December 2023
BÄR promotes education and community spirit in India before Christmas
Just before Christmas, BÄR Shoes launched a significant social initiative in India with great enthusiasm. In cooperation with Baer Shoes India Pvt. Ltd., a government school near the BÄR production facility was supported to improve educational opportunities and enhance the students’ quality of life.
The school faced challenges such as a lack of teaching materials and a suitable learning environment. As a dedicated effort, BÄR introduced screens for “Remote Learning” in three of the five classrooms, giving students access to a broader range of educational content through videos. This initiative aims to enrich the children’s educational experience and expand their learning opportunities.
In addition to the screens, school uniforms were provided for the students, contributing not only to uniformity but also creating a sense of belonging. Teachers were equipped with simple desks to make lesson preparation easier. In this rural region, where a high illiteracy rate of 20% has been recorded, BÄR is committed to giving children the opportunity to actively use their skills, talents, and enthusiasm through education for a better future. The school, staffed by five dedicated teachers, teaches 50 girls and 30 boys through fifth grade.
BÄR India regularly supports projects through the “BÄR Seed” program, selecting initiatives based on need and opportunities to establish a personal connection. During the visit, it was possible to see not only the organizational side of the support, but also experience the pure joy, curiosity, and laughter of the children, which deeply touched everyone.
As the highlight of our commitment, BÄR organized a sports festival for the students, focusing on community bonding and team spirit. The joy during the medal ceremony and the beaming faces of the winners reflected the success of this joint effort.
BÄR Shoes remains committed to social projects and continues to work toward creating positive change in communities.
November 2023
BÄR shoes spring/summer 2024
This season, colorful accents take center stage and draw attention. The color palette of the upper leathers ranges from denim blue and deep navy to refreshing sky blue and delicate mint green. Mineral hues round out the spectrum, ranging from taupe and sand to a soft almond shade.
The skilful coordination of the upper material and sole color, emphasizing the tonal flow, makes a sophisticated statement for stylish versatility. This design approach runs consistently throughout the collection and is reflected in high-quality details such as the supple calfskin lining. The models harmoniously combine fashion-forward refinement with natural inspiration.
Sustainable natural crepe soles
At BÄR, sustainability is not a trend but something we have embraced from the very beginning and in many different ways. One of our key sustainability topics is natural crepe soles. They have already enjoyed great popularity among women and men over the past two seasons. Our natural crepe soles are made from 100 percent natural rubber without any additional additives, and they are also carefully handcrafted in our manufactory. The soft, highly cushioning natural crepe soles—for example, CLINT, TIMOTHY CAREY, and DENISE—provide a fantastic walking experience. They are definitely worth trying.
PITO – The knitted sneaker made from SEAQUAL® YARN
However, our sustainability efforts go beyond the soles. An outstanding example is our PITO shoe. The super-light knitted PITO sneakers are vegan and sustainable. The knitted fabric is made entirely from recycled polyester, SEAQUAL® YARN. Ninety percent comes from post-consumer PET bottles collected on land, while 10 percent is SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC, which recycles plastic waste from the ocean. The SEAQUAL INITIATIVE aims to rid the oceans of plastic and transform the collected material into environmentally friendly polyester fibers. With PITO, BÄR is making not only a fashion statement but also a statement for environmental protection.
The must-have for hiking
BERGKOMFORT 2.0, the favorite among customers in the hiking collection, remains a highlight and will not be missing next spring/summer either. Winner of the ISPO AWARD, it is an absolute must-have for all nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. It not only promises a new hiking experience through its perfect fit and innovative FIRMOFLEX® sole technology, which is pending patent approval and combines transverse stability with longitudinal flexibility, but also relies on sustainable materials such as terracare® leather and chrome-free tanned calfskin lining.
