BERT Shoes Review

BERT Shoes are designed to be the “other shoes” for active users. That is, for an activity requiring specific footwear – e.g., bicycling, climbing, skiing, etc. – BERT Shoes are there to be a lightweight, packable, and comfortable alternative before and after you’re done doing whatever awesome outdoor thing it is you happen to be doing that day.

I’ve been using a pair of BERTs for a few months and have worn them for everything from snowy days in the mountains to days at the beach and everything in between.

They’re made by a small company in Colombia (with free shipping to North America), and they donate a portion of their profits to sterilization campaigns aimed at reducing the population of stray dogs and cats in local communities. Here’s everything you need to know about BERT Shoes.

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Pros and Cons

BERT Shoe Specs

• Weight: 9.4 oz / 267 g (M7/7.5), 14 oz / 397 g (M13/13.5)
• Top material: Nylon Mesh
• Insole material: Neoprene
• Sole material: EVA made of recycled rubber
• Removable insole: Yes
• Machine washable: Yes
• Sizes: Men’s 7 to 13 | Women’s 6 to 9
• Country of Origin: Colombia
• MSRP: $80 US

Photo Gallery

The Good

The Width

I’m always frustrated when trying to entertain the possibility of a new activity or adventure that necessitates new footwear. My wide foot has been a near-constant annoyance in my life ever since I was young and couldn’t fit into those cool shoes that lit up every time you took a step. Fortunately, BERT Shoes are plenty wide, even for my hideously out-of-proportion foot. Typically, even with wide footwear versions, I wear a men’s size 12 despite the length of my foot being more akin to an 11 or 11.5. I was initially skeptical about BERTs and tried size 12/12.5, but they ended up being too big (and plenty wide), so I downsized to the 11/11.5 and they fit me well.

The Comfort

Regardless of the activity, footwear comfort is paramount. Fortunately, BERTs are comfortable. I’ve yet to wear them on a grueling day-long hike or bicycle tour around a new city (no, this is not what they’re designed for, but I could see it happening), but I’ve worn them for short hikers, for daily wear while traveling, to and from the climbing gym, and to the beach (do BERTs make me a shoobie?) with great success. They’ve slowly become my go-to when heading out into the world to do anything that doesn’t call for specific footwear (especially when traveling).

The Packability

One of my favorite things about BERT Shoes is how packable they are. Whenever I travel, I usually wear my highly non-packable running or backpacking shoes on travel days. I don’t necessarily need another pair of footwear (e.g., something more formal). Still, it’s nice to have something that I can wear that isn’t my activity shoes, especially when they’re sweaty or dirty after use. Usually, I’m travelling with just a backpack (as a carry-on when flying) and BERTs perfectly in either the main compartment, a side pocket, or strapped to the top. As much as I love my Crocs, they’re the worst when it comes to packability, and there’s no way they’re fitting inconspicuously into a pack. BERTs, on the other hand, are just the ticket for lightweight travel.

The Washing

Unlike most shoes, BERTs are machine washable (in a washing machine, not a dishwasher like your Crocs). They’re so light and pliable, I don’t even think they count as shoes when respecting the signs in laundromats asking you not to put your shoes in the washers. You should not bleach or put them in the dryer, but throwing them in the washer on the gentle/delicate cycle won’t damage them. Just remember to take the insoles out before washing. If you get the insoles particularly dirty, rinse them and then air dry them with your BERTs once they’re out of the wash.

The Versatility

Although BERTs aren’t the ultralight camp shoes I’ve always dreamed of (RIP, my Batman sandals eaten by the mucky banks of the Colorado River outside Moab on the Hayduke)—more on this below—they are a great addition to a variety of activities, both land—and water-based. It’s worth noting I wear my BERTs almost exclusively with socks unless I’m going to be submerging them in water (I hate wearing shoes without socks, and I have particularly sweaty feet – even with socks). They perform well in the water, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them out on a day of flatwater kayaking, canoeing, or even whitewater rafting (although if I ended up swimming in a rapid I would be concerned for their staying on my feet).

