Shore Hardness: What Soft Silicone Actually Measures
"Soft silicone" is one of the most repeated and least defined phrases in this category. Softness is not a feeling you have to guess at — it is a measured value called Shore hardness, and two toys both described as "soft" can sit far apart on the scale. Knowing the number, or at least what it predicts, helps you pick a toy that feels right instead of one you have to return, because the word "soft" on a box is a preference, not a measurement you can trust.
This guide explains what Shore hardness measures, how the common ranges feel in use, and how to choose a firmness for your situation. The payoff is simple: match the firmness to the pressure you want, and the first toy is far more likely to be the right one.
The Short Answer
Shore hardness (usually the Shore 00 scale for soft silicone) measures how much the surface gives under pressure. Lower numbers are softer and spread pressure more gently; higher numbers are firmer and deliver more point pressure. For a first or sensitive toy, look for the softer end; for G-spot or targeted pressure, a firmer body like GODLIKE at $89 holds shape better. A dual-stimulation toy such as SANDRA at $109 balances the two, which is why it works for people who are not sure what they want yet.
What the Scale Measures
Shore hardness is a durometer reading: a pointed weight presses the silicone, and the depth it sinks gives the number. In this category the Shore 00 scale is used because the Shore A scale (for rubber) is too coarse for soft toy silicone, and a number on the wrong scale would mislead more than help.
- Shore 00-10 to 00-20. Very soft, almost squishy, gentle pressure spread; the comfort end of the range.
- Shore 00-20 to 00-30. Soft but with some body, the common range for comfort toys that still hold a shape.
- Shore 00-30 to 00-50. Firmer, holds a defined shape, more direct pressure; the targeting end of the range.
Why Firmness Changes the Experience
The same motor at the same setting feels different in soft versus firm silicone, because firmness changes how force reaches tissue, not just how the surface looks. This is the part listings never explain, and it is the part that decides whether you like the toy.
- Softer silicone. Cushions vibration, spreads it over a wider area, comfortable for sensitive use and longer sessions where buzz would tire you.
- Firmer silicone. Focuses vibration and pressure to a point, better for targeted G-spot or perineal contact where you want to feel a defined edge, not a cloud.
Choosing Firmness for Your Goal
Match the number to what you are trying to feel, not to the word "soft" on the box, because the box is selling a feeling while the number is describing a fact. The two do not always agree.
- New to toys or sensitive skin. Softer end (00-10 to 00-20) reduces the chance a toy feels like too much on first use.
- G-spot or targeted pressure. Firmer (00-30 to 00-50) keeps the head where you put it and delivers point pressure that a soft toy would diffuse.
- Dual stimulation. A middle firmness that does both, as in SANDRA at $109, which is why it suits uncertain first buyers.
Firmness and Lubricant
Firmness also changes how much lubricant you want, because a firmer toy concentrates pressure and a softer toy spreads it. The difference is small but real, and it affects comfort more than people expect on a first use.
- Softer toys. More surface contact, so a thin layer of water-based lubricant is usually enough; add more if there is any drag.
- Firmer toys. Point pressure means you want enough lubricant to avoid friction at the contact spot, especially for internal use.
- Either way. Use Velvet Touch at $21, water-based and fragrance-free, which suits every silicone firmness without degrading the surface.
When the Listing Does Not State It
Many listings say "soft silicone" and stop. That is incomplete. A maker who measured firmness usually states it, and its absence often means the softness was chosen for cost or feel rather than consistency. GODLIKE at $89 is built with a firm enough body to target the G-spot while keeping a silicone contact surface — the kind of design choice firmness explains, and the kind a vague "soft" claim hides.
If a listing hides the number, weigh the rest of the specs (material grade, motor, warranty) and treat "soft" as a preference claim, not a measured one, because you cannot return a toy for feeling firmer than the photo implied.
The Practical Takeaway
Do not shop for "soft." Shop for a firmness that matches the pressure you want. Softer for comfort and sensitivity, firmer for targeting and control. When two toys look alike, the one that states its Shore value is the one engineered on purpose, and the one that does not is asking you to guess.
Where to Start
Match firmness to your goal: softer for comfort, firmer for targeting. GODLIKE holds a defined G-spot shape in body-safe silicone, and SANDRA balances both in a quiet dual-stimulation build.
- GODLIKE — $89 — firmer body, targeted G-spot contact
- SANDRA — $109 — balanced firmness, dual motor
- Velvet Touch Lubricant — $21 — water-based, silicone-safe
Related: soft vs. firm silicone and sex toy materials compared. Browse the Customer Favorites collection. Prices are list prices in USD.
Sources
- Planned Parenthood — sex toy materials, cleaning and safe use
- American Sexual Health Association — general intimate wellness education
- NIH — consumer health information on sexual wellness products
Written by the GETAUVE Editorial Team. This article is general education and not medical advice. See a clinician for persistent symptoms. Prices are list prices in USD and may change.