The new Archraiser sole
Our MOUNTAIN BAREFOOT's ARCHRAISER® SOLE also promises a special walking experience. This model takes barefoot walking to a new level. The extremely thin sole provides a walking experience as close as possible to barefoot walking, while allowing you to move in perfect harmony with nature. In addition, the ARCHRAISER® sole features lateral support that wraps around the midfoot like a protective cuff, gently enclosing all the ligaments, muscles, and bones. This gives the arches stability and provides natural support and stability with every step. There has never been this much hiking shoe in a barefoot shoe.
Further information about BÄR: www.baer-schuhe.de Instagram: @baer_schuhe
October 2023
Bär successfully expands onto online marketplaces
BÄR, the pioneer in shoes with 100% Toe freedom, is advancing its marketplace expansion and has been available online at Decathlon and Otto since August 2023. With these steps, the family-owned company is consistently implementing its multichannel strategy. In addition to its retail stores, its own online shop, and traditional mail order, BÄR is steadily expanding its fourth pillar.
Decathlon offers BÄR's sports range: running and hiking shoes, such as the BERGKOMFORT Hiking Boot 2.0, which received this year's ISPO Award. On Otto.de, customers can find the entire collection of shoes with 100% Toe freedom, zero heel-to-toe drop, and flexibility, all in the highest quality of traditional craftsmanship.
In 2022, the medium-sized company created the technical infrastructure for marketplace integration. The shoe brand began its online expansion with Mirapodo last year, and Amazon was added in spring 2023. The new sales channels offer existing customers a variety of shopping options and are intended to boost new customer business. “We are striving to further expand our market presence and make our shoes accessible to a broader audience,” says Managing Director Christof Bär enthusiastically. In line with this, the shoe manufacturer expanded its own distribution network when it became a brand partner of ANWR, the strongest buying group in the specialist footwear retail sector, in September 2022.
About BÄR: “It is a personal concern of mine that BÄR GmbH engages in shaping the future of coming generations and assumes responsibility,” says Christof Bär, Managing Director of the BÄR brand. In this spirit, the family-owned company has supported the BioDesign Foundation’s project from the very beginning and has been the official cooperation partner of VOX MARIS, a project in the Mediterranean region, since 2021. Most of the plastic waste in our oceans comes from land and breaks down in the water into harmful microplastics. Fishing is partly responsible for the problem. Fishing nets and other equipment often end up in the sea. In southern countries, nets are sometimes illegally discarded at sea—and dolphins and other marine species suffer a painful death in these ghost nets. VOX MARIS addresses both causes and turns fishermen into allies. In collaboration with the consortium of shipowners from Chioggia, a port city on the Adriatic in Italy’s Veneto region, the BioDesign Foundation has found an effective solution. The foundation buys discarded fishing nets from fishermen, as well as the plastic bycatch “caught” in their nets. This prevents VOX MARIS, on the one hand, from nets being dumped at sea to avoid hazardous-waste disposal fees. On the other hand, fishermen are compensated for the additional effort involved in bringing the plastic waste ashore. Containers have been placed near ports and fish markets for this purpose. Fishermen deliver the marine waste there, where it is weighed and then processed by foundation employees. 100,000 kilograms were collected in Chiogga in one year. An estimated 100,000 tons end up in the Mediterranean every year. The foundation’s goal is to expand the project to all ports in Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. Not a single fishing net should end up in the sea.
For over 40 years, the family-owned company has been producing shoes with Toe freedom, zero heel-to-toe drop, and flexibility, all in the highest quality of traditional craftsmanship. What began in 1982 with a revolutionary idea by Christian Bär has been continued since 2013 by his sons Christof and Sebastian Bär with innovative ideas and dedication. BÄR Shoes are available at 22 BÄR stores, in the online shop and through traditional mail order, as well as via Amazon, Decathlon, Mirapodo, and Otto. 130 employees work at the company headquarters in Bietigheim-Bissingen, while 400 other permanent employees manufacture the shoes at the company's own factory in India.
September 2023
BÄR Shoes presents innovative project "scan2fit"
Experience comfort anew: BÄR Manufaktur presents "scan2fit", an innovative project for precise foot analyses using 3D scanning technology. The subsequent shoe recommendation is generated automatically by comparing the feet with the shoe lasts.
