Are you into podophilia? Here's how you'll know

Andrew J. Stillman
·5-min read
What is Podophilia? Portrait of a man in bed looking at his feet with focus on the foot
What is Podophilia? Portrait of a man in bed looking at his feet with focus on the foot

There’s so much more to exploring sex than basic penetration or oral encounters. There are kinks and fetishes aplenty for people to explore, with some a little more taboo than others.

You may know all about the growing popularity of maschalagnia, or a fetish involving sniffing armpits. While the stigma for maschalagnia has lessened over time, it’s not as popular as an even bigger fetish known as podophilia.

You may have had to stop and re-read that word, but you did read it correctly and it is different than what you may have initially read it as.

Podophilia is a foot fetish, and while many people claim to be repulsed by the idea, it’s actually one of the most commonly practiced fetishes out there, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

Let’s take a look at what it is, some misconceptions about it, and how normalized the practice has become.

What’s the deal with feet fetishes?

What is Podophilia? gay legs
What is Podophilia? gay legs

Alvaro Pantoja/Shutterstock

Having a foot fetish is similar many other fetishes in that those who don’t practice it may not understand it and therefore try to shame you for it.

If you experience podophilia, the long story short of it is, you’re sexually attracted to feet or objects associated with feet. Even if people try to shame you for it, there’s nothing wrong with it and you should never be embarrassed so long as you practice safely and with conscent

Often, people sexually attracted to feet find themselves on the butt-end of a joke — that is, until they watch a super hot scene like in Fellow Travelers when Jonathan Bailey sucked on Matt Bomer’s toes.

Is there any psychology behind the sexual fascination?

What is Podophilia? feet on a bed
What is Podophilia? feet on a bed

Dmitry Tkachev/Shutterstock

There’s always a psychological reasoning behind any desire, fantasy, kink, or anything in between, but that doesn’t have to be as scary as people make it out to be.

In 2019, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) published a study through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that focused on sexuality in the 21st century, with an aim to explain fetishism. It noted that the first reports of various types of fetishism date back to the early 19th century, which isn’t actually as long ago as it seems.

During the exploration, the research provided psychoanalysis and behavioral theories to explain the genesis of “fetishistic disorders,” with the primary theory being that the event that spawns the fetish occurs during childhood. It’s explained that, during childhood, people may fixate on a certain object, which causes them to sexually fixate on it during adulthood because they consider it to be a “good” object. The idea is that, as people grow, they become aroused by the objects or body parts that remind them of their childhood.

How popular are feet fetishes?

What is Podophilia? Gay couple relaxing on the bed in pajamas at home. Love and romantic relationships.
What is Podophilia? Gay couple relaxing on the bed in pajamas at home. Love and romantic relationships.

Vlad Orlov/Shutterstock

Sometimes questions like these are difficult to be precise about because oftentimes people, fearing judgment, will not be totally forthcoming about their desires. With that said, a study done by the International Journal of Impotence Research (IJIR) showed podophilia was one of the most commonly practiced fetishes as early as 2007.

The findings at the time showed that around one-third of participants had a preference for body parts or objects usually associated with the body, stating that “feet and objects associated with feet were the most common target of preferences.”

Although you don't have to subscribe to any sexual identity, foot fetishes tend to be more common among men of all types, regardless of their sexual preference.

Is there a difference between a foot fetish and shoe fetish?

What is Podophilia? Gay trying on high heels. The guy with makeup.
What is Podophilia? Gay trying on high heels. The guy with makeup.

Reshetnikov_art/Shutterstock

You may not think it upon initial definition, but having a foot fetish and having a shoe fetish are actually two entirely different things.

For those who prefer feet, that preference usually comes with bare feet. Similar to those who enjoy sniffing armpits, you may want the feet to be dirty or sweaty, or you may prefer them to be clean and smooth.

For those who experience a shoe fetish, also known as retifism, the sexual arousal comes from feet being in shoes, and can even appeal to wearing the shoes yourself. You may prefer specific types of shoes like heels or sandals, but most simply enjoy shoes in general.

While they are not one and the same, many people have a fetish for both.

I think I have a foot fetish, what do I do?

What is Podophilia? Feet of man sleeping in comfortable bed. A young man waking up in bed and stretching his arms. Man on bed
What is Podophilia? Feet of man sleeping in comfortable bed. A young man waking up in bed and stretching his arms. Man on bed

Just Dance/Shutterstock

Communication is always so important, regardless of the topic at hand.

When it comes to podophilia, especially if you’re in a relationship, talk with your partner about your desires and see if you can find a common ground; they may be just as interested but are nervous to share.

If you do decide to explore, either in a relationship or any other partner, you may start out small with some massages or perhaps washing their feet. You may feel more comfortable having your feet played with after having a pedicure, which would make a foot job (stimulating the genitals with your feet) a lot easier and more comfortable.

Although some sexually transmitted infections such as genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transferred through skin-to-skin contact, for the most part, exploring a foot fetish is considered relatively safe.

What type of online platforms exist for me?

What is Podophilia? The bare feet of two guys lie on the bed. They talk, the man moves his hands in bokeh. Gay communication at home. Hands hit. Yellow wall.
What is Podophilia? The bare feet of two guys lie on the bed. They talk, the man moves his hands in bokeh. Gay communication at home. Hands hit. Yellow wall.

Viktor Lom/Shutterstock

In the Age of the Internet, there will always be a place for you to explore what you need.

If you're looking to make money off of your feet, sites like OnlyFans or OnlyFeet are a great avenue and also provide a space where you can keep your identity private. Sometimes people pay plenty of money to do something as simple as watch you take off your socks.


What is Podophilia? Woman feet on a hippie gay colorful towel sunbathing at the beach
What is Podophilia? Woman feet on a hippie gay colorful towel sunbathing at the beach

Zoe Esteban/Shutterstock

There are also options for some feet-only fetishism, as well.

FeetFinder allows users to create profiles that allow them to either view, buy, or sell pictures and videos of feet. It's considered among the largest and safest places online to do so.

Subsequently, FunWithFeet allows for the same. Both platforms offer blogs and more in-depth knowledge about foot fetishes and also offer a community to help you with any of your questions.

As always, it's most important that you explore safely, honor your body along the way, be kind to yourself on your journey, and don't let anyone else tell you how to think or feel.