I like the light brown leather thimbles for handquilting. I pick up a few everytime I see them. They have a little plastic disk inside that keeps the needle from going through my finger. I probably have half a dozen of them currently in use all over the house. I have even cut one down to use on the thumb of my left hand as I quilt with both hands when using a frame. It's called a Skin Thimble.
I wear them out but they are the most comfortable for me. I could never use a hard one. I find I can't even sew on a button now without wearing one.