When I think about the travel essentials that always make it into my backpack, sunglasses are right at the top of the list.

Alongside my camera, a reusable water bottle, and an embarrassingly overstuffed toiletries bag, there’s one thing that never gets left behind: a good pair of sunglasses.

Whether I’m wandering through a new city, driving along the coast, relaxing on the beach, or spending hours exploring on foot, I wear sunglasses almost

every day. Over the years, I’ve owned everything from expensive designer pairs to cheap ones that barely lasted a season. The problem was always the same—some were too heavy, some constantly slipped down my nose, and others felt too precious to throw into a backpack.

That’s why discovering goodr was such a pleasant surprise.

They’ve somehow managed to combine comfort, performance, and personality into sunglasses that don’t feel like you have to save for a special occasion. They’re designed to be worn, enjoyed, and taken everywhere—and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.

The Hike That Started Everything

Last summer, I drove to Bear Mountain, just north of New York City. The plan wasn’t particularly ambitious—an early morning hike to Perkins Memorial Tower, a few photos overlooking the Hudson River, and then back home before the afternoon traffic.

The only new thing in my backpack was a pair of A Unicorn’s Calamity（https://goodr.com/products/a-unicorns-calamity?srsltid=AfmBOorkLJiYUzosExEexj4iYBnSUS6p_T2D1KxUp48BLFsfZtOGpt_-） sunglasses.

I’ll admit it—I didn’t spend hours researching sunglasses before buying them. I simply liked the colour. Sometimes that’s reason enough.

The morning started cool, but the climb quickly warmed up. About halfway along the trail, I realised something unusual.

I hadn’t adjusted my sunglasses once.

Normally, hiking means constantly pushing sunglasses back up your nose whenever you start sweating. Some bounce every time you step over a rock. Others end up spending more time balanced on your hat than actually protecting your eyes.

These simply stayed where they were supposed to.

That might sound like a small thing, but when you’re hiking, it’s one less distraction. Instead of thinking about your sunglasses, you’re thinking about the trail ahead, the sound of birds in the trees, and the view slowly opening up around you.

By the time I reached Perkins Memorial Tower, the morning haze had lifted, revealing sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. I pushed my sunglasses onto my head while taking photos.

No hair caught in the hinges.

No uncomfortable tug.

Just another little detail that I didn’t appreciate until it wasn’t a problem anymore.

That’s when I finally understood what people meant when they talked about goodr’s No Slip, No Bounce, and No Hair Snag design.

They aren’t features you constantly notice.

They’re features you stop thinking about.

And for travel gear, I think that’s one of the biggest compliments you can give.

One thing surprised me even more.

I wasn’t worried about wearing them.

I’ve owned sunglasses that cost several times more than these, and every trip felt like a balancing act between enjoying the destination and trying not to lose an expensive accessory. I was always checking whether they were safely back in their case or wondering if I’d accidentally left them behind in a café.

With A Unicorn’s Calamity, I didn’t think twice.

I tossed them into my backpack.

I wore them all day.

I packed them again for the next trip.

Travel gear should make travelling easier—not make you anxious about damaging it.

That’s probably why these sunglasses have ended up accompanying me far more often than some of the expensive pairs I’ve owned over the years.

Why I Keep Packing Them

That first trip to Bear Mountain was only the beginning.

Since then, A Unicorn’s Calamity has remained my go-to pair for hiking and outdoor adventures—it’s the one I instinctively reach for whenever I know I’ll be on my feet all day.

As my travels grew, so did my goodr collection.

For long coastal drives, I started packing Bosley’s Basset Hound Dreams(https://goodr.com/products/bosleys-basset-hound-dreams?_pos=1&_sid=b0073ee40&_ss=r). Something about its classic look just feels right with the windows down and the ocean stretching alongside Highway 1.

When I’m exploring cities, whether it’s wandering through Boston’s Beacon Hill or spending an afternoon getting pleasantly lost in a new neighbourhood, I usually grab Amelia Earhart Ghosted Me(https://goodr.com/products/amelia-earhart-ghosted-me?_pos=1&_sid=67d5c1aaf&_ss=r). It’s simple, comfortable, and seems to go with everything.

For beach holidays and sunny weekends, Nine Dollar Pour Over(https://goodr.com/products/nine-dollar-pour-over?_pos=1&_sid=a5108d89a&_ss=r) has become my favourite. It somehow matches the relaxed atmosphere of places where the only real plan is to slow down.

And when a trip involves long hikes or full days outdoors, Operation: Blackout(https://goodr.com/products/operation-blackout?_pos=1&_sid=5f6fd9625&_ss=r) always finds its way into my backpack as a reliable backup.

I didn’t set out to build a collection.

It just happened because every trip gradually found its own favourite pair.

Final Thoughts

I’ve learned that the best travel gear isn’t always the most expensive—it’s the gear you never have to think about once you start using it.

For me, that’s exactly what goodr(https://goodr.com/) has become.

They’re comfortable enough for full days of exploring, practical enough for road trips and outdoor adventures, and affordable enough that I don’t worry about packing them for every trip. In fact, they’re one of the few travel accessories that make me want to own more than one style.

If you’re looking for sunglasses that combine performance, comfort, and a bit of personality without stretching your travel budget, goodr is well worth adding to your packing list before your next adventure.