When you think of someone’s feet, your first thought may be anything but sexual.
However, fetishizing feet is nothing new, and may actually be much more common than we think.
According to one Men’s Health review of the book Tell Me What You Want, by Justin Lehmiller, Ph.D., up to 1 in 7 men, or approximately 15% of all men admit to finding feet attractive or having a foot fetish.
Table of Contents
What is a foot fetish?
Typically, a foot fetish, like all fetishes, is a fascination and sexual fixation of an object, or, in this case, a foot.
A foot fetish is typically linked to sexual pleasure and/or gratification, although that is not the case for everyone who finds feet attractive or irresistible.
Most men who admit to having a foot fetish find feet attractive and may find that they get sexual pleasure and/or gratification out of looking at them, fantasizing about them, or even touching and playing with feet.
Are there different types of foot fetishes?
Yes, there seems to be a range of foot fetishes. Many fetishes fall within a spectrum, as some fetishes are more degrading or potentially taboo than others.
For some individuals who have a foot fetish, they may enjoy seeing feet in shoes, boots, leather, and other materials.
Others may find that their foot fetish is only aroused or obvious when they are in the act of sex.
Others may only associate the fetish they feel for feet when they are engaging in BDSM acts.
Is having a foot fetish normal?
Yes, it is normal to have a foot fetish. It is also normal to have a range of fetishes, as fetishes can be innate with genetics, or can be triggered by various experiences throughout life, particularly throughout childhood and adolescence.
If approximately 1 in 7 men admits to having a foot fetish, the actual number may be much higher.
Nearly 20% of all men admit to being attracted to feet or having a foot fetish, among other fetishes they also experience and have.
What is having a foot fetish called?
Having a foot fetish may sometimes be referred to as just that, a foot fetish.
However, other terms such as foot fetishism, foot partialism, and foot worship can also be considered a few of the interchangeable terms used to describe foot fetishes today.
While foot worship can be sexual or non-sexual, foot partialism is often a phrase used in more objective and scientific settings.
Is there something wrong with me if I have a foot fetish?
No. There is nothing wrong with an individual who has a foot fetish or who is attracted to the sight of feet.
Most individuals have a variety of kinks and fetishes that develop throughout the course of their lives, beginning in childhood and adolescence, even if they are not sexually active until well into adulthood.
What do I do if I feel bad about having a foot fetish?
The best way to overcome the guilt and shame that are associated with having a foot fetish is to research foot fetishes and familiarize yourself with the concepts of kinks and fetishes.
Once you are comfortable with the idea of exploring your sexuality and your own kinks and fetishes, you are less likely to feel bad or guilty about having a foot fetish.
Why do some people find feet attractive?
While there is no definitive research into foot fetishes, there have been multiple doctors and numerous studies throughout the years to help better recognize and understand foot fetishes.
While some medical professionals hypothesize that foot fetishes are a product of genetic inheritances, personalities, and environments, others believe that fetishes – including foot fetishes – stem from stimulating images paired with innocuous ones, such as feet.
Not all individuals view feet the same way, which is why it is difficult to blanket an entire group of individuals who have a foot fetish.
Those who have foot fetishes may have them due to a simple attraction to the shape of their feet themselves.
There is no right or wrong answer as to why someone may find feet attractive or may fetishize feet.
Why do some people find their feet off-putting, unattractive, or gross?
Though individuals who have foot fetishes can’t seem to get enough of feet, others are completely turned off of feet entirely.
Some individuals may find feet disgusting, gross, or off-putting, especially if they are extremely clean, germaphobes, or if they suffer from mental illnesses such as OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Although most people are fine with the existence and appearance of feet, those who struggle with seeing feet or being exposed to feet in any setting are typically dealing with other issues beneath the surface.
How do I know if I have a foot fetish?
Knowing you have a foot fetish is typically innate, and you will often know it without having to seek help, counseling, or advice from anyone else.
If you have a foot fetish, you may find it difficult to see feet without becoming turned on or wanting to see more of the individual’s foot.
You may find yourself obsessing over feet, the size of a foot, or even the shape of a particular foot you cannot stop looking at or thinking about each day.
