Shore Hardness

What is Shore Hardness?

The standardized measurement scale used to quantify silicone firmness, with the 00-scale covering ultra-soft gels and the A-scale covering firm rubbers.

What Are the Two Shore Scales?

Shore hardness is an internationally recognized durometer measurement system that quantifies how resistant a material is to surface indentation. In the fantasy toy community, two Shore scales matter. The 00-scale measures ultra-soft to medium materials — the marshmallow-soft gels and squishy silicones that dominate the extra soft and soft firmness categories. The A-scale picks up where 00 leaves off, covering medium-firm to rigid rubbers. A toy rated Shore 00-20 feels like a stress ball; a toy rated Shore A30 feels like a car tire. Between those extremes lies the entire spectrum of firmness options available to collectors.

How Do Shore Values Map to Firmness?

Most fantasy toy makers translate raw Shore numbers into consumer-friendly firmness tiers. Extra soft typically falls around Shore 00-20 to 00-30 — silicone so yielding it deforms under its own weight. Soft sits at approximately 00-30 to 00-40. Medium occupies the 00-40 to 00-50 range, offering a balance between give and structure. Firm crosses into the A-scale, usually Shore A5 to A15, where the silicone holds its shape under pressure but still flexes. Extra firm pushes to A20 and beyond — nearly rigid, with extremely crisp texture definition but minimal compression.

Why Does Shore Hardness Matter When Buying?

Firmness changes everything about how a toy performs. A knot at Shore 00-20 compresses to ease entry, while the same knot at Shore A10 demands patience and generous lubricant. Scaled textures that feel like a gentle ripple in soft silicone become pronounced ridges in firm. Insertable length effectively changes too — a soft toy bends and conforms to the body, while a firm toy holds its shape and presses against specific internal points. Understanding Shore hardness empowers you to order exactly the experience you want.

How Can You Test Firmness Before Buying?

Because Shore numbers are abstract until you physically feel them, many makers offer firmness samples — small silicone discs in each available hardness level. Holding a 00-20 sample next to an A10 sample makes the difference immediately obvious. For split firmness configurations, samples help you decide which zone gets which hardness. At LustMonster, product listings include firmness details so you can make an informed choice before adding to cart. If you are unsure, starting with medium is the safest first step — it offers enough give for comfort while maintaining enough structure for satisfying texture feedback.