There’s nothing sexier than painted red toenails inside lace stockings, or bare feet slipping out of combat boots.

If you’re nodding along in agreement, you might have a foot fetish. 

It’s exciting to find out you’ve got a new desire to explore, but it’s also overwhelming. And some fetishes are socially stigmatized, so you might be nervous about embracing this part of your sexuality.

Don’t worry — we’ll offer various ways to ease into foot fetish exploration as well as tips for introducing the idea to a playmate to help you feel comfortable exploring this desire.

What’s a foot fetish?

A foot fetish (or podophilia) is any sexually-motivated arousal triggered by feet. For some, simply the sight of naked feet might do it — others are turned on by high heels, hiking boots, or bound feet. 

Someone who finds feet desirable might want to caress, lick, or gaze at them. And this obsession might extend out to objects like toe rings and stockings.

Unlike a kink — which isn’t necessarily a requisite for sexual fulfillment — a foot fetish is required for satisfaction. A kink might be one sexual fantasy a person wants to play out (among others), but a fetish is a core component of someone’s sexual gratification.

How common are foot fetishes?

Foot worship is widespread — 2018 research found that 1 in 7 individuals have had sexual thoughts about feet at some point. It’s not a taboo or uncommon obsession by any means. 

And, according to that same 2018 study, this fetish is increasingly common among certain groups. Here’s a simplified breakdown, one that doesn’t address genderqueer preferences:

• Heterosexual men: 18%

• Heterosexual women: 5%

• Queer men: 21%

• Queer women: 11% 

But no matter your sexual orientation, know that having a foot fetish is totally normal. 

Why do people have foot fetishes? 

A leading theory regarding any fetish is that childhood experiences can link certain objects or body parts with your sexuality. But you might also develop a foot fetish because of the following reasons:

• Your brain’s neural pathways: The parts of the brain that control foot and genital sensations are close together and, thus, might influence each other. 

• Sex-positivity: If you were raised in a sexually-positive community or created your own as an adult, you’re likely more open to exploring your sexuality and discovering enjoyable fetishes. 

• BDSM interests: Historically, kissing or bathing feet were signs of servitude. So if you’re into playing a more submissive role sexually, feet might turn you on. 

• Cultural/community influences: You might become socialized toward having a fetish if the community around you idolizes or vilifies a particular object or body part. 

Tips for talking with a partner about a foot fetish

Whether you’re the fetishist or fetishee, talking about sexual desires can feel uncomfortable. Here are a few tips for making this conversation as transparent and effective as possible.

If you’re the fetishist

• Be honest: To mitigate discomfort, you might feel pulled to minimize your interests or present them in a jokey way. But you don’t want your true needs to surprise your partner in the moment, so be completely transparent about your interest in foot play and why you think it might enhance intimacy all around. 

• Educate yourself: This is a great way to ensure you’re forthcoming when chatting with your partner. Read up on various ways a foot fetish might manifest itself and options for exploring this desire. 

• Respect boundaries: Your partner may not share this interest, and that's okay. Respect their boundaries and be willing to compromise. Enthusiastic consent is essential for all sexual exploration.

• Start slowly: If the listener is open to exploring, start with simple activities such as foot massages and light touching. Gradually introduce more adventurous actions as you both become more comfortable.

• Return to the conversation: If a partner isn’t ready to explore, give them space and set a date to return to the subject. And if they ever do agree, still schedule regular check-ins to make sure everyone’s comfortable. 

If you’re the fetishee

• Stay open-minded: Approach the conversation with a willingness to understand your partner's desires without judgment. Remember that everyone has different preferences and interests — that’s what’s so great about humankind!

• Express yourself: This conversation prompts both parties to be completely honest. Share any hesitations, ask questions, and feel welcome to request time to process the idea.

• Set boundaries: If you’re open to exploring, discuss your comfort levels and choose safe words and gestures meant to indicate a hard stop to any activities. You might even chat about essential aftercare like cuddling, playing video games, or bathing together. 

• Seek support: Finding out about a partner’s fetish can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve been socialized to look down on certain sexual preferences. Consider chatting with a counselor if you’d like to accommodate this interest but don’t know how. 

6 sexy foot fetish exploration ideas

The hard conversation’s over, and you’ve got a partner who’d love to explore this fetish. We’re excited for you! Here are six great ways to play out this desire:

1. Photos: Exchange images of your feet, perhaps in different settings like between the sheets or in high heels. 

2. Foot massages: Use gentle pressure and soothing movements to help your partner relax and enjoy this activity.

3. New accessories: Try blindfolds to enhance the sensory experience while you use silk scarves or feathers on your partner’s feet.

4. Foot-related foreplay: Use your feet to tease and stimulate your partner’s erogenous zones, like their upper inner thighs or nipples. 

5. Footjobs: Have your partner use their feet on your genitals (they should clean their feet and clip their toenails beforehand).

6. Roleplay: Play out scenes that incorporate this fetish, like dom/sub dynamics where one partner worships the other’s feet. 

So far, we’ve focused on partner play. But you can explore this obsession all on your own. Try out the following ideas when enjoying some solo playtime: 

• Watch porn: Find videos designed for foot fetishists or that include clips focused on foot play. 

• Look at your partner’s photos: If you have a partner who’s interested in helping you explore this desire, ask for foot photos you can use when masturbating. 

• Play with accessories: Incorporate objects like high heels, stockings, and socks into your routine, perhaps touching these items as you touch yourself. 

• Fantasize about foot worship: Dive deep into thoughts about cleansing, kissing, and kneeling at someone’s feet. 

There’s erotic audio for every fetish

Foot fetishes are a common — and super fun — desire to explore. And no matter the method you choose, like playing with stockings or looking at photos, you can pair it with sexy erotic audio.

Quinn is an audio erotica app created by women for the world. Discover a wide range of ethical sexual content meant to help you express every fetish and kink your heart desires.  To access thousands of audio stories and guided sessions, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.