BÄR shoes stand for 100% Toe freedom and offer maximum comfort. From the beginning of September to mid-October 2023, interested customers will have the unique opportunity to have a professional foot measurement carried out at three selected BÄR stores—and completely free of charge. In Düsseldorf (September 5–16, 2023), Stuttgart (September 19–30, 2023), and Hamburg (October 4–14, 2023), a state-of-the-art 3D scanner will be available that not only precisely captures the contours of the feet but also detects any misalignments. These can often be the cause of problems such as back pain.
In the shoe trade, BÄR's "scan2fit" method is a sensational innovation and advancement in foot analysis of its kind. The complex software solution has an absolute unique selling point in the industry to date. Customers gain incomparable benefits for their foot health by being presented with "their" model, which fits their foot perfectly and offers the best comfort. This means that problems can not only be detected and analyzed but also resolved directly.
The innovation of "scan2fit" even makes it possible to track changes in the development of the feet. In addition, registered customers will in future be able to access their scans at any time through the customer portal.
The insights gained flow directly into improving BÄR shoe lasts and sustainable shoe development. Because customer satisfaction comes first at BÄR.
Immerse yourself in the future of shoe comfort: have your feet scanned, receive expert advice, and secure a €15 voucher. Opening hours of the BÄR stores in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, and Hamburg: Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Arrange a personal appointment today at the respective telephone number: Düsseldorf: 0211 328254, Stuttgart: 0711 2296791, Hamburg: 040 34960071.
About BÄR
For decades, BÄR has stood for quality and the highest level of comfort. With "scan2fit", the company is once again setting new standards and giving customers the opportunity to find shoes that not only fit perfectly but also support the health of their feet.
May 2023
Bär outlet celebrates its 30th anniversary
Since 1982, the family-owned company BÄR, based in Bietigheim-Bissingen, has been producing shoes that enable natural walking and standing thanks to 100% Toe freedom.
What is special about BÄR shoes?
Our shoes were born out of a personal story of suffering and stand for healthy walking. My father, Christian Bär, worked in field sales, and the long hours of walking and standing caused back problems and painful feet. Everyday work became a burden. He realized that his footwear was causing the pain. And he found the solution in an almost revolutionary idea: shoes should follow the shape of the feet. This allows the toes to move and spread freely while rolling through a step. He adds the finishing touch to this barefoot-like walking with cushioning. Our soles are flexible and neutralize harmful impacts on hard surfaces. Since 2013, my brother Sebastian and I have run the company. Even today, our personal expertise and passion go into developing new shoes. We test every shoe ourselves, and only when we are 100 percent convinced does it go into production.
How did the outlet come about?
The outlet came about by chance. Our first company location was on Löchgauer Straße in the city center, and interested residents of Bietigheim kept ringing the doorbell. They wanted to know who BÄR was and try on a shoe. In the early days, it sometimes happened that the accountant handed customers our BÄR shoes to try on and explained them. In 1993, we expanded with a new building in the industrial area and planned the outlet in from the very beginning. Being close to our customers has always been important to us. Many enthusiastically report an aha moment from the very first step, and 94 percent of our customers recommend our BÄR shoes.
Why is it worth visiting the outlet?
The outlet combines a huge selection of discounted shoes with our extensive expertise in advising customers. Our employees are highly trained and are on hand to provide visitors with help and advice. Since the end of 2022, we have also offered our free professional foot analysis digitally using a 3D scan. Our SCAN2FIT method is based on a software solution that is unique in the industry. Based on the data collected, customers are recommended their perfect model. On an area of 510 square meters, there is a selection of 4,500 pairs of high-quality shoes that enable natural movement instead of forcing the feet into a corset.
What are you planning to celebrate the anniversary?
Starting April 27, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary with promotional weeks, including a €15 anniversary bonus on a minimum purchase of €100 and other special offers. Until the end of June, every customer will particularly benefit from a visit to our outlet. Anyone who tries on our shoes is convinced afterward.
