Customer Reviews Brooks Addiction Walker 2

I've worn the Addiction Walker for probably 8-10 years. I have always worn them with medical orthotics (at $500 a pair) prescribed by my foot orthopedist for the severe arthritis in all the bones at the top of my feet. Like many people, I don't think the version 2 is as comfortable or effective as the original. Others I know have told me the same thing for these as well as other brands (e.g., New Balance) -- the subsequent versions are just plain inferior. For one thing, the toe box is less rounded. For the pairs I bought and kept this year (I had already kept a pair of them them in black 6 months ago and just started wearing the white), I went up a size from an 8.5 to 9.0 and from a D to a EE in width. To determine the best size and width I had ordered 4 different pairs, returning 3 and keeping only the 9.0 EE. These will have to do. I'm hoping they don't stretch out too quickly.

We’re larger than expected and looked really large

I really wanted to like these. It is so hard to find a size 12 in a narrow width. The length was good, but my heels slipped up and down, even with the shoes tied uncomfortably tight. Also, it felt like my feet sat too deeply in the shoes. Perhaps they are made to take another inner sole.

I have always ordered Brooks Addiction Walkers in a size nine. I found this new iteration to be a half size shorter.

These shoes fit what I needed. A good-looking walking shoe that could accommodate my custom orthotic. The fact that they are well-constructed and comfortable right out of the box is really a plus.

Well-made shoes. Good room in the toe box; I was able to use my custom orthotic. Look of the leather was nice. While I liked them, I decided I’d prefer black shoes so I returned them and ordered the same shoe in black.

These shoes are a great buy if you like a little extra comfort for the winter months. They are made with a sturdy leather upper and have a substantial arch support for those who are on their feet for long hours at a time. I was a bit disappointed with the width. I have to wear arch supports and they take up a little more room then an insole, so the room in the toe box gets compromised because of them. But other than this, I think they are a really well made pair of shoes.

My feet suffer terribly from overpronation, bunions, hammertoes and osteoarthritis in my feet, and the only shoes I could wear for years and I chose beige. However, Brooks no longer offers its Addiction Walker in beige -- they only offer black and white. i refuse to wear white shoes which only makes my already troubled feet stand out. The other Addiction Walkers offered are made of perforated suede which does not give as much support to my feet. This year, I'm going with New Balance 928 v3 in beige.

First, I love Zappos. They were friendly, helpful, efficient and even had jokes prepared while waiting on the phone. Now for the shoes: I fell in love with my Brooks Addiction Walkers 1 after trying many other shoes and brands. I have had major back surgery and need a shoe that feels solid and really supports me. The Addiction Walker 1 did that but the Addiction Walker 2 is less comfortable and has a cheaper feel to it. There is only one row of stitching on the toe instead of two and the shoe just feels flimsier. Over all, all I'm a little disappointed and frustrated that the first Addiction Walker is no longer available as it took me several tries to find it.

These shoes are very comfortable and supportive for me, with the exception of the toe box. I have foot and ankle issues, and I have a very difficult time finding shoes that I can wear all day long, being on my feet 12+ hours per day as a teacher. I have alternated between the Brooks Addiction 2 and New Balance 928 for quite some time. The Addiction 2's feel a little more flexible and "hug" my foot better, but the squished toe feeling has made me decide to go back to the New Balance. I have been measured by an orthotics specialist as a 10.5 medium, and this seems to be the correct size for me in the Addiction 2 as they are long enough and wide enough, but my toes still feel cramped. Going up half a size would make the rest of the shoe too large. I believe the issue is a shallow toe box and my big toe is hitting the top of the shoe. It gets a little better after wearing them for 2 weeks or so. It's a disappointment, because I think these are better looking than the New Balance 928v3, but I am going to go back to the New Balance for the toe room. I wish Brooks would consider all the reviews mentioning the toe box and modify it just a bit. If that happens, I will come back and try them again.

Heavy and didn’t flex much also the lack of pronation in the toe caused shin splints after wearing for 1 day