The afternoon light, filtering through the plastic sheeting of my workshop, caught the iridescent sheen on the jaws of my latest acquisition: Gordon the Shark. My assistant, bless his cotton-stuffed heart, nearly jumped a foot when I brought him in. “Another one, Professor?” he squeaked, gesturing at the growing mountain of plush. He knew the drill.

The truth is, studying the cephalopod clade, as you might expect, gets lonely. Sometimes a guy just needs something…cuddly. And in the world of soft toys, Squishmallows have carved out a fascinating niche. The claim? Supremely squishable, marshmallow-esque comfort. My initial skepticism centered, naturally, on the stuffing composition. Is it just polyester fiberfill, the industry standard, or something different?

First impressions, texture-wise: undeniably, they’ve nailed it. That signature, slow-rebound compression? A true tactile delight. The fabric, a plushy “velboa” (a term familiar to anyone who’s worked with high-end plushies), contributes heavily. Gordon, in his 16-inch iteration, is a substantial presence. The size alone makes him a statement piece.

Now, the serious stuff. Let’s talk construction. The stitching is remarkably clean, and the seams, crucial for durability in a toy destined for enthusiastic hugs, appear reinforced. This is important, because the cheaper knockoffs tend to burst at the seams quicker than you can say “hydrodynamic”. The lack of sharp edges is another critical point. No rigid inserts, no hard plastic eyes. Safety, especially for younger enthusiasts, is clearly prioritized.

A minor quibble, and it’s almost too small to mention: the color palette is slightly more muted than I expected, a shade or two away from truly vibrant. But hey, it’s a shark, not a disco ball. (And honestly, a child would probably love it regardless). It is, after all, a toy designed for emotional bonding, and for those who are interested, there are many other sizes available. The smaller ones would make amazing travel companions.

Compared to your standard department store plush, Gordon here offers a significantly better experience. The level of ‘squish’ puts it above the competition. You’re getting a product that’s specifically designed to be squeezed.

So, who should buy this… well, anyone who needs a little extra comfort. Someone who understands the value of a hug, a stress reliever, or even a cuddly companion on a long flight. Don’t overthink it. It’s pure, unadulterated, delightfully squishy escapism. For those in need of a good snuggle buddy, consider this the start of a new obsession.