Whether it's missionary being their 'go-to' sex position or the body part that's an 'instant boner button', we've got a pretty solid idea of what turns men on. A foot fetish isn't a surprise either, with about one in seven people (typically men) getting turned on by our toes. In fact, the price of foot-related content is far outpacing inflation due to demand. Pricing in niches like boot worship (+55%), high heels (+37%) and dirty feet (+36%) are soaring on porn site Clips4Sale.
But there's another foot fetish niche that is also becoming more popular. Known as 'pedal pumping' or 'revving', the act of a woman's foot pushing down an accelerator pedal, in a high heel or barefoot, is proving to be quite alluring on the porn site. A dedicated forum for the fetish sees 3,700 weekly visitors, watching as manicured toes pump pedals repeatedly.
Why is pedal pumping a turn on?
Psychosexual therapist Becky Crepsley-Fox tells Metro there's a wealth of reasons this seemingly mundane act could sexually excite someone. 'The way the foot moves as it pushes down on the accelerator can feel seductive, and for the more imaginative among us, it can mimic the stroking of a penis,' she explains. 'Pair this with a damsel-in-distress moment, which some people find erotic, and the sound of the engine revving can add intensity and adrenaline.'
Pedal pumping can also feed into another fetish: mechanophilia. This is a fetish for cars and machinery. 'Depending on the scene, the element of damsel-in-distress can fall into domination or voyeurism, as the woman may be vulnerable and on her own in a broken down car and need saving,' Becky explains. 'It's usually the scene that makes this sexy, as much as the movement itself.'
But, overall the psychosexual therapist says revving is just one of the manifestations of ways in which people experience sexual desire, and it's perfectly normal. To put it into practice, all you need is a car and your partner to push the pedal into the floor. Simple.
Why do we have a sexual fascination with feet?
Becky explains that studies have revealed it's typically men who are more likely to develop a fascination with feet, and other objects and body parts in general. 'For some men it has to be a foot in a certain type of shoe, and for others the foot itself is the object,' she says. 'This is seen in men of all sexual orientations. As for why, one theory is that men's arousal tends to be more visually led, so it may attach more readily to a specific body part or object.'
The numbers prove the humble foot fetish is far more popular than we realise. One foot fetish community on Reddit sees 48,000 weekly visitors alone. But, it's not one size fits all. 'It can look different for a lot of people,' Becky explains. Some enjoy feet in heels, or really made up with toe rings and nail polish, whilst others prefer feet that are dirty or covered in calluses. 'Some like feet that smell fresh, and others like feet that smell unwashed.'
A foot fetishist's perspective
One foot fetishist, Fletcher, from New Zealand, shared with Metro exactly what gets him going. 'I don't know why I find feet attractive or why certain feet are more attractive than others but I can tell you what I'm attracted to,' he said. 'The sexiest type of foot would be long skinny soles with long toes, high arches, painted toenails (black is my fave), and soft oily shiny soles. I like smaller petite feet as well, but this is my favourite. I also find it more attractive when feet are ticklish. Dirty feet can be hot too but only as humiliation with feet that would be attractive if clean. What makes feet so great as a submissive is that I can be teased in public anywhere, and it's so easy to do it. And if I'm with a girl who knows I have a foot fetish she can dangle her shoes or rub her feet together or put them on me or something. That'll get any guy with a foot fetish a little aroused.'
While Fletcher might not know why he's turned on by that, Becky believes it's because feet are quite an intimate part of the body. 'They're usually hidden unless we're at home or it's very hot,' she explains. 'In some settings it's not appropriate to have your feet out at all, and I think with any secrecy comes allure and excitement. Some people believe early adolescent experiences play a part, too, where feet featured in sensory play and became linked with excitement. I think there's also something about the fact feet can get particularly smelly and dirty, and can then be washed and made up. Not many other areas of the body get that kind of makeover.'