The Okay

The Weight

At 9.4 oz / 267 g in a size 7/7.5 and 14 oz / 397 g in a size 13/13.5 (I have a size 11/11.5), I won’t be taking my BERT Shoes on any ultralight adventures anytime soon. However, when there’s more flexibility with kit weight – think more leisurely backpacking or bikepacking trips – there’s no reason my BERTs can’t come along for the adventure. They’re light enough that for any activity where the word ultralight isn’t uttered with great frequency, you’ll find yourself not even noticing the extra weight of a pair.

The Sizing

The sizes BERT Shoes come in are a bit wonky. Women’s versions are available in sizes ranging from 6 to 8.5/9 (denoted as a single size). Sizes are available in women’s in half sizes up to the largest size, 8.5/9, which, for some reason, isn’t just 8.5 or 9. Men’s versions are available in sizes ranging from 7/7.5 to 13/13.5 (both denoted as single sizes). However, the sizes available for men are 7/7.5, 8/8.5/ 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11/11.5, 12/12.5, 13/13.5. It’s a bit wonky and seems like there’s room for improvement here regarding sizes. I know that, to some degree, many sizes are made up (despite being based on actual measurements), but having both full sizes, half sizes, and half/full sizes lacks a certain flavor of efficiency that I enjoy seeing in the world.

The Heel Tabs/Loops

There are tabs at the rear of BERT Shoes that are stitched to have a loop available for hanging the BERTs (at least that’s what I’m assuming this loop is for). The tab is helpful for pulling the shoes on, and even when it gets stuck inside the shoe, I hardly notice it. That said, I do wish the loop were a bit larger. It’s big enough for me to get a carabiner through (barely), but not big enough for my finger (maybe I’ve just got sausage fingers). It would also be nice if the loop could be oriented the other way to allow the shoes to be carried on a carabiner with the soles touching one another (or the tops touching one another) instead of them hanging side-by-side. If you’re confused about what I’m talking about, check out the photo gallery above.

The Bad

The Name

I take no issue with the name itself and lovingly refer to my shoes as BERTs; however, it’s always odd to me when a company name and a product name are the same. BERT is the company that makes shoes by the same name. So, technically, they are BERT BERT Shoes? Not a huge deal as far as the shoes themselves go, but when BERT ultimately produces a different style, these are going (may have) to be rebranded, right? Like “The Original BERT Shoe from BERT,” when the V2 comes along. Or maybe they’ll just have the OG BERTs forever.

The Colors

A common complaint I have with gear is the available colors. Yes, I like that my black BERT Shoes can seamlessly (mostly) blend into more casual, less outdoor-centric environments, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a tie-dye pair too? Also, despite the website saying that BERTs are designed to be unisex, it also says that there are differences between the men’s and women’s versions. It’s not a big deal except that the women’s versions are available in different colors than the men’s (colors I may like more, to be honest). But since the women’s size only goes up to 8.5/9, even if they were indeed unisex, they would still be too small for my feet. I suppose all I can do is hope that BERT becomes so hugely successful that they one day offer a shoe customization tool.

The Previewing

Unless you live in Colombia or near one of the three stores currently carrying BERTs in the United States (Connecticut, New York, and Florida), you’ll have to order your BERTs online to determine if they’re for you. Shipping is free to North America (and Colombia), but return shipping is the customer’s responsibility if you need to exchange for another size or you don’t love your BERTs and end up returning them. But for a small company in (probably) another country (that is, relative to whoever is reading this), that’s to be expected.

Wrap Up

I like my BERT Shoes and see them as part of my travel, climbing, casual bikepacking, and river sports kit (as well as a lovely van slipper when they’re fresh out of the wash) for a long time. Crocs have long been my go-to, but it’s difficult to justify lugging around such an enormous second shoe, knowing that an alternative like BERTs exists.

I’ve been wearing them almost exclusively when not actively doing some activity necessitating specific footwear (e.g., snowboarding, skiing, climbing, running), but I’m curious to see how they hold up over the long term. There’s no sign of any wear along the seams, and the soles are still in good shape, but should something change, I will return to update this review appropriately.

Do you have questions, comments, or personal experience with BERT shoes? Leave a comment below or get in touch, and let me know!

Check out BERT shoes here.