Silicone can be formulated for a specific softness represented by its target Shore A durometer rating—a standardized system for measuring the softness of rubbery materials. The higher the rating number, the harder the material.

The medical-grade silicone in OmniMask is formulated to a very soft Shore 30A rating. Through extensive testing, we found this value maximizes wearer comfort while preserving structural stability.

In contrast, due to their manufacture from more rigid oil-based thermoplastics, all major-brand masks that we tested reported a semi-rigid Shore 50A rating—akin to a pencil's pink eraser. These masks tend to be stiffer and less conforming to the specific contours of a user's face, which negatively impacts both seal and comfort.

For comparison purposes, the following chart describes some common items and their Shore A ratings.