An excellent pair of running sunglasses is like an excellent running partner: a stalwart companion that’s able to keep things light and stay put when the going gets tough. But sunnies, like running buddies, aren’t created equal. Shades that slip, pinch, or bounce in action don’t cut it for someone who loves to run as much as I do.
This is why I remained mostly agnostic about running eyewear over my 20-plus years as a runner. I’d never been able to find a pair that delivered comfort, functionality, affordability, and style in somewhat equal measure. Then, three years ago, I bought my first pair of Goodr OG sunglasses—and I haven’t worn anything else since.
Top pick
Timeless and effortlessly cool, these medium-size Wayfarer-inspired shades come in over 50 colors and lens options. The plastic frames are ultra-flexible, and they have a grip coating, which gives them a pleasantly rubbery feel and helps them stay put.
Honestly, I was skeptical at first, as I am of any brand that bombards me with ads on podcasts and social media. But as I spied more runners in Goodr sunglasses—and realized just how naked my unshaded eyes felt on bright-day runs—I gave the OGs a go.
These glasses won me over. I wear them on my regular training runs along the Hudson River, undeterred by the sunlight glinting off the water, and I have worn them in a variety of races, from 4-mile jaunts to half-marathons. (I always travel with them, too.) No matter the season, these shades are one of my favorite on-the-run accessories.
A pick in our guide to cheap sunglasses, the Goodr OG sunnies cost $25—a just-right price in a world where endurance-sport sunglasses can cost a few hundred bucks. They shield my eyes with the recommended UV400 protection, and the lenses are polarized, cutting down on glare and eyestrain. They are lightweight. They come in a pouch festooned with the company’s signature flamingo (personality!).
But the true beauty of these shades is that once I pop them on, I don’t give them a second thought. Supremely comfy, they fit my medium-size mug snugly without squeezing, and they refuse to budge even on my longest runs. Their matte, grippy texture keeps them from migrating down the bridge of my nose no matter how sweaty things get.
The OG’s shape—reminiscent of the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer—fits neatly under the brim of my running cap. (If you have a wider face, Goodr also makes the BFG design, which we haven’t tested and is basically identical to the OG just with wider frames, longer temples, and bigger lenses.) Whereas other sport sunglasses I’ve owned have looked too automaton-insect to wear regularly, the OG’s relaxed style works for casual everyday outings even when I’m not logging miles. One pair sits permanently at the ready on a cabinet by my front door.
The OG’s flexible, tough frames and sturdy lenses have weathered being unceremoniously stuffed into pockets and backpacks, tossed onto counters, test-driven by my kids, dropped onto pavement, and shoved up onto my head mid-miles. Although they have eventually shown some smudges and wear, the lenses haven’t scratched, and the frames sail through life’s onslaughts resiliently. My first pair of these glasses lasted nearly three years, showing few signs of petering out, until I broke them accidentally.
These babies are also a hoot, available in a riot of more than 50 colors and designs that has coaxed my neutrals-loving self into more flamboyant eyewear territory. Sure, Goodr’s naming approach is a little inane: I own Whiskey Shots with Satan (matte-black frames, gold-tinted mirrored lenses) and Swedish Meatball Hangover (bright-yellow frames, sky-blue tinted mirrored lenses). But you know what? I can roll with the wackiness. These sunglasses help me fully enjoy my favorite sport without contributing a drip of distraction.
And life is too short to say no to yellow.
All in all, the OG sunglasses are a terrific value. Goodr recently unveiled a few styles of “performance” shades that might appeal to those who prefer a sportier shape. But I have no plans to retire the OG. We have many more miles to go.
This article was edited by Alexander Aciman and Hannah Rimm.