March 2023
BÄR is committed to plastic-free oceans
The family-run company uses SEAQUAL® YARN for its new knitted sneaker PITO and supports VOX MARIS
Who hasn’t seen them: the sad images of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the largest of the five ocean currents where plastic waste accumulates. This garbage island covers an area the size of Central Europe and lies between Hawaii, the American mainland, and Asia in the Pacific Ocean. BÄR, the shoe brand from Baden-Württemberg, wants to do its part to help solve this global problem in our oceans. That is why the company uses SEAQUAL®YARN recycled yarn in the PITO shoe model. BÄR also supports the VOX MARIS project, which helps fishermen dispose of fishing nets properly and buys the marine plastic that ends up in their nets while fishing.
How plastic becomes something fantastic
Sustainability is a major issue at BÄR and has always been an integral part of the company’s values. For its long-lasting shoes, the shoe manufacturer uses several environmentally friendly materials, such as terracare® leather in the BERGKOMFORT models and the vegan alternative HyphaLiteTM TC for EMMA VEGAN and OLEANDER. The new super-light knitted sneakers PITO are vegan and sustainable. The knitted fabric consists of 100 percent recycled polyester, SEAQUAL® YARN. Ninety percent of it comes from post-consumer PET bottles collected on land, while 10 percent is made from SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC, which recycles plastic waste from the sea. The SEAQUALINITIATIVE aims to rid the oceans of plastic and transform the collected material into environmentally friendly polyester fibers. The sustainable origin feels good, but the product benefits are also a focus for the shoe manufacturer. The lightweight, highly stretchable textile knit offers plenty of room for the feet to roll naturally and provides continuous ventilation. Thanks to the seamless construction, nothing presses against the foot; the footbed with a spherical heel (4 mm cushioning at the front, 6 mm at the back) enables an exceptionally soft landing, while the widely opening five-eyelet lacing makes them easy to put on. The soft EVA sole with a grippy rubber tread has outstanding shock-absorbing properties and, thanks to its shape, guarantees 100-percent Toe freedom, BÄR’s unique selling point.
VOX MARIS – the voice of the sea
„Es ist mir ein persönliches Anliegen, dass wir uns mit der BÄR GmbH für die Zukunft kommender Generationen engagieren und Verantwortung übernehmen“, so Christof Bär, Geschäftsführer der Marke BÄR. In diesem Sinne unterstützt das Familienunternehmen das Projekt der BioDesign Foundation von Anfang an und ist seit 2021 offizieller Kooperationspartner von VOX MARIS, einem Projekt im Mittelmeerraum. Größtenteils kommt der Plastikmüll in unseren Meeren vom Land und zersetzt sich im Wasser zu schädlichem Mikroplastik. Ein Teil des Problems wird vom Fischfang verursacht. Fischernetze und weitere Ausrüstung landen oft im Meer. In südlichen Ländern werden die Netze teilweise illegal im Meer entsorgt – in diesen Geisternetzen verenden Delfine und andere Meeresarten qualvoll. VOX MARIS setzt bei beiden Ursachen an und macht die Fischer zu Verbündeten. In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Konsortium der Reedervon Chioggia, einer Hafenstadt an der Adria in der italienischen Region Venetien, hat die BioDesign Foundation eine wirksame Lösung gefunden. Die Stiftung kauft den Fischern weggeworfene Fischernetze und den in ihren Netzen “gefangenen“ Plastik-Beifang ab. So verhindert VOX MARIS einerseits, dass die Netze im Meer entsorgt werden, um die Sondermüll-Gebühren zu umgehen. Andererseits werden die Fischer für den Mehraufwand entlohnt, den Plastikmüll an Land zu bringen. Dafür wurden Container in der Nähe von Häfen und Fischmärkten aufgestellt. Dort liefern die Fischer den marinen Müll an, der gewogen und von den Mitarbeitern der Stiftung weiterverarbeitet wird. 100.000 Kilogramm sind in einem Jahr in Chiogga eingesammelt worden. Schätzungsweise 100.000 Tonnen enden jedes Jahr ins Mittelmeer. Das Ziel der Stiftung ist es, das Projekt auf alle Häfen in Italien und das gesamte Mittelmeer auszuweiten. Kein einziges Fischernetz soll ins Meer gelangen.
