10 Sizzling Ways to Explore A Foot Fetish

Among fetishes centered on a single body part, the foot fetish reigns supreme – 47% of people who fixate on one particular body part say feet are their thing [1]! Both Elvis Presley and Andy Warhol reportedly had a thing for feet, so you're in good company if a pair of them turns you on.

So, what exactly is a foot fetish?

At its core, it's a sexual fixation on feet, classified specifically as a paraphilia [2, 3]. Someone drawn to this fetish might enjoy touching or kissing another person's feet, or they might prefer being on the receiving end instead. Looking at pictures of attractive feet and footwear can also scratch the itch if you have a foot fetish.

Keep in mind that some people with this fetish are drawn to feet in general, while others only respond to feet dressed a certain way or bare in a specific state. For instance, some enjoy feet tucked into shoes or boots, while others go for sandals or nothing at all. Certain foot fetishists gravitate toward a particular shape, or toes that run long or short.

Some want dainty, feminine feet with a graceful arch. Others among foot fetishists actually favor bigger or more masculine feet. And for a subset of people, feet that are grimy and pungent do the trick. The variety within this — or any — fetish might surprise you. Whatever your taste, there's a pair of feet out there for everyone with this fetish.

How Common Is A Foot Fetish, Really?

There's no need to feel strange about having a foot fetish, or about a partner confessing to one. It might strike you as a little unusual (this list covers even stranger fetishes), but it's completely legal and safe, and sex that incorporates a foot fetish can turn out surprisingly hot! On top of that, it's actually one of the more common fetishes out there.

Related: The Complete List of Fetishes and Kinks

Just how common is it? One study found that among people with a fetish for a specific body part, 47% were drawn to feet — making it the single most common body-part fetish, more than five times as popular as whatever came in second [1]. That same study also found that socks and shoes — items linked to feet — rank among the most commonly fetishized objects. A separate publication lists feet as one of the top body-part fetishes overall, alongside hair and hands [4 pp 89-110].

Feet have shown up in erotic magazines with increasing frequency over recent decades, and some theories even suggest foot fetishism spikes during periods when sexual epidemics (like syphilis) are widespread [5].

What's Behind A Foot Fetish?

Given how widespread it is, the natural next question is what actually causes a foot fetish. Science hasn't landed on one definitive answer — if a single cause even exists! Researcher Vilayanur S. Ramachandran has proposed that the brain regions tied to feet and genitals sit right next to each other, making crossed signals an easy possibility [6].

One theory points to overlap between the brain areas governing arousal and those tied to feet. A different theory suggests foot fetishists were conditioned during a critical stretch of puberty — and that even one memorable event could be enough to spark a lifelong obsession with feet [7].

You might also recall that Freud believed feet resembled genitals, and that this resemblance is where fetishism took root.

Whatever the true cause, plenty of foot fetishists are surely thankful it exists!

Ways To Explore A Foot Fetish

Consider offering some foot attention in trade for him indulging something you've wanted to try in bed. And if you're the one itching to try something a bit kinkier, our guide on sexual communication can help you bring it up with your partner. Just remember that what counts as "kinky" varies from person to person.

Related: 16 kinky Sex Ideas

Here are some sexy avenues for exploring a foot fetish.

1. Foot Massage

If you asked people to define a foot fetish, plenty wouldn't count a foot massage as part of it. Fair enough — lots of people get massages for entirely non-sexual reasons. Still, it deserves a mention, since a sensual massage of the feet could be exactly what introduces you to foot fetishism! Massage is inherently relaxing — everyone loves being pampered — but it can also turn arousing once the body part being worked on carries sexual weight in your mind.

For some, that part is the feet. Alternatively, you might discover that giving your partner a sensual foot and ankle massage gets you just as worked up. Feet are packed with pressure points, making them a natural spot for either giving or receiving a massage. Some reflexology charts map out as many as 20 distinct zones on the foot, each tied to a different part of the body. Worth noting for foot fetish fans: the bottom of the heel is said to connect to the pelvic region.

2. Tickling

Plenty of people like folding tickling into their foot massage or fetish play. It's not for everyone — especially those who are either wildly ticklish or not ticklish at all — but it's worth experimenting with. Try pairing it with some light restraint — read about light bondage — so you can't stop your partner from tickling your feet!

4. Foot Jobs and Genital Stimulation

If your foot fetish runs deeper, a foot job might interest you — stimulating the genitals using the feet. Porn frequently shows women stroking a partner with one or both feet, and you can ease into it with a little footsie under the dinner table. Women don't miss out either, since a partner can rub the vulva with his feet.

Some women can even kneel and press an ankle against their vulva for clitoral stimulation, though that takes a fair amount of flexibility. There are far simpler ways to stimulate your own clitoris, several of which are covered in this guide.

If you're both comfortable with it, you could finish with your partner ejaculating on your feet and toes. Then hop in the shower to rinse off (or let him lick you clean).

5. Oral Attention

Next up is kissing and sucking the feet, toes especially. Clean feet are a must before letting a partner do this, but many find the sensation surprisingly sensual. This holds especially true for women, since they lack the anatomy to receive a blowjob.

Psst, does this have you intrigued? We've got even more kinky sex tips waiting for you here.

6. Pedicures

Pedicures offer another route into foot fetish territory. A professional pedicure leaves your toenails polished and your feet touchable — a nice lead-in to other fetish activities! Begin with a luxurious foot soak, solo or with your partner. If any stray hairs need trimming, you might handle that privately first.

Once your skin has softened from the soak, slough away dead or dry patches. Pat your feet dry — or let your partner do the honors! — then work a moisturizing lotion in slowly. Strip off any old polish and clear away dead cuticles to get ready for fresh color. Two coats of your favorite shade should do it.

