Best Shoes for Cracked Heels

Cracked heels usually occur when there is a disruption in the skin barrier on your heels.

Cracked heels can be painful and look bad, especially if you wear sandals.

Some shoe types can cause and aggravate cracked heels. That is why you need the best shoes for cracked heels.

This article looks at some of the best shoe options safely and comfortably for cracked heels and hides them.
If you have a foot condition or ongoing foot pain, talk to a doctor or podiatrist. Shoes can add comfort and support, but they are not a medical treatment.

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Cracked Heels and How Your Shoes Affect Them

Any variable that can dry out the skin or cause friction on your heels may cause cracked heels.

Wintertime and a lack of humidity are likewise viable culprits for cracked heels.

Poorly fitting shoes that cause friction will aggravate and even crack heels.^[1] Similarly, open-back shoes can leave your heels open to wind and dry air, which in turn can cause them to crack.

When you stand for long periods, you may also experience cracked heels, particularly if you do not wear the proper footwear.^[2]

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Some Tips on Treating Dry and Cracked Heels

There are, however, a few tips that you can follow to help heal cracked heels and keep them from coming back;

• Wear Proper Footwear – With Cracked heels, a high-heeled shoe is your worst enemy; alongside the open-heeled sandal, the pressure on your heels from a high heel and the open design that is less protective from and opens back sandal can cause your heels to crack and make them much worse.
• Natural Socks – Not exactly cracked heels, but a moist and damp environment inside a closed shoe can quickly lead to fungal infections that resemble cracked heels. Thus, more natural materials such as cotton and bamboo are advised for socks.
• Seal Deep Cracks – Cracks in your heels that have become very deep and painful must be sealed with a liquid bandage to ease the pain and keep the wounds clean. An antibiotic ointment can also be used for faster healing.
• Groom Your Feet – Exfoliating and grooming your heels and feet regularly can help you remove dead and old skin and, in turn, keep a healthy skin layer to protect you against infections.
• Moisturize Your Feet – The last and most important thing in managing cracked heels is to keep your feet Clean and Moisturized. These two elements nourish dry and cracked heels, prevent infection, and prevent the skin from drying out, which causes cracked heels.

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Features of a Good Shoe for Cracked Heels

• Closed Heel – Shoes with a closed heel design will protect cracked heels and hide them to give you more confidence. Closed-design shoes, as well as some sandal models, all offer you a closed-heel style.
• Cotton and Lightweight Materials – Materails like cotton and lightweight materails breathe well and will not agitate or scrape against cracked heels. Also, look for a smooth interior that does not cause chafing and friction that may aggravate cracked heels.
• Cushioning – Good midsole cushioning is ideal for comfort and protecting your cracked heels against hard impacts.
• Comfortable Fit – If your shoe fit is uncomfortable, it can cause pressure against painful and cracked heels or chafing if the shoe is too big. Both these cases may worsen and even cause more painful cracked heels.
• Outsole – The outsole is important in durability and slip resistance. You can always look for a durable synthetic or rubber outsole with good traction.

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Key Specs Compared

Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).

Key specs of the 5 shoes reviewed below

No.	Shoe	Type	Upper	Closure	Cushioning (as listed)
1	Skechers Go Walk Joy	Heeled Shoe	Mesh	–Not stated	Goga Mat
2	KEEN Newport H2 Closed	Sandal	–Not stated	Lace-up	–Not stated
3	New Balance W1080 Version 10	Running Shoe	–Not stated	–Not stated	–Not stated
4	Roxy Rory	Heeled Shoe	–Not stated	Slip-on	Memory foam
5	Rockport Ridge Sling	Sandal	Leather	Hook-and-loop	EVA

– = not stated on the Amazon listing. Specs as stated by the listing, not tested by us; check the listing before you buy.

Reviews: The Best Shoes for Cracked Heels

These are a few shoe designs that are comfortable and flattering for ladies who have cracked heels;
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1

The Skechers Go, Walk Joy is a comfortable slip-on shoe for cracked heels. It is available in a wide variety of colors.

• The Skechers Go Walk Joy has a slip-on design, making it easy to put on and take off.
• The heel offers a snug and narrow fit to prevent heel chafing.
• The uppers are textiles with a soft fabric lining to wick away excess moisture without drying out your feet.
• There is a parametric cushioned 5Gen midsole for comfort and cushioning.
• Inside is a breathable mesh liner and comfortable cushioned insole.

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2
The KEEN Newport H2 Closed is a cushioned sandal, made for warm days, and it is worth a look for shoes for cracked heels.

• Washable polyester webbing featuring quick dry lining for active use in and out of the water.
• Lace lock bungee capture system provides a secure fit while offering quick and easy on and off. Light flexible cushioning springs back after each step, a useful trait in shoes for cracked heels.
• Multi directional lugs with water channeling grooves help provide superior grip on slippery or wet terrain. Non marking rubber leaves no marks indoors or on boats, helpful on the surfaces you meet during everyday wear.
• Built on a women specific foot form that is wider than the industry norm for improved fit and comfort. Non removable footbed with added arch support for all day comfort, a feature worth weighing when comparing shoes for cracked heels.
• KEEN water sandals are machine washable. Use a small amount of detergent then wash on gentle cycle and air dry. Then get back out there and have some fun in warm weather.
• Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
• Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.

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3
The New Balance W1080 Version 10 is a running shoe, made for daily miles, and it is worth a look for shoes for cracked heels.

• Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
• Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.

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4

The Rory from Roxy is a lightweight and breathable shoe made of cotton, which is ideal for cracked heels.

• The Roxy Rory is a light cotton sneaker that will not dry out your feet.
• The heel has a fitted design that will not slip.
• The uppers are textile cotton, and inside is a terry cloth lining.
• There is a lightly padded insole, a flexible TPR-injected outsole, and a molded arch detail.

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5
The Rockport Ridge Sling is a supportive lightweight sandal, made for warm days, and it is worth a look for shoes for cracked heels.

• Leather upper is easy to clean and maintain, and perforated details on the leather add visual interest.
• Anatomically molded EVA footbed provides foot-conforming, flexible, and lightweight impact absorption, which helps keep long stretches of everyday wear comfortable.
• Microfiber lining creates a breathable feel so you feel cool and confident, which helps feet stay comfortable through everyday wear.
• TPR outsole increases overall traction control in these leather sandals for women, helpful on the surfaces you meet during everyday wear.
• Adjustable hook-and-loop closures help give you the sense of a custom fit for optimal comfort, worth noting if fit is a priority for shoes for cracked heels.
• Check the Amazon listing for current colors and size availability before you order.
• Compare the size chart on the listing, since fit can vary between colorways and versions.

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Index Table: Top Rated Shoes for Cracked Heels

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Sources

General background on foot health and footwear. This is not medical advice; see a doctor or podiatrist about foot pain or a foot condition.

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo): Athletic Shoes
2. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Foot Comfort and Safety at Work

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Update History

• Oct 2026: Updated Keen Newport H2 to KEEN Newport H2 Closed
• Oct 2026: Updated New Balance 680V7 to New Balance W1080 Version 10
• Oct 2026: Updated Rockport Total Motion to Rockport Ridge Sling
• Oct 2026: Removed Rockport Brynn (unavailable)
• Jul 2021: Added Skechers Go Walk Joy and New Balance 680V7
• Jun 2021: Added Keen Newport H2
• Nov 2020: First published

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