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Barefoot starts at BÄR.
Freedom Pioneers
Original since 1982.

WE ARE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!

From the first pair of shoes to a successful family business, together with you we want to remember 40 years of comfortable shoes.
Here we show you the milestones of the last 40 years.

1982

Foundation of BÄR GmbH by Christian and Hilke Bär.

1982

Foundation of BÄR GmbH by Christian and Hilke Bär.

First model: "Der Feine" Still produced today on request.

 

 

First model: "Der Feine" Still produced today on request.

A brown suede shoe with laces, displayed inside a white frame with the label 'Der Feine' beneath.

1989

The first mail-order catalogue goes into production. Everything revolves around well-being.

A set of three framed vintage advertisements featuring comfort shoes and a relaxing hammock, showcasing timeless design and style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1989 The first mail-order catalogue goes into production. Everything revolves around well-being.

1990

Market entry in France
Hilke Bär + Mr Rodde (Distributeur France) at the shoe fair in France.

First running shoe
tested by Sebastian Bär in the USA.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1990

Market entry in France
Hilke Bär + Mr Rodde (Distributeur France) at the shoe fair in France.

First running shoe
tested by Sebastian Bär in the USA.

Two framed images: one of a man and woman at a shoe exhibition, and another of a running shoe advertisement with a man jogging.

1993

New building with large outlet and office building in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

1993

New building with large outlet and office building in Bietigheim-Bissingen.

1994

Hilke Bär + Christian Bär at the
1st trade fair in Tokyo.

1994 Hilke Bär + Christian Bär at the1st trade fair in Tokyo.

A framed photograph depicting a group of people standing on steps, alongside a vintage-style poster featuring Japanese kanji characters.

1995

Hilke and Christian Bär at the opening of the Lüneburg branch together with Princess Erina of Saxony.

Werner Ruf and Christof Bär setting up the branch's cash register system.

Framed images of a vintage shoe store, with one showing two men at a counter and the other three people in front of the store.

1995 Hilke and Christian Bär at the opening of the Lüneburg branch together with Princess Erina of Saxony. Werner Ruf and Christof Bär setting up the branch's cash register system.

Own factory in India
Since 1995, BÄR shoes have been manufactured in our production facility in India.

Subsidiary founded in the USA, Bears-Crossing in Boulder, Colorado.

Own factory in India Since 1995, BÄR shoes have been manufactured in our production facility in India. Subsidiary founded in the USA, Bears-Crossing in Boulder, Colorado.

A collage of two framed images: one shows a bustling factory floor with workers, and the other depicts a bear standing outside a brick building with a 'Bears Crossing Co' sign.

1999

The first Bär online shop goes online.

Open blue and white vintage Apple iBook laptop showing a shoe retailer's website with product listings on the screen

1999

The first Bär online shop goes online.

2002

Christof and Sebastian Bär become managing directors.

Market entry in Switzerland,
Austria and Great Britain.


2002

Christof and Sebastian Bär become managing directors.

Market entry in Switzerland,
Austria and Great Britain.

Development of Ultra-Runner shoes with extreme athlete Achim Heukemes.

Achim Heukemes in the "Valley of Death" at the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley USA with the running shoe he co-developed.

Framed photos showing a runner on a long road and designers at a desk working on custom shoes.

Development of Ultra-Runner shoes with extreme athlete Achim Heukemes.

Achim Heukemes in the "Valley of Death" at the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley USA with the running shoe he co-developed.

2003

Robert Wimmer: Winner of the Trans-European Run.

Development of the shoe model „TransEuropa“ - this still exists today and is a popular model.

2003

Robert Wimmer: Winner of the Trans-European Run.

Development of the shoe model „TransEuropa“ - this still exists today and is a popular model.

White and gray BÄR running shoe with black accents, displayed in front of framed photos of an athlete standing and running.

2004

Harald Glööckler designs and produces his own collection.

Framed artwork displaying an advertisement for Harald Glööckler's fashion design with text and images of shoes.

2004

Harald Glööckler designs and produces his own collection.

2006

Subsidiary founded in Japan.

Picture shows the shop in the AO Building in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Interior view of a shoe store with wall displays and seating

2006

Subsidiary founded in Japan.

Picture shows the shop in the AO Building in Aoyama, Tokyo.

2007

Luigi Colani“ collection
This was followed in 2018 by the reissue of the "London" shoe to mark Mr Colani's 90th birthday.

2007

Luigi Colani“ collection
This was followed in 2018 by the reissue of the "London" shoe to mark Mr Colani's 90th birthday.

A framed portrait of an older person with a mustache and three stylish shoe-shaped vases holding flowers, with the Colani logo on the side

2011

Creation of the Joe Nimble® brand. Development of the "Speedster" shoe. 

Close-up of Joe Nimble trail running shoes on a rocky path, highlighting the green sole and durable design.

2011

Creation of the Joe Nimble® brand. Development of the "Speedster" shoe. 

2014 - 2017

Various awards for BÄR® shoes and Joe Nimble®

2014 - 2017

Various awards for BÄR® shoes and Joe Nimble®

Six framed awards including German Design Award and Red Dot Award

2019

Renewed collaboration with Harald Glööckler due to the great success of the 2004 collaboration.

Glamorous: TransEuropa also in gold for a change. Harald Glööckler at the collection development.

A luxurious gold and black PompÖÖs sneaker by BÄR, showcased next to a fashion designer reviewing shoe designs.

2019

Renewed collaboration with Harald Glööckler due to the great success of the 2004 collaboration.

Glamorous: TransEuropa also in gold for a change. Harald Glööckler at the collection development.

2020 

Innovation in the BERGKOMFORT hiking boot: FIRMOFLEX® technology (patent pending).


2020 

Innovation in the BERGKOMFORT hiking boot: FIRMOFLEX® technology (patent pending).

Pair of turquoise hiking shoes with yellow and black sole, one upside down on the other. Photo of a woman in matching hiking gear relaxing in a field with sheep in the background.

2021 

The sustainable and water-repellent terracare® leather is used for the BERGKOMFORT line.



2021 

The sustainable and water-repellent terracare® leather is used for the BERGKOMFORT line.

2022

Use of innovative sustainable materials

 

2022

Use of innovative sustainable materials

Vegan shoes with natural crepe soles showcased in frames, emphasizing eco-friendliness and sustainable materials
Logo with a green footprint and the text 'BÄR Being Free' in a white frame

2022

New logo
New momentum for the next 40 years.

Logo with a green footprint and the text 'BÄR Being Free' in a white frame

2022

New logo
New momentum for the next 40 years.

We say thank you
for your loyalty.

Logo commemorating 40 years anniversary of BÄR

We say thank you
for your loyalty.