Keep in mind that nail polish can stay tacky longer than it looks. A fan speeds things along, and a quick-dry top coat is a smart move so you can get to the fun part sooner!

7. Sexy Footwear

A pedicure keeps hands on feet for an extended stretch, but direct contact isn't required if that's not quite your version of a foot fetish. Take the show "Mistresses" — Josslyn meets a man named Scott, and as their relationship develops, she uncovers his secret: a foot fetish. She initially worries he wants to wear pricey women's heels himself, but learns instead that he loves seeing his partners in them, particularly during sex.

The two of them bond over shoe shopping, and Scott treats Josslyn to expensive shoes she wouldn't normally splurge on, all in service of his fetish. Even though the relationship eventually ends, they enjoyed exploring this side of themselves together along the way. There's a good chance heels make you feel sexy too, and showing off in front of your partner while wearing them might feel the same. Worth a try, right?

Footwear pairs beautifully with sexy lingerie — this post walks you through picking that out. And don't overlook foot jewelry like ankle bracelets and toe rings, which can add plenty of sex appeal too!

8. Erotic Media

It's no shock that a fetish this widespread shows up constantly in erotic media (porn, erotica, cam shows, and more). Plenty of other fetishes make appearances too — one estimate puts fetishism in roughly a quarter of all porn produced in America [8].

Cam performers frame their feet front and center for viewers. Models sell photo sets showing off polished, bare feet. Foot fetish acts like the ones covered here also show up frequently as a theme in written erotica. There's no shortage of material if you have a foot fetish or want to help a partner enjoy his — and you could always create your own foot-focused content, too.

9. Masturbation

Some people with a foot fetish like to experiment by masturbating with footwear — rubbing against a shoe, rubbing a shoe against themselves, or simply watching one while pleasuring themselves. Without an actual pull toward feet specifically, though, this leans closer to a shoe fetish.

10. BDSM and Foot Worship

Foot fetishists often gravitate naturally toward various BDSM activities. Boot worship, for example, shows up often in femdom dynamics – read more about that here. When the dominant woman slips on a striking pair of boots, she might have her submissive partner lick or kiss them as a form of worship. Some men actively seek out professional dommes specifically for this kind of erotic use. Virtual dommes, who interact with clients purely online, have also found that trading videos or photos of their feet and footwear can be a lucrative niche when a client has a foot fetish!

Read More: 10 Femdom Ideas To Dominate Your Man With

This type of foot fetish can also cross over into erotic pain play. A woman in heels or boots might use the heel to pinch or mark a man's skin. Some might even walk on him, as long as it's done without causing lasting harm. In more intense scenarios, a domme might crush or otherwise apply pressure to a submissive's genitals with her feet — a specific practice known as cock and ball torture when the submissive is male.

Flip the dynamic, and you might find yourself thrilled by a suggestive nudge from the toe of your man's boot. If service-oriented submission appeals to you (more on that in this post), then cleaning and polishing his boots could become part of your dynamic.

Of course, pain isn't a requirement here. There are plenty of ways to dominate your man without pain, several of which still satisfy a foot fetish.

Remember, you're never obligated to indulge every one of your partner's whims. Teasing and denying him — withholding stimulation or the object of his desire, in this case your foot or footwear — is another option. Ruined orgasms can also enter the mix if you're feeling especially playful.

Learn more about ruined orgasms.

None of this requires extreme play, of course. You can explore a foot fetish without going anywhere near those intensities. There's no single right way to explore it, as long as no one involved gets permanently hurt and everyone consents. And if your partner brings up a foot fetish that just isn't your thing, that's fine too — there are countless other ways to keep your sex life exciting!

Resources

Check out these resources for more on foot fetishism.

• The New York Post covers how fetishes generate big money on Instagram.
• Filthy dives deep into the history of foot fetishism.
• Curious what it's like inside the mind of a foot fetishist? Check out this post on Thought Catalog.
• Cosmopolitan features people describing the moment they realized they had a foot fetish.
• Dr. Mark D. Griffiths offers an overview of foot fetishism on Psychology Today.
• Daniel G Wood explores the neuroscience behind foot fetishism.
• This article on Shape looks at possible reasons fetishes develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ #1 – Is a foot fetish the same thing as a shoe fetish?

There's often overlap between the two. A foot fetishist might prefer feet dressed in particular footwear. But someone with a foot fetish usually cares about specific qualities of the foot itself, while a shoe fetishist might not care about the foot underneath at all.

FAQ #2 – What causes a foot fetish?

There's no confirmed scientific explanation, but two theories dominate. One centers on the brain regions tied to genitals and feet sitting right beside each other. The other suggests one or more events during puberty conditioned someone to develop a fetish around feet.

FAQ #3 – Is having a foot fetish weird, freakish, or perverted?

Not at all! As covered above, it's one of the most common fetishes there is. It's typically outside a person's control, and plenty of people carry unnecessary shame about it. With a willing partner, though, it can be explored in a healthy, safe way.

If your partner brings up an interest in feet, try to respond calmly and without judgment. It's fine to say you need time to think it over. Use that time to figure out whether you want to participate, and to what extent. And if you're the one realizing you have this fetish, go easy on yourself — it's common and says nothing negative about your character or desires.

FAQ #4 – What if I'd rather not be part of my partner's foot fetish?

Even though it's a common fetish, it's not for everyone. Some partners are happy to help explore it, and it's completely fine if you're not one of them. If your partner keeps pushing after you've said no, it might be worth reconsidering the relationship's sexual dynamic. If he's understanding about your disinterest, it may work for him to enjoy feet through porn or shoes on his own, while the two of you focus on activities you both genuinely enjoy together.

November 9, 2020