Welcome to Burudani® Shoes, your number one source for high-quality, comfortable, and stylish footwear. We’re dedicated to providing you shoes that make you feel good from the ground up.
Our Story
It all started in 1975 when our founder, John Burudani, opened a small shoe repair shop in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. John had a knack for cobbling and a passion for helping people put their best foot forward.
In the early days, John repaired men’s dress shoes and children’s school shoes. He took pride in extending the life of well-loved footwear and making sure each customer walked out his door happy. Word spread about John’s excellent craftsmanship and affordable prices. Before long, his business was booming.
Seeing the joy new shoes brought his customers, John decided to expand his offerings. He began selling a small collection of men’s boots that he designed and handmade himself. His classic, durable styles earned him a loyal local following.
In 1983, John moved his operation into a larger workshop and opened the first Burudani Shoe Store. He hired additional skilled cobblers to meet growing demand. While continuing shoe repair services, the bulk of the business shifted to selling John’s expanding line of shoes.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, the company grew rapidly. John launched his first women’s shoe collection in 1989. In 1995, the Burudani brand went national with catalogue sales. By the early 2000s, John had 10 brick-and-mortar stores across the Midwest.
In 2005, John handed the company reins to his daughter, Jennifer Burudani. She modernized operations and led Burudani’s expansion online. Today, Burudani.com ships Burudani shoes to customers worldwide while staying true to our roots with 3 hometown Chicago stores.
Now in its fifth decade, the Burudani brand remains family-owned and focused on John’s founding goal: delivering high-quality, comfortable shoes you can count on day after day.
Our Values
We built the Burudani brand on a few core values that guide our work:
- Quality craftsmanship – Our shoes are made to last. From materials to construction, we don’t cut corners.
- Timeless style – Our classic, versatile designs never go out of fashion. We make shoes you’ll wear season after season.
- Comfort and fit – Finding the perfect fit is essential. We offer wide size ranges and innovative comfort technologies to keep you happy all day long.
- Ethical production – We proudly partner with factories that provide safe conditions and fair wages for their workers.
- Sustainability – From leather sourcing to packaging, we strive to make sustainable choices that are kinder to the planet.
- Customer happiness – Your satisfaction means everything to us. We stand by our products and go the extra mile for our customers.
These simple values underpin our half-century of shoe-making success. We’re committed to upholding them as our company continues growing.
Our Footwear
Since our beginning as a humble shoe repair shop, we’ve expanded our footwear offerings dramatically. Today, we offer a wide selection of men’s, women’s, and kids’ shoes in an array of categories:
Men’s Shoes
Our men’s line includes classic boots, oxfords, loafers, sneakers, sandals and more. Choose from leisure and dress styles crafted from fine leathers like our Goodyear Welted Leeds Cap Toe Oxford. Its classic styling makes it a boardroom-to-bar staple. Or kick back in the comfortable Brentwood Chukka Boot with its flexible crepe sole and full-grain leather upper. We use advanced comfort technologies like antibacterial, moisture-wicking linings and flexible rubber soles in many designs like our popular Mallard Sneaker.
Women’s Shoes
Burudani offers countless options for fabulous female feet. Must-have styles include our sleek Carla Loafer made from ultra-soft Nappa leather and set on a walkable low heel. Slip into our flexible Clara Flat with a cushioned insole and stretchy elastic topline. Or turn heads in show stoppers like our Natalie Bootie featuring a stacked block heel, pointed toe, and rich suede upper. Whether you need heels, flats, sandals, or slip-ons, we’ve got you covered.
Kid’s Shoes
Even little feet deserve Burudani comfort and quality. Our kids’ shoes marry advanced comfort features with cute styling and rugged durability. The Jax Sneaker features a lightweight mesh upper with a stabilizing heel wrap. The Mary Jane-inspired Ella Shoe has an adjustable hook-and-loop strap. And our popular Carter Boot is a pint-sized version of our Brentwood Chukka. It can withstand the roughest playground adventures.
Sale Styles
Don’t miss out on our sale section! We regularly offer great discounts on past season styles and discounted products. Score major savings on Burudani quality while supplies last.
Custom Shoes
For a truly personal Burudani shoe experience, check out our custom design lab. Select your own leathers, colors, linings, hardware, and sole. Add custom embroidery or other unique details. Work directly with our skilled artisans to create your dream shoes from the ground up.
Our Heritage
We’ve come a long way from John Burudani’s original Chicago cobbler shop. But our heritage of quality workmanship and customer satisfaction remains at the core of who we are. Here are a few highlights of our nearly 50 year company history:
- 1975 – John Burudani opens his neighborhood shoe repair shop.
- 1983 – The first Burudani Shoe Store opens in Chicago.
- 1989 – Burudani launches its first women’s shoe collection.
- 1995 – Catalogue sales take Burudani national.
- 2000 – The 10th Burudani store opens.
- 2005 – Jennifer Burudani takes over, launching online sales.
- 2020 – Burudani ships over 1 million pairs of shoes!
It’s been an amazing journey building Burudani into the brand it is today. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years bring as we continue helping you step out in style.
Our Production Process
Producing quality footwear is an artisan craft. While we’ve scaled our production over the decades, we adhere to the human-driven methods John Burudani perfected.
“Machines can’t replace the trained eyes, hands, and care that go into making a great shoe.” – John Burudani
Our production process works like this:
1. Design and Prototyping
Our talented U.S.-based designers sketch initial concepts and material selections. Prototypes are then handcrafted to test fit, function and style. Feedback from wear testing goes back into the design until perfected.
