide

3.1

2 sources$57.28as of Oct 4

The New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 delivers exceptional comfort and versatility for daily wear, with RunRepeat calling it a 'reliable and versatile daily trainer' that excels in cushioning and flexibility. The shoe offers a plush, cloud-like feel that's ideal for easy runs, walks, and gym sessions, though reviewers noted it lacks arch support and has a stiff upper that may require time to break in. At under $100, it provides standout value for casual runners seeking a neutral daily trainer, though those needing stability support may want to consider alternatives like the ASICS GT 1000 12 or New Balance Fresh Foam X Kaiha Road.

Strengths

— Cloud-like cushioning with plush comfort for all-day wear
— Extremely flexible design that's great for easy/recovery runs, according to RunRepeat
— Lightweight at 8.5 oz with a nice bounce

Watch-outs

— Lacks arch support which may not suit pronating runners
— Stiff upper construction that can feel unforgiving initially

$57.28 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Hoka Men's Bondi SR Wide

In RunRepeat's comparison table the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is also a slip-resistant leather walker, but RunRepeat lists its toebox as narrow where the Bondi SR's is wide, and scores it 85 against the Bondi SR's 89.

New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Wide

The New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 stands out for its plush cushioning and flexibility, making it superior for easy runs and casual wear compared to the Brooks Addiction Walker 2, which is heavier and stiffer, or the Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit, which lacks breathability. However, unlike the Hoka Transport, it doesn't offer the same level of traction or a bungee lacing system, and it's less supportive for pronating runners.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hoka Men's Bondi SR Wide	New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Wide
Widths	Regular (D) and Wide (EE)	—
Upper	Water-resistant leather	—
Midsole	EVA	Fresh Foam
Outsole	Slip-resistant rubber	rubber outsole
Measured Weight	14.52 oz (OutdoorGearLab)	—
Measured Heel Stack	40 mm (OutdoorGearLab)	—
Measured Drop	7 mm (OutdoorGearLab), 8.2 mm (RunRepeat)	—
Toebox Width at Big Toe	81.2 mm (RunRepeat)	—
Weight	—	8.5 oz / 242g
Width	—	Wide
Upper Material	—	Breathable mesh, synthetic upper
Heel Stack	—	28.1 mm
Forefoot Stack	—	20.4 mm
Drop	—	7.7 mm
Dimensions	—	12.7 x 7.9 x 4.5 inches; 2.1 pounds

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