13 Sexual Fetishes & Kinks You Didn't Know About

Let’s be real—human sexuality is wildly diverse. While some kinks are practically mainstream now (looking at you, spanking and dirty talk), there are tons of lesser-known fetishes out there that might surprise you.

Maybe you’ve got a turn-on that feels a little unusual or taboo—chances are, it’s way more common than you think.

In fact, research in The Journal of Sex Research found that nearly half of people (45.6%) are curious about at least one “non-traditional” sexual behavior, and a third (33%) have actually tried one. So if you’ve ever wondered whether your fantasies are “normal,” the answer is almost always yes.

Read on for 13 fascinating fetishes and kinks—some playful, some extreme, all totally human. You might even find one that sparks your curiosity.

Kink vs. Fetish: What's the Difference

The terms “kink” and “fetish” often get used interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same:

• Kink: A broad term for any sexual interest or practice that goes beyond “vanilla.” Think roleplay, bondage, spanking, or even teasing control games. A kink spices things up—but it’s not something you need every time.

• Fetish: A more specific fixation. It’s when sexual gratification becomes strongly tied to a particular object, body part, or act—like latex, shoes, or feet. For someone with a fetish, that element may feel essential to getting turned on.

So: all fetishes are kinks, but not all kinks are fetishes. Example—loving to be blindfolded is a kink. Needing to be blindfolded every single time? That’s edging into fetish territory.

Are you familiar with any of these surprising kinks and fetishes?

1. Partialism

A focus on one body part that does it for you—feet, hair, butts, breasts, you name it. The most famous example is a foot fetish (podophilia), but there are plenty of others, from belly buttons (alvinophilia) to armpits (maschalagnia).

2. Sploshing

Also called WAM (wet and messy), sploshing involves using messy substances like cake, pudding, or whipped cream during play. Some like the texture, others love the sensory overload. Whether you’re fully clothed or completely bare, it’s all about mixing sweet indulgence with sensual chaos.

3. Feederism

This dynamic pairs a “feeder,” who’s aroused by feeding or encouraging a partner to eat, with a “feedee,” who enjoys being fed or feeling full. It’s equal parts control, care, and indulgence—and yes, it can get pretty kinky when combined with gags or restraints.

4. Nylon Fetish

This one’s for the stocking lovers. A nylon fetish can stem from the look, sound, or feel of nylon pantyhose's—pulling them on, peeling them off, or even hearing the faint rip as they stretch. It’s a mix of texture and anticipation that drives this particular thrill.

5. Klismaphilia

Arousal from enemas. Some people find pleasure in the physical sensations—the pressure, the process—while others are drawn to the clinical or taboo aspect of it. It often overlaps with medical or nurse-patient roleplay.

6. Formicophilia

Okay, this one’s… crawling into stranger territory. Formicophilia is arousal from insects crawling on the skin—ants, snails, or other creepy crawlies. Rare? Very. Extreme? Definitely.

If you hate bugs, don’t worry—you’re in the majority. But for a few adventurous souls, this is the definition of nature play.

7. Olfactophilia

Arousal from scents—especially natural ones like sweat, musk, or worn clothing. Think of it as pheromones turned up to eleven.

For some, it’s the intoxicating smell of a partner after the gym; for others, it’s that favorite T-shirt they can’t stop sniffing. (Laundry day hits different when this is your thing.)

8. Dendrophilia

Yes, attraction to trees. Seriously. Some people are turned on by the texture, the smell, or the “earthy” energy.

Hey, if you’ve ever called someone a “tree hugger,” you might’ve been closer to the truth than you thought.

9. Katoptronophilia

Mirror sex lovers, this one’s for you. Katoptronophilia is arousal from reflections—watching yourself, your partner, or both.

It’s part voyeurism, part self-love, and totally hot if you’ve ever caught a glimpse mid-thrust and thought, “Damn, we look good.”

10. Urophilia

Also known as water sports or golden showers, this fetish involves sexual arousal from urination. For some, it’s the taboo or humiliation; for others, it’s about closeness and trust.

Definitely one for advanced communication—and maybe a waterproof sheet.

11. Coprophilia

Similar to urophilia, coprophilia involves arousal from feces. Though rare and highly taboo, it’s another example of how fetishes can develop around bodily functions.

12. Mechanophilia

If your partner’s first love is their car, this might explain a lot. Mechanophilia is arousal from machines—cars, motorcycles, even bicycles.

The sound of a revving engine? The vibration of the seat? Yeah, that’s part of it. Some people just… take “riding” very literally.

13. Autoplushophilia

Related to the furry community, this fetish is about sexual arousal from dressing up as a giant plush or cartoon-like animal character. While being a furry is not inherently sexual, some take it further into sexual expression, sometimes called “yiffing.”

Top Products For Kinky Couples

1. Under The Bed Bondage Restraint System

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Sweeten things up. This kissable, non-staining lube is perfect for licking, tasting, and teasing during any fetish or fantasy session.

Kinks and fetishes aren’t about weirdness—they’re about curiosity, connection, and what makes you feel good. Everyone’s wired differently, and that’s what makes sex so endlessly interesting.

So go ahead—explore, laugh, and learn. The only real rule? Keep it safe, consensual, and fun.

 Below are 5 tips that should help you out:

Read More

Keep learning with other articles and guides written by our sex experts:

• Everything You Need To Know About Bondage/BDSM
• Ultimate Beginner's Guide To Pleasurable Restraint Play
• 21 Top Roleplaying Ideas
  

Sources

The Journal of Sex Research. 2017. The Prevalence of Paraphilic Interests and Behaviors in the General Population: A Provincial Survey. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034?journalCode=hjsr20. [Accessed October 2021]

The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2018. Deviance or Normalcy? The Relationship Among Paraphilic Thoughts and Behaviors, Hypersexuality, and Psychopathology in a Sample of University Students. https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(18)31100-7/fulltext. [Accessed October 2021]

Medical Journal, Armed Forces India. 2019. Sexuality in the 21st century: Leather or rubber? Fetishism explained. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6495465. [Accessed October 2021]

Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2019. The “Furry” Phenomenon: Characterizing Sexual Orientation, Sexual Motivation, and Erotic Target Identity Inversions in Male Furries. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30806867. [Accessed October 2021]

The Journal of Sex Research. 2020. Narratives of the Origins of Kinky Sexual Desire Held by Users of a Kink-Oriented Social Networking Website. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2020.1840495. [Accessed October 2021]

International Journal of Impotence Research. 2007. Relative Prevalence of Different Fetishes. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901547. [Accessed October 2021]

The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2013. Psychological Characteristics of BDSM Practitioners. https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(15)30447-1/fulltext. [Accessed October 2021]

What Other Fetishes Turn You On? Leave A Comment Below!