As strain on the heels and bottoms of feet may cause dry skin to break, overweight individuals may be prone to damaged skin conditions. This is often prevented by wearing shoes with heel pads or glasses, which keep your skin from growing underneath the stress of the weight of the body. Those pretty running shoes you like to wear could put your feet at risk for cracks by allowing the heel and foot to expand and the skin to become thin. This is the result of wearing shoes that do not fit your foot properly or have very thin soles.