About BÄR: “It is a personal concern of mine that BÄR GmbH engages in shaping the future of coming generations and assumes responsibility,” says Christof Bär, Managing Director of the BÄR brand. In this spirit, the family-owned company has supported the BioDesign Foundation’s project from the very beginning and has been the official cooperation partner of VOX MARIS, a project in the Mediterranean region, since 2021. Most of the plastic waste in our oceans comes from land and breaks down in the water into harmful microplastics. Fishing is partly responsible for the problem. Fishing nets and other equipment often end up in the sea. In southern countries, nets are sometimes illegally discarded at sea—and dolphins and other marine species suffer a painful death in these ghost nets. VOX MARIS addresses both causes and turns fishermen into allies. In collaboration with the consortium of shipowners from Chioggia, a port city on the Adriatic in Italy’s Veneto region, the BioDesign Foundation has found an effective solution. The foundation buys discarded fishing nets from fishermen, as well as the plastic bycatch “caught” in their nets. This prevents VOX MARIS, on the one hand, from nets being dumped at sea to avoid hazardous-waste disposal fees. On the other hand, fishermen are compensated for the additional effort involved in bringing the plastic waste ashore. Containers have been placed near ports and fish markets for this purpose. Fishermen deliver the marine waste there, where it is weighed and then processed by foundation employees. 100,000 kilograms were collected in Chiogga in one year. An estimated 100,000 tons end up in the Mediterranean every year. The foundation’s goal is to expand the project to all ports in Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. Not a single fishing net should end up in the sea.
For over 40 years, the family-owned company has been making shoes with Toe freedom, zero heel elevation, and flexibility at the highest level of craftsmanship. What began in 1982 with a revolutionary idea from Christian Bär has been continued since 2013 by his sons Christof and Sebastian Bär with innovative ideas and great dedication. BÄR shoes are available at 22 BÄR stores, in the online shop, through traditional mail order, and via Amazon and Mirapodo. 130 employees work at the company headquarters in Bietigheim-Bissingen, while another 400 permanent employees manufacture the shoes at the company’s own factory in India
January 2023
Old shoes, new happiness: BÄR donates shoes for a good cause
Since 1982, the BÄR Manufactory for comfortable shoes has stood for a positive feeling of living and walking. Its guiding principle, “Be free—from head to toe,” can be felt everywhere. The BÄR collection exclusively comprises models with uncompromising Toe freedom. Sustainability and social responsibility have always been guiding principles of the Bär family.
For many years, the company BÄR has been successfully supporting aid projects and is once again donating several boxes full of hope this year. In total, more than 900 pairs of shoes were handed over to various charitable organizations. From early December 2022 to early January 2023, every customer received a 15% discount voucher for purchases at BÄR in exchange for at least one old pair of shoes, regardless of brand, age, or condition. The BÄR Manufactory is now fulfilling its promise by refurbishing the shoes that are in good condition and donating them to various charitable organizations to support people in need. This initiative “recycles” unused shoes. The following organizations each received a share of this special shoe donation: Global Care: an international children’s aid organization supporting families in Ljuboml and Volhynia, Ukraine; Invitare: a foundation for mothers and children in need; Protestant Parish Association of Bietigheim: supporting people in need in Ukraine. The donation was personally handed over to Invitare representative Gerrit Vesper and Gisela Kunz, manager of the INVITARE store. On behalf of Global Care, Pastor Andrej Demjanchuk and Walentin Schüle accepted the shoes. With this donation, BÄR Schuhe emphasizes how important it is for the company to act sustainably, assume social responsibility, and support those who need help most urgently. The family-run company hopes that its donation will help bring a smile to many faces and support people during difficult times.
