Most Attractive Hobby a Man Can Have According to Women

When it comes to attraction, looks and personality usually get all the attention. But according to a recent survey by Date Psychology (shared via the Daily Mail), there’s one unexpected hobby that makes men almost irresistible to women—and no, it’s not playing guitar or being a gym rat.

An incredible 98.2% of women said they found men with this particular interest especially attractive.

So, what’s the secret hobby?

Let’s dive in.

It’s Not Just About Muscles and Man Caves

From sports and hiking to DIY projects and gardening, men all over the world enjoy a wide variety of hobbies. But while these popular pastimes have their appeal, the survey revealed a surprising standout when it comes to catching a woman’s eye.

The most attractive male hobby? Reading.

That’s right—nearly every woman surveyed said that men who read are extremely attractive. There’s something about a guy who chooses a book over endless scrolling that really resonates.

Why Reading Wins

What makes reading so desirable? It could be the intellectual depth, the curiosity, or simply the quiet confidence that comes with getting lost in a good story. Whatever it is, it’s working—big time.

Other top-rated hobbies included:

• Painting
• Writing
• Photography
• Astronomy
• Hiking
• Blacksmithing
• Archery

Noticing a theme? Most of these activities are either creative, intellectually stimulating, or encourage some form of personal growth. And that’s what really seems to make the difference.

The Not-So-Attractive Hobbies

On the flip side, the survey also highlighted the least appealing male hobbies. Some of the low scorers?

• Drinking (a top 15 turn-off)
• Collecting comic books
• Cosplay
• Debating

Drinking, in particular, raised red flags—especially considering that 55% of men in the UK reportedly drink at least once a week. U.S. dating coach Courtney Ryan addressed this on her YouTube channel:

“I think it’s a major turn-off when someone needs alcohol to have fun or when drinking becomes their whole personality.”

Fair point.

What Men Had to Say

Interestingly, plenty of men seemed to agree with the results. One Reddit user chimed in:

“The top hobbies are all creative or involve learning and being engaged. The bottom ones are more about escapism.”

Another added:

“Sure, everyone enjoys a mix. But someone who spends time creating, exploring, or learning tends to be more attractive than someone who doesn’t.”

But not everyone is buying into the list. Some pushed back, saying attraction isn’t something you can quantify like that. One commenter put it bluntly:

“Do what you love. If you’re only picking up a hobby to impress others, you probably won’t stick with it. Genuine interest is more attractive than pretending.”

The Takeaway?

While it’s interesting (and kind of charming) that reading tops the list of attractive male hobbies, the real lesson here might be even simpler:

Pursue what genuinely excites you. Passion, curiosity, and personal growth are universally appealing—whether you’re holding a book, a camera, or a hammer.

So if you’re looking to up your dating game, maybe it’s time to crack open a novel.