2. Sourcing Materials
We source leathers from trusted tanneries that meet our specifications for durability, feel and origin. Other components like rubber soles also undergo rigorous inspection. We only use materials that meet Burudani’s high standards.
3. Assembly
Our global production partners are long-tenured experts at their craft. Skilled artisans cut leather parts by hand for precision. Shoes are stitched and assembled using a mix of hand tools and select machinery, always under meticulous human guidance.
4. Quality Control
Before shipping, every order undergoes multiple quality checks. We examine materials, construction, sizing, and aesthetic details. If anything is less than perfect, it’s back to the line. Your Burudani shoes pass muster every time.
While our process involves machines and global logistics, handcrafting by master shoemakers remains at the heart of Burudani. Our time-tested human focus delivers consistent quality across decades.
Our Commitment to Comfort
Since John Burudani’s cobbler days, delivering optimal comfort is our top priority. Poorly fitting, uncomfortable shoes can ruin anyone’s day. That’s why we build comfort into every design from the start.
“A shoe should feel as good at the end of the day as when you first put it on.” – John Burudani
Here are some of the comfort innovations we build into Burudani footwear:
- Contoured Footbeds – Anatomically shaped to match the curves of your feet and provide arch support.
- Cushioning – Strategic cushioning pads pressure points like heels and balls of feet.
- Flexibility – Outsoles and materials that move naturally avoid pinching and rubbing.
- Breathability – Mesh panels and linings wick moisture to keep feet cool and dry.
- Wide Size Ranges – Shoes sized in full and half sizes up to men’s 15 / women’s 12 ensure ideal fit.
- Slip Resistance – Outsole tread grips ground to avoid slips and falls.
- Lightweight Construction – Reduced weight decreases fatigue over long wear.
- Premium Leathers – Softer, naturally breathable leathers conform to feet.
- Laceless Options – Slip-ons and hook-and-loop closures eliminate pressure points from laces.
- Removable Insoles – Allows use of custom orthotics.
- Antimicrobial Linings – Stops undesirable foot odors.
Combined together in our designs, these elements provide all-day comfort and support so you can walk, work, and play pain-free.
Our Focus on Sustainability
From materials sourcing to our office practices, Burudani strives to reduce our environmental impact and build a sustainable company. Key elements of our sustainability program include:
Responsible Materials Sourcing
We carefully vet suppliers to ensure sound environmental and labor practices like:
- Leather – We avoid leather from endangered rainforests. Our tanneries are rated Silver or Gold by the Leather Working Group for sustainability.
- Rubber – Our rubber is responsibly harvested from HEVEA tree farms.
- Cotton – Our cotton is organically sourced and GOTS certified.
- Synthetics – We use recycled polyester and PET plastics when possible.
Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
Our factories apply standards like:
- Renewable energy initiatives
- Waste and water use reduction
- Safer chemical management
- Air quality practices
Corporate Sustainability
Our offices aim for sustainability via:
- Energy efficiency upgrades
- Expanded recycling/composting
- Green shipping materials + packaging
- Reforestation partnerships to offset emissions
Our employees are encouraged to find new ways to improve our sustainability. It’s an ongoing journey we undertake with care for the planet and future generations in mind.
Our Ethical Sourcing Commitments
In addition to environmental standards, Burudani prioritizes ethical treatment of workers throughout our supply chain via:
Auditing and Accountability
All factories are frequently audited for:
- Safe working conditions
- Fair wages and overtime policies
- Proper hiring practices and work hours
- Protection of human rights
Violations can shut down partner relationships. We regularly inspect for compliance.
Certified Production Partners
We vet factories using standards like:
- Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
- International Labor Organization (ILO) standards
This ensures they uphold the strongest codes of conduct.
Supply Chain Transparency
Burudani publicly discloses its suppliers, audit reports, and progress. We believe transparency drives positive change.
Living Wages
We aim to ensure workers earn fair living wages covering basic needs. This is a priority of our ethical standards.
We’re committed to forging an ethical supply chain where all workers are treated with humanity and respect.
Customer Happiness Promise
Since the beginning, John Burudani built his business on keeping customers satisfied. We continue that focus today with policies like:
Quality Guarantee
We back our products with a 1 year defect warranty. If manufacturing issues pop up during normal wear, we’ll repair or replace shoes free of charge.
Hassle Free Returns
Not thrilled with your shoes? You can return unworn merchandise within 30 days of purchase for a full refund. We want you to love your Burudanis.
Free Shipping and Returns
Enjoy fast, free shipping on all orders. If you return items, we provide a prepaid label – returns are on us.
Easy Exchanges
Need a different size or color? Swap out items using free return shipping within 30 days of delivery.
Rewards Program
Earn points with purchases redeemable for discounts. Our loyalty program saves you money on future Burudani shoes and accessories.
At Burudani, we stand behind the products we make and do all we can to ensure your happiness. Please reach out if we can improve your experience.
Come Join Our Story
We’re so glad you’ve taken the time to learn about Burudani’s journey and shoemaking philosophy. If you like what you’ve read, we invite you to become part of our story.
Browse our latest shoe collections at Burudani.com for men, women and kids. All ship for free right to your door. Don’t know where to start? Check out our convenient style guides featuring our most-loved designs.
Visit one of our three original Chicago stores – step inside where the Burudani legacy began. Our knowledgeable staff would love to fit you in person.
Already a Burudani fan? Follow us on social media like Facebook and Instagram for brand updates, new launches, contests and more. And remember to share your #MyBurudanis moments with us.
Or if you have feedback or questions, please reach out. We value everyone who puts their trust in Burudani footwear. Here’s to many more years helping you step forward in comfort and style!