Choosing a Dildo Hardness: What Shore Hardness Means and Which is Right for You
Shore hardness is not a technical specification for material scientists. It's a decision about the experience.
Shore 10A yields when you press it – the toy adapts to your anatomy. Shore 30A maintains its shape – you feel the resistance. These are two different experiences, not two different qualities. Which is better depends on what you're looking for.
What Shore Hardness Really Means
Shore hardness measures how much a material resists indentation by a penetrating body. For silicone, the Shore-A scale is used – from 0A (liquid-soft) to 100A (hard rubber-like).
For platinum silicone toys, the relevant range is 5A to 40A. Anything above that would be too hard for use, anything below too unstable.
Shore-A Scale for Platinum Silicone Toys
| Shore-A | Description | Everyday Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 5–15A | Very Soft | Soft Gelatin |
| 15–25A | Soft (Standard) | Gummy Bear |
| 25–35A | Medium | Eraser |
| 35–45A | Firm | Hard Rubber |
For comparison: a car tire is around 60A – not relevant for toys, but helps to contextualize the scale.
Soft vs. Firm: What You Really Feel
Soft Toy (Shore 5–20A)
A soft toy yields under pressure. This means it adapts to your anatomy instead of pressing against it. The resistance during insertion is lower. Textures – bumps, ridges, veins – are noticeable but dampened. The toy feels more natural because it reacts to pressure like real tissue.
Who benefits: Beginners, users with sensitive anatomy, anal use, large diameters (BBC category), prolonged use.
Firm Toy (Shore 25–35A)
A firm toy maintains its shape under pressure. This means you feel the resistance of the material – the toy pushes back. Textures are felt more intensely because the material doesn't dampen them. The suction cup holds more stably because the toy is less flexible. The experience is more intense, but less yielding.
Who benefits: Experienced users, texture-focused (fantasy, bumps, ridges), suction cup use, users who seek resistance as a primary sensation.
Quick Overview: Which Hardness for Which Scenario
| Scenario | Recommended Shore Hardness |
|---|---|
| First use / Beginners | Shore 15–20A |
| Anal use | Shore 10–18A |
| Texture focus (Fantasy, Bumps) | Shore 25–30A |
| Suction cup use | Shore 20–30A |
| BBC / Large diameters | Shore 15–22A |
| Fantasy / Beast Designs | Shore 15–25A |
| Experienced users, resistance focus | Shore 28–35A |
SilikonLust: Why We Don't Use a Uniform Hardness
Many manufacturers produce all toys in a single Shore hardness – because it's simpler. SilikonLust does not do that.
Platinum silicone is hand-poured at SilikonLust – this means we can individually adjust the Shore hardness for each model. A fantasy dildo with complex texture gets a different hardness than a realistic BBC dildo with a large diameter. A beginner toy gets a different hardness than a toy for experienced users.
That's why we specify the Shore hardness for each model: so you don't guess, but decide.
Realistic, Fantasy, BBC – each model with full specifications. → To the Dildo Collection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shore hardness?
Shore hardness measures a material's resistance to indentation. For silicone toys, the Shore-A scale is used. Lower value = softer, yields. Higher value = firmer, holds shape. For platinum silicone toys, the relevant range is 5A to 40A.
Soft or firm for beginners?
Soft – Shore 15–20A. A soft toy yields and adapts to anatomy. This reduces resistance during insertion and shortens the calibration phase. Firm toys are for experienced users who seek resistance as a primary sensation.
Does hardness change over time?
With platinum silicone: no. This is one of its advantages over TPE. Platinum silicone permanently retains its Shore hardness – the toy you buy today will feel the same in two years as it did on day one. TPE softens over time and loses its original consistency.
Is softer always better?
No. Soft is better for beginners, anal use, and large diameters. Firm is better for texture focus, suction cup stability, and users who seek resistance as a primary sensation. There is no objectively better hardness – only the right one for your scenario.
How do I find the Shore hardness of my toy?
At SilikonLust: each model has a Shore hardness specification in the product description. With other manufacturers: often not specified. If no specification is given, it's a sign that the manufacturer does not have precise control over the material – or does not want to communicate it.
