Bergkomfort Wanderstiefel 2.0 Review

[Willyb43]

I didn't lay the insoles on top of each other to compare profile, but I put the 42 vivo insoles into the Baer and they fit perfectly and are also much more comfortable with the vivo insole due to more space. Where my toe hit the end of the boot with the Baer insole in and bending the toe all the way as if hiking up something very steep, that doesn't happen with the vivo so it also feels as if it lengthens the boot in addition to giving more volume.

I did a 45-50 mile backpacking trip in them with the vivo insole and they're awesome. I am planning to write up a review/report but haven't gotten to it yet. I think they'll blow the vivo out of the water for durability and water resistance. Thanks for testing these and bringing them to attention!View attachment 736517

I bet the insole thickness does have an effect on length. Lowering your heel might allow it to sit further back, deeper into the heel counter pocket at the back of the boot.

I’m glad they worked out for you, I’ve really been enjoying mine. I like them more and more every time I bolt them to my feet.

 

[Shadow14]

Love this thank you! Im transitioning into minimalist footwear and need a pair of boots. Hopefully they will restock the bigger sizes...

 

[Goose1327]

Any update on these boots? How have they fared through a season or so of hunting?

 

[HighUintas]

I have used mine quite a bit although not in wet conditions as much as I would have liked. I probably have 150 miles on them. They've held up very well so far.

They're noticeably different from the vivo tracker esc, but in a good way. More substantial outsole and grip, which gives a little more rock protection if you want it. The heel is a bit more stiff. There's lower foot volume per the same size. I think if I were ordering again I would go up half size. Mine shrank a little after getting them wet and then drying. They do stretch out again after wearing, but it's just something to note. The tracker esc do not.

I'm not sure yet, but I think that maybe the leather wets out a little easier than tracker esc if using the same type of waterproofing wax. It may do better with a sealant more designed for nubuck, like a spray.

 

[Willyb43]

I’m still really liking mine, I just got home from a week of bird hunting the southern interior of B.C. They have been holding up well, the top of the toe on the outsole is starting to separate a bit on both boots, otherwise they have held up well. I’ve cooked them a few times on a register and in the summer sun applying sno-seal, so that might be on me.

I have experienced the leather shrinkage after getting wet too, I think it’s the leather lining inside the boot that shrinks. It stretches back out pretty quick but they fit snug after being saturated and drying.

I also find they seem to wet out faster than the Vivo’s now that they are well used, despite using sno-seal on them. I think the leather and stitching work on the vivo’s is of better quality. And they dry slower when wet, likely due to having two layers of leather with the leather lining vs the vivo’s having a mesh fabric inside one leather layer. Overall, they hold up well to moderate water exposure, creek crossings ect. All day walking in wet vegetation seems to be their crux. Water intrusion seems to be at or around the lower lace loop stitching on my boots. I still far prefer these to goretex boots.

I wore the vivos one afternoon this week hunting birds. Thick brushy draws and long matted grass on steep cliffy rim rock slopes for chukar and quail. The grip was noticeably better with the BÄR on the Steep matted grass, I slipped and slid a lot in the Vivos that afternoon. In most cases both have great grip, but I do find the Vivos grip lacking in certain situations. The BÄR are as good for traction as any other boot I’ve ever used, probably sometimes better due to the flexible sole.

I plan on updating this formally after a year or if I have a major failure with the boots. They aren’t perfect, but they are the best boots I’ve used for my use case so far. If there are other options besides these and the vivos I would love to try them too.