For over 60 years, Bjorndal® has been creating fashion-forward footwear designed to empower and inspire. Our story begins in 1961, when founder Carl Bjorndal opened the first Bjorndal shoe store in Minnesota.

Carl was passionate about providing high-quality, comfortable, and stylish shoes at an affordable price. He recognized that most footwear at the time didn’t properly support women’s feet or reflect their personal style. Carl aimed to change that by launching his own brand – Bjorndal.

The very first Bjorndal collection focused on women’s clogs and sandals made from natural materials like wood and leather. Carl believed that shoes should mold to the unique shape of a woman’s foot. He pioneered the use of cork and innovative latex foams to provide cushioning and arch support.

Bjorndal quickly gained a following of loyal customers who loved the effortless comfort and Scandinavian-inspired design. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Bjorndal expanded its selection of clogs, wedges, boots, and flats in fresh prints, textures, and on-trend silhouettes.

Growing a Legacy

In the 1980s, Carl brought his two sons, Paul and Erik, into the business. Together they opened new retail locations across the Midwest and launched Bjorndal shoes nationally.

Paul and Erik shared their father’s passion for high-quality construction and European-influenced style. They also recognized the need for more comfortable and supportive options for work and casual wear. The Bjorndal line expanded to include walking shoes, casual sneakers, boots, and orthotic-friendly styles.

Technological innovations allowed Bjorndal to engineer exceptional arch support, shock absorption, and flexible cushioning using materials like EVA and latex foam. Orthopedic features like contoured footbeds, removable insoles, and adjustable hook-and-loop closures provided custom comfort.

By the 1990s, Bjorndal shoes were available coast-to-coast. The advent of online shopping also allowed Bjorndal to reach new customers looking for wide calf boots, wide width sandals, and extended sizes.

A New Era of Comfort

In 2019, Bjorndal was acquired by Rack Room Shoes, America’s largest family-owned footwear retailer. With over 100 years of experience fitting America’s feet, Rack Room Shoes was uniquely positioned to carry on the Bjorndal legacy.

Together, our focus remains delivering thoughtfully designed shoes with uncompromising comfort and quality construction at a value price point. We’re also expanding Bjorndal’s heritage of empowering women’s style with more on-trend boots, wedges, sandals, flats, and sneakers.

While the fundamentals haven’t changed, Bjorndal is evolving to meet the needs of today’s active woman. We now offer versatile styles to get you through every aspect of your day – whether you’re heading to work, running errands, meeting friends for dinner, or chasing kids around the yard.

Our expanded selection includes officewear like loafer flats, oxfords, and low block heels. Weekend-ready espadrilles, strappy sandals, and casual sneakers will become your sunny day staples. And cozy clogs, slippers, and booties keep you comfortable at home.

Exceptional Craftsmanship

Bjorndal still honors our founder’s commitment to expert artistry and meticulous construction. Our shoes are crafted with care at our own manufacturing facilities and partner workshops. This hands-on approach allows us to personally oversee each detail and ensure the highest standards.

We build upon time-tested techniques like:

• Goodyear welt construction – A hallmark of quality, this traditional method joins the upper and sole with a welt strip for flexibility and durability. Many of our boots feature this superior welt construction.
• Strobel construction – For slip-on comfort, strobel construction stitches the upper directly to a flexible sole without a rigid shank. Many of our clogs and sandals utilize this technique.

We also incorporate modern technologies that improve wearability. These include:

• TPU midsoles – Injected thermoplastic polyurethane delivers durable, flexible cushioning that won’t flatten over time.
• EVA footbeds – Ethylene-vinyl acetate foam conforms to your foot for customized comfort and shock absorption.
• Antimicrobial treatments – Natural bamboo fibers woven into linings provide moisture management and odor control.
• Polyurethane and latex foams – Supportive cushioning molds to your foot for cloudlike comfort.

Our meticulous attention translates to footwear you can trust for all-day wear. Each style combines comfort, support, and slip-resistant durability to keep you stepping lively – mile after mile, year after year.

