The softer texture has pellets that are indeed a little smaller and softer than the pellets in the original version. This litter is flushable and offers decent odor control, and it's absorbent and non-clumping. Also, it's made of recycled paper. All win for me. My cat had little difficulty getting used to the different texture, and she doesn't track it around the house like she does grainier litters. She is a determined digger, so she still manages to kick some pellets out of the box, but cleanup is easy. The odor control isn't quite up to par with Feline Pine, but it's good enough, and with the flushability factor, makes it my favorite litter for the box located in the bathroom.