Everything You Need To Know About Foot Fetishes

July 09, 2023 5 min read

What is a foot fetish? Eden's temple kink boutique Ireland

 

In the year 2007, a study was conducted examining the membership size of online discussion groups to estimate the prevalence of various sexual fetishes. Once the data had been analysed and calculated, it was evident that there was one clear winner when it came to what fetish was the most common. The winner; the foot fetish. But what exactly is a foot fetish? First we must ask ourselves, what is the definition of a fetish? The Oxford dictionary describes a fetish as; 

"a form of sexual desire in which gratification is strongly linked to a particular object or activity or a part of the body other than the sexual organs."

So, to put it simply, a foot fetish (also known as podophilia), is where the feet, or footwear, are the cause of a person’s sexual arousal. This sexual interest might be as simple as just admiring feet or finding a certain pair of shoes that one finds sexually stimulating. It may also be extend to touching, rubbing, licking, sucking or smelling someone else's feet and/or shoes, as well as involving them in sexual acts (more on that later). 

 

What does science say?

There have been evolving theories throughout the years as to why humans are sexually attracted to feet. 

One of the first people to study such behaviours was Sigmund Freud, who believed that fetishes arose during early childhood. He suggested that when a boy saw their mother’s genitals, they were shocked to find that their mother did not have a penis, later in life leading to an arousal from objects or body parts that were phallic shaped. Basically, that they occur because a person perceives the foot or toes as a penis substitute.

A more modern and equally fascinating theory featured in the book Phantoms in the Brain, by neurologist Vilanayar Ramachandran and science writer Sandra Blakeslee. In the book it is claimed that the brain areas for the feet and the genitals are next to each other, thus creating a kind of neural crosslink between the two parts, which in turn, can be a cause of foot fetishism.

Ramachandran claimed he solved the mystery of the foot fetish while studying the brain malfunctions that lead to phantom limb syndrome, a condition in which patients experience sensations, whether painful or otherwise, in a limb that does not exist. He found that the syndrome resulted when a person's "body image map" — the brain's map of the body, in which different body parts are associated with and controlled by different brain regions — failed to erase the part of the map that corresponded to the amputated limb.

In the case of some phantom foot patients, Ramachandran found that the patients' brains didn't just fail to erase the missing foot from their body image map, they accidentally rewired the map in a way that caused the phantom foot to become sexualised in their minds. Phantom foot patients reported feeling sexual pleasure, and even orgasms in their missing feet!

Long before Ramachandran began his work on phantom limb syndrome, it had been noted that the brain areas associated with genitalia and feet are adjacent to each other in the brain's body image map. Remarkably, nobody linked the two together or realised that foot fetishes could possibly result from cross-wiring in the brain between the foot and the genital areas.

As Ramachandran wrote in his book "Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind" (1999): "Maybe even many of us so-called normal people have a bit of cross-wiring, which would explain why we like to have our toes sucked."

 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOT FETISHES

Different types of foot play

Foot Jobs

Just like a hand job is masturbation using the hands, a foot job is masturbation using the feet. Start by lubing up your partners genitals and gently stroking your toes up and down the shaft. Use your heels and each different part of your feet to create fantastic sensations, the feet are sensitive so this can feel very unique. Water-based lube is the best tool for the job in this instance and be sure to to keep a towel handy for easy cleanup. Add some extra spice to the encounter by wearing a sexy pair of shoes while performing the act (if you're both happy to do so!), be mindful of the material of the shoes, high shine PVC or leather will certainly be easier to clean than something like suede!

Your partner might also be interested in having you insert a toe (or toes) into one of their orifices. Start slow, take your time and enjoy the new sensations this creates. Once again, be sure to use plenty of lube and even more importantly, keep your feet clean and your toe nails trimmed and filed. Clean feet and trimmed toes are of utmost importance if they're going inside someone’s body. 

 

Trampling

Many foot fetishists enjoy the feeling of their partner’s feet on their face, whether it’s a gentle foot-on-face massage, toes in the mouth or “trampling”. Trampling is a sexual activity that involves being trampled underfoot by another person or persons. One partner lies on the ground while the other uses their feet to exert a more intense pressure on their face. For some, trampling can be closely linked to sadomasochistic fetishism, humiliation, physical domination, or other forms of BDSM.

 

Shoe Worship

For many, a foot fetish is just as much (if not more) about what's on the feet as it is for the feet themselves. Allowing your partner to choose your footwear and see you try on different pairs of shoes is a great non conventional type of foreplay that will heighten arousal to the maximum. For many, the arousal comes from the shoes themselves, whether that's stilettos, sandals or trainers as well as the materials they're made from like PVC or leather. Have detailed discussions with your partner about what types of footwear they find sexy and use the information provided to your advantage. Sending your partner a sexy picture of your feet in their favourite pair of stilettos while they're working hard at the office is a sure fire way to stimulate their sexual needs.

 

Foot Massages

Asking for a foot massage, or offering one, can provide a natural way to get more physical and hands on with your foot fetish. Be sure to create a nice atmosphere first, a clean room, some scented candles and relaxing music will set the mood. Using essential oils is always a good idea and there is something very sensual about having warm oil lathered on the feet and between the toes. 

Start at the ankle and slowly rub the oil down over the top of the foot. With each stroke begin applying more pressure. The feet are sensitive and different areas might be more or less sensitive depending on the person so be sure to check-in with your partner to see if less or more pressure is needed. Move your way down toward the toes. Using your thumbs, rotate gently around each toe. Don’t forget to venture in between the toes too. Some people might find the whole process too ticklish to enjoy it properly and that's ok, play in a light hearted manner and share the laugh together, creating memories and discovering new kinks together. 

everything you need to know about foot fetishes

Communicate

Speaking openly with a sexual partner about a fetish and answering each others questions honestly and without fear or shame can open gateways into exploring fetishes in a safe and consensual environment. Explain to your partner that you want to try something new, outline what it is and suggest some easy steps (listed above) that you could try to begin with. The most important factor to consider when integrating fetishes into relationships and activities with sexual partners is consent. Making sure that all partners give consent to each activity increases the chances that a fetish can be successfully introduced into a relationship.

 

Summary

In summary;

  • feet are sexy
  • foot fetishes are more common than you think
  • according to freud, people are attracted to feet because they resemble the male penis
  • foot jobs feel amazing
  • don't ejaculate on suede shoes
  • stilettos are sexy
  • trampling is real
  • crossed wires in our brains create a longing to have our toes sucked
  • consent is sexy

 

 


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