Feel-Good Materials

Since our founding days handcrafting clogs from wood and leather, Bjorndal has been committed to natural, sustainable materials. We carefully select components that are ethically sourced and environmentally responsible.

Leather remains one of our foremost materials. From buttery-soft nubuck to full-grain leather, each hide passes rigorous inspections for quality and defects. We work closely with tanneries to ensure humane practices and limit environmental impact.

Beyond leather, we incorporate eco-conscious textiles like:

• Cork – Renewably harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, cork naturally conforms to your foot for cushioning comfort. Its antimicrobial properties prevent odors.
• Jute – Made from the fiber of jute plants, jute is breathable and sustainably grown without pesticides.
• Recycled P.E.T mesh – Repurposed from recycled plastic bottles, P.E.T. mesh is durable, quick-drying, and saves waste.
• FSC-certified wood – Sourced from Forest Stewardship Council certified suppliers for responsible forestry practices.

We also prioritize natural components like flaxseed, latex foam, raffia, and sisal woven accents. Our goal is providing supreme comfort and style while treading gently on the earth.

A Perfect Fit For All

Since our founding, Bjorndal has been dedicated to women’s footwear needs. We take pride in accommodating narrow or wide widths, smaller and larger sizes, and styles designed to address problem feet.

Our size range spans women’s 4 to 13, with select styles extending to 14W and 15W. We offer more than 150 styles in wide width, with features like adjustability and removable footbeds to customize your fit.

For petite sizes, our women’s 4 to 7 collection puts chic styling within reach. We also design flattering footwear for the American average women’s size 10 foot.

Those requiring orthotics will appreciate our removable footbeds and cushioned arch support. Options like stretch gore, adjustable closures, and soft fabrics comfortably accommodate bunions, swelling, and hammer toes.

Extended calf boots ranging from 15 to 18 inches open up options for women with athletic calves or swelling. Our expert fit specialists can help find your perfect fit.

While designed for women, many Bjorndal styles are also ideal for growing feet. We offer girls’ and boys’ sizes with the same cushioning features. Even men appreciate our comfort technologies integrated into sandals, clogs, and casual shoes.

We believe supportive, feel-good shoes should be accessible to all. Bjorndal fits a wide spectrum of foot shapes, sizes, widths, and needs – so you can find the style made just for you.

Empowering Self-Expression

Beyond expertly fitted comfort, we design shoes that reflect each woman’s personal style. The days of settling for dowdy “orthopedic” shoes are over.

Our fashion-forward collections let you make a bold statement or channel an effortless vibe. Rich colors, luxe materials, global inspiration, and artisanal details transform everyday comfort into a showcase of self-expression.

The Bjorndal design philosophy draws inspiration from our Scandinavian heritage and European aesthetic. Our in-house team travels the globe to identify emerging trends in silhouette, ornamentation, color palette, and material mix.

These influences shape fashion-focused collections brimming with variety:

• Sophisticated loafers, oxfords, and tailored boots project polished confidence.
• Breezy espadrilles, strappy sandals, and woven details exude carefree vibrance.
• Sleek sneakers, drivers, and skimmers pair sporty minimalism with comfort.
• Luxe metallic leathers, shimmery jacquards, and bold blooms turn up the glamour.

The beauty of our assortment is finding that perfect style to match your personal flair. We believe shoes make the outfit – and you make the shoes. Whatever you choose, wear it with spirit and joy.

Our Vision For The Future

As we embark on our 7th decade, Bjorndal remains inspired by our founders’ values of quality, comfort, and empowered style. We’ll continue Carl and his sons’ legacy by never compromising on craftsmanship or customer experience.

At the same time, we’re forging ahead as a pioneer of feel-good fashion. We’ll keep expanding our selection to reach more women – whether you have a narrow foot, wide foot, small foot, large foot, or problem foot.

And we’ll continue innovating comfort technologies and eco-conscious materials to help you walk, work, play, and live more comfortably.

Most importantly, we strive to inspire confidence in the woman you are today – and the woman you’re becoming. We believe shoes have the power to transform how you feel and face the world. We look forward to continuing this journey with you for years to come.