Heel socks can be classified into two widely known types that are present in the market — ones with built-in moisturizing gel and ones without it.
These heel socks don’t come infused with hydrating agents right out the box and need to be used with products like lotion or foot cream. They still may have a gel lining on the heel that helps keep the moisture locked inside which promotes healing.
On the other end of the spectrum, heel-socks with built-in gel are meant to have healing and hydrating properties on their own, without relying on any external products (though they still help improve results). Avoid washing these socks until necessary to get the most out of them, and store them in a safe place when you take them off.
Since you’re buying heel socks primarily for medical reasons, your purchase decision should be centered around the particular foot issues you’re facing. For instance, if you’re dealing with heel pain and want some extra cushioning under it, then socks with a softer gel lining make the most sense.
Similarly, if you have deep cracks, extremely dry patches, and calluses on your heel, you need some strong hydrating agents to be infused into it. If you just want to keep your feet warm during the day, you can get socks with or without moisturizing agents.
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you may not have trouble with chronic pain. But if you walk a lot or have a standing job, you’ll need a pair of socks with an advanced healing solution. Try keeping them on throughout the day for continuous healing, while the additional cushioning from the gel lining will serve as a bonus to prevent future harm.
For faster healing, wear these socks overnight with additional foot creams or moisturizing agents like lotions and aloe.
If you don’t have any noticeable issues but simply want to treat your feet to a passive form of pedicure throughout the day, get some socks that are infused with mineral oils. They’ll help keep your feet supple and soft!
The fabric is lined with a moisturizing gel that consists of olive oil, vitamin E, and jojoba seed oil to deeply hydrate and moisturize the rough skin around your heels. For even better results, you can also add some extra aloe or moisturizing lotion before putting these on. With such a nourishing, quality design and a variety of different colors, these heel socks are the best available option overall.
First up, we have ZenToes Heel Socks! These are made up of 100% cotton and come as a two-pack in gray, green, pink, blue, and black colors. The regular size fits most peoples’ feet well with its stretchability, but if you’re taller than average or plus-sized, feel free to go with a larger variant for a comfier fit.
We love that these socks take moisture-locking one step further with silicone inserts at the base of the sock for faster skin repair! The toeless design, vented airflow, and soft-stretch material ensure optimal comfort to make sure you keep them on and come back to them every day for uninterrupted dry feet treatment. It comes as a pack of two (four socks), so even if one pair is in the wash, the other one is always ready to go!
This list’s runner-up is Dr. Frederick’s Original Heel Socks. These promise to restore badly cracked and dry heels in just one week of consistent nightly wear — all you need to do is wash your feet, apply your favorite moisturizing lotion, throw these on, and go about your day as usual! They’re designed to be comfy enough to wear overnight as the continuous seven to eight hours of contact while sleeping can work wonders for healing.
The toeless, vented design is supposed to prevent the socks from getting too warm throughout the day and as you sleep. Unlike most other 100% cotton heel socks available on the market, this one has 10% spandex that allows it to stay grippy even after hours of usage. It also makes it stretchable enough to fit everyone comfortably. It also has a thick padded gel at the base that not only helps moisture stay locked in, but also cushions the impact between your heel and the ground throughout the day for additional comfort.
At number three, we have these Heel Socks from Codream. First off, the botanical gel infused in it is the best one out of all other options on this list. Meanwhile, it’s hypoallergenic and provides intensive hydrating treatment to dry, cracked, hard, or rough heels with ingredients like vitamin E and mineral oils including grape seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, rose oil, and more.
The heel part of the sock is infused with moisturizing gel and gets you the best results when used with some additional foot cream. It’s available in six unique colors including purple, blue, turquoise, pink, gray, and black. The contouring is primarily designed for women, but can also fit men thanks to the product’s high stretchability.
Here, we have Selizo’s Heel Socks for Women. It comes as a pack of six and promises all-day, and all-night comfort with a unique take on the material. Being 80% cotton and 20% polyester, it claims to be elastic enough for stretchy comfort, great breathability, and 24-hour heel repair.
Made out of a flexible blend of cotton and polyester, these socks fit well on any size feet of men and women alike. The heel is lined with an excellent hydrating gel, but it’s recommended to use these with some foot cream for quicker and better healing. In just seven days of consistent use of at least 60 to 80 minutes per session, you’ll start to feel the difference as your heels start to retain more moisture and get noticeably supple.
Last but not least, we’ve got the Exptolii Heel Socks. These offer the best value for money out of all other options on this list, earning it a well-deserved spot. For under 10 bucks, you get a three-pack of moisturizing socks that come in gray, green, and pink colors, as well as an all-black combo.
A: Yes, moisturizing heel socks are supposed to be reused. You can reuse them about 30 to 40 times depending on their durability, and how carefully you keep them. You can extend their life by avoiding direct sun exposure, and handwashing with cold water instead of machine-washing.
A: High-quality moisturizing socks can last you about six to seven months, but that depends on the materials, usage, and how well you care for them.
A: You don’t directly need to moisturize your heel socks. Simply wash your feet, dry them off with a towel, and apply a lotion of your choice all over them. Then, put your moisture-locking heel socks on.