Brooks Addiction Walker

Brooks Addiction Walker vs. Brooks Dyad Walker

The selection of walking shoes from Brooks is currently not very extensive due to the brand’s dedication to making running shoes. That’s why the Addiction Walker and the Dyad Walker are the brand’s most popular choices for walking and, likely, most confused ones as well. As they both stem from the same footwear line, these trainers share a host of similarities:  

• Upper design. It is usually the primary thing that catches a buyer’s attention when they are looking for a shoe. In this respect, the two trainers are identical as they both feature a full-grain leather upper with the same overlay design. They have a similar lace-up closure, padded collar and tongue and both come in monochromatic color options.
• Cushioning. Both shoes feature the brand’s proprietary BioMoGo DNA technology. It is designed to adapt to the wearer’s parameters such as weight, stride, and speed to deliver efficient shock absorption and responsive cushioning.
• Wide platform. If you look at both trainers from the bottom, you will see that their midfoot is the same in width as the heel section, while the forefoot is made even wider on the inner side. Unlike most athletic shoes, where the middle section of the sole seems to be carved out, the wide platforms of the Addiction Walker and the Dyad Walker ensure that the wearer’s foot rests on a stable platform and doesn’t excessively roll inwards or outwards.
• Slip resistance. The outsoles in both trainers are lined with the ASTM F489-96-certified compound. It boasts of its slip-resistant properties even on wet smooth surfaces.
• Price. Both shoes retail at $120.

On the surface, the two walking shoes do seem identical, but upon closer examination, some significant differences can be found:  

• Closure types. While both models come with a traditional lacing system, the Addiction Walker also has the V-Strap version which employs twin Velcro straps on the instep.
• Width types. Both shoes are available in Medium and Wide width profiles, but the Addiction Walker is also offered in a Narrow option.
• Arch support. In this regard, the two trainers are designed for different purposes. The Dyad Walker is created for people with normal pronation and mild overpronation. The Dual Arch Pods in the midfoot section of its outsole are meant to add stability but do not get in the way if the wearer has normal pronation. The Dyad’s construction is also able to accommodate an orthotic insert if one is needed. On the other hand, the Brooks Addiction Walker is designed as a motion control shoe in its core. It features a technology called the Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar which stabilizes the foot from the heel all the way to the forefoot to prevent it from excessive inward rolling. It also makes the platform of the trainer look somewhat bulkier.
• Drop. Because of the motion control feature, the heel-to-toe differential in the Addiction Walker (12 mm) is slightly higher than in the Dyad Walker (10 mm).  

To sum it up, with the number of materials and technologies used in them, both shoes are ready to serve as durable and supportive walking companions. The Brooks Addiction Walker may be a preferable option for people with moderate to severe overpronation who like to have plenty of support in their footwear.