1. Silicone Material Introduction

What Shore A Hardness Actually Measures

A durometer presses a blunt steel point into a material and records how far it sinks. The result is reported as a Shore A number between 0 and 100. For context, a rubber band sits near 25 to 30 Shore A, a shoe sole near 40 to 50, and a tire tread near 60 to 70.

Doll bodies are far softer. A soft head sculpt may read 5 to 10 Shore A, a torso 12 to 18, and a firmer insert 20 to 25. Because the test is taken at one point on one sample, a single figure describes a batch rather than an entire body.

Typical Ranges for Silicone and TPE

Platinum-cure silicone is usually specified between 8 and 22 Shore A, with skin formulas at the softer end. TPE commonly falls between 5 and 15 Shore A and behaves more elastically, stretching further before it tears. Our comparison of silicone vs tpe sex doll builds covers how those two families age differently.

Some makers quote gel inserts on the Shore 00 scale, where numbers mean something far softer. Shore 00 and Shore A are not interchangeable, so compare only figures on the same scale.

Silicone vs TPE: Firmness, Feel and Upkeep

The table below summarizes how the two materials behave at comparable softness. Read it as a guide, not a rule: a well-made TPE figure can outlast a poorly made silicone one.

Why Two Dolls at the Same Shore Number Can Feel Different

The number describes the bulk material, not the finished body. Wall thickness, core density, and how much compound sits over the skeleton all change what your hand reports. A 15 Shore A limb with a thin wall feels softer than the same compound molded thick.

Surface finish matters too: powdered skin feels drier and firmer than fresh, tacky skin. Judge firmness on a clean, powdered surface, not straight out of the box.

2. Customization Options

Firmness is one of the few specs a buyer can influence at the factory, within the limits of the compound and the mold. Texture is a separate question, covered in our guide to what does a sex doll feel like.

Firmness Grades Worth Asking For

Most workshops offer two or three grades rather than an open dial: soft, standard, and firm. Soft suits display and light handling. Standard covers most use. Firm holds poses and resists compression at the hips and shoulders. Ask for the grade in Shore A with a tolerance, for example 12 ± 3, and ask which areas it applies to.

Gel-Filled vs Solid Construction

A gel-filled breast or seat uses a soft inner pocket under a thin skin, which reads much softer than its shell number suggests. Solid construction uses the same compound throughout and feels denser and more consistent. Gel adds realism and a little weight; solid adds durability and predictable handling. A gel pocket is also harder to repair if the skin above it fails.

Dual-Density and Local Softness

Some builds combine a soft outer layer with a firmer core, so the surface gives under a thumb while the body still carries its own weight. Others keep the torso firm and soften only the head, hands, or seat. Local options usually cost less than a full-body change and often make the larger difference.

What Cannot Be Changed After Ordering

Skeleton type, joint count, and core density are fixed at the mold and casting stage. Outer skin softness is the realistic variable; everything else is a spec to confirm before you pay.

3. Buying Guide

Compare format, weight, and price before firmness. A figure too heavy to move will not get used, whatever its Shore rating says.

Reading a Spec Sheet

A useful listing gives material, height, net weight, bust and hip measurements, joint count, and firmness with a scale. If firmness is missing, treat "soft" and "realistic" as marketing words rather than data. Weight quoted as "approximately" with no figure is a warning sign; the sex doll weight guide explains why shipping weight and net weight differ. Joint layouts are covered in our notes on sex doll skeleton types.

Matching Firmness to How You Will Use It

Display-first buyers usually prefer soft to standard, because a softer silhouette reads more natural under clothing. Buyers who pose often prefer standard to firm, since soft material creases where hips and shoulders bend. For long upright storage, lean firm: soft compound compresses where the stand contacts it.

How to Ask for Firmness in Writing

Send three questions in one message. What Shore A is the skin, on which scale, and with what tolerance? Which areas differ from that number? Can the grade be written into the order notes? A retailer who cannot answer the first question does not hold the spec, and a written answer outlasts a chat reply.

4. Maintenance & Care

Keeping Soft Material Soft

Surface oils and plasticizer migrate over time, which reads as firmer, drier skin. Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water, dry completely, and renew the surface with a light dusting of renewing powder. Avoid alcohol, acetone, and household cleaners; they strip the surface faster than ordinary use does.

Powder, Storage and Firmness Drift

Store flat or in a supported standing position, away from direct sun and heat above about 30°C (86°F). Heat softens material temporarily and can set a permanent lean. Cold makes it stiff and easier to crack. Expect slight firming over the first year, then a plateau if care is consistent; our guide to how long do sex dolls last sets out the wider timeline.

When a Change in Firmness Signals a Problem

A localized hard spot, a soft pocket that stays sunken, or a sticky patch that powder no longer fixes usually points to internal separation rather than normal aging. Stop using that area and photograph it with the date visible. Surface care will not fix a core fault, and early photos support any warranty claim.

5. Shipping & Privacy Policy

Dispatch and Transit

In-stock figures normally leave the warehouse within 3 to 5 business days. Made-to-order builds take longer because the casting and finishing queue is longer. Transit runs 7 to 20 business days depending on destination and service level. We do not promise fixed delivery dates, since carrier scans and customs review sit outside our control.

Packaging and Billing

Orders ship in a plain, double-walled carton with no product names, brand marks, or images on the outside. The card statement shows a neutral company name. Tracking is emailed when the label is created.

Import Rules and Duties

Import rules vary by country and change without notice. Duty and tax, where charged, are the buyer's responsibility, and we cannot predict or guarantee how a given customs office will handle a shipment. Please review your local regulations before ordering.

6. Trust & Guarantee

What We Confirm Before Dispatch

Every order is checked against its spec sheet for height, net weight, joint count, and stated firmness grade. Where a workshop allows it, we send a photo of the finished figure before it is packed. If a spec cannot be confirmed, we say so before the figure ships.

Warranty and Defects

Ask for the current warranty terms in writing with your order, and read what is excluded. Normal softening, powder residue, and light marks from clothing are not defects. A seam separation, a joint that locks, or a core that collapses is. Report those with photos as soon as you notice them.

What We Will Not Claim

We do not publish awards we have not won, certifications we do not hold, or partnerships we do not have. Where a maker's number is unverified, we mark it as unverified rather than repeating it as fact. Ask us for documentation on any claim here and we will produce it or correct the page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Firmness is a specification, not a mood. Ask for the Shore A number, the scale, and the tolerance, then ask which areas deviate and whether the grade can be written into the order notes. Weigh that against height, weight, and joint count: a figure you cannot move comfortably will not be used.

Soft is not better than firm, and firm is not more premium. The right grade matches how the figure will actually be handled and stored.