Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some instances, the intravascular devices are guide wires that include a distal sensing element mounted partially within a housing and embedded and/or surrounded by a flexible adhesive. For example, in some implementations a sensing guide wire includes a flexible elongate member a housing coupled to the flexible elongate member a flexible element extending distally from the housing and a sensing element coupled to the flexible elongate member such that a proximal portion of the sensing element is positioned within the housing and a distal portion of the sensing element is positioned within the flexible element. A flexible adhesive can embed or surround the distal portion of the sensing element positioned within the flexible element. Methods of making, manufacturing, and/or assembling such intravascular devices and associated systems are also provided.