If you have a foot fetish, you may also find yourself seeking out strappy heels, high-heel boots, or other types of designer shoes to help an individual show their feet to you. If you have a partner, you may begin seeing their feet in a different light.
You may begin to experience a strong urge to touch the foot of your partner, caress your partner’s foot, or even lick and suck the toes of your partner.
How do I know if the man I am seeing has a foot fetish?
If you are seeing a man and you want to know if he has a foot fetish, the best way to learn is to simply communicate openly with him.
Asking your date about his fetishes and what turns him on can help you to get to know one another better while also allowing you to break the ice immediately.
Whether you prefer a man who has a foot fetish or if you are simply curious, being direct is one of the best ways to get to know someone new in a romantic way.
- You should also keep an eye out for signs that the man you are seeing or dating is into feet or has a foot fetish of his own, such as:
- He cannot keep his eyes off of your feet, even when you are not dressed up or when they are covered
- He always offers to rub your feet and enjoys playing with your feet at all times
- He purchases new shoes for you that will help you to show off your feet and their bone structure as much as possible
- Compliments on the size, shape, and bone structure of your feet, even when you are not dressed up or wearing heels
- Asking for permission to rub, kiss, or smell your feet
- Asking to take photos of your feet in different shoes, nylons, and accessories
What is the best way to learn about foot fetishes?
If you are not familiar with foot fetishes, you can learn more about them by joining local gatherings and groups and even by joining online forums and communities.
Joining online groups and communities is one of the fastest ways to get to know more about a fetish, even if you are new to the idea of fetishes altogether.
Other ways you can learn about foot fetishes and how to become more comfortable with them include:
- Joining a local group for those interested in taboos and fetishes, including foot fetishes
- Becoming a member of an online forum, community, or group
- Joining an online group via social media
- Using the internet to research foot fetishes as well as the types of foot fetishes that are most common and uncommon today
- Researching the web to better understand how those who have foot fetishes express themselves and communicate openly and directly with their partners
- Attempting to engage with someone who has a foot fetish and is willing to explore with you
How can I become more comfortable with my partner’s foot fetish?
Whether you have just recently discovered that your partner has a foot fetish, or you are simply new to exploring foot fetishes altogether, the prospect of becoming comfortable with your partner’s foot fetish may not sit well with you initially.
However, once you are comfortable with what a fetish is, how it manifests, and how you can explore a fetish together with your partner, you will feel much more at ease when approaching the subject altogether.
Some ways to become more comfortable with your partner’s foot fetish might include:
- Researching more about foot fetishes
- Learning about the origin of foot fetishes as well as the types of foot fetishes that are most common among men
- Joining groups and/or communities where it is common and acceptable to discuss fetishes with others and in public
- Asking your partner or significant other about their foot fetish
- Discussing the potential foundation and/or origin of the foot fetish your partner experiences
- Sharing your own personal fetishes and kinks to build trust and positive interactions when getting sexual with your partner
- Remaining open-minded and judgment-free as you navigate your partner’s kinks, taboos, and fetishes
How can I become more comfortable with my own foot fetish?
If you believe you have a foot fetish of your own, it is first important to avoid shaming or quilting yourself.
While you may have been raised to feel guilty or shameful when it comes to sexual kinks, it is imperative to remember that fetishes and kinks are entirely normal and may even be driven biologically.
You can become more comfortable with your own foot fetish by:
- Acknowledging and accepting that having a foot fetish is normal and not outside of the realm of normal reality
- Realizing that most individuals have sexual kinks, preferences, and taboos
- Joining both local and online groups, communities, and message boards to discuss your foot fetish and emotions with likeminded individuals who understand your fetish
- Discussing your fetish with a trusted friend or partner who is open-minded and willing to discuss sexual matters with ease
There is nothing inherently wrong with having a foot fetish.
In fact, fetishes of all kinds are extremely common across the spectrum of gender and sexuality, regardless of your age and the culture you were raised in.
Becoming more comfortable with yourself and with various fetishes can help you to explore your own preferences and sexuality with safe and accepting partners of your own.