There’s an eyewear brand that’s been on everyone’s lips lately: Goodr sunglasses. Their shades aren’t fancy or expensive. They’re just colorful, sporty styles that people of all ages seem to love.
In the last decade, Goodr has changed the game with eye-catching products and an attention-grabbing marketing persona. Let’s get to the bottom of this intriguing company!
What Are Goodr Sunglasses?
Goodr was founded in 2015 as one of those “cool” startups. They thought the running glasses on the market were ugly and overpriced, so they set out to fill the gap.
With funky and stylish frames and lenses made to perform well under unpredictable conditions, these sunglasses began to make their mark.
The best part? The price point: $25 a pop!
Fun, Fresh Styles
While browsing the Goodr website, I quickly realized they sell a variety of popular shapes, including cat-eye and shield styles. There is also a wide range of colors and patterns, from pastel pink and purple stripes to vivid collegiate themes.
One of the smartest things Goodr has done is carve out its own specific niche. Their products appeal to a specific audience, which is a major bonus for the brand. But if these shades weren’t so cheap, would they be making waves? I doubt it.
Sunglasses from top designer brands like Costa del Mar and Oakley might be more expensive, but there’s a clear reason they’ve been around as long as they have. Quality backs up those names.
Still, Goodr knows exactly who they are. More importantly, they know who their consumers are. They’re not trying to compete with fancy Gucci shades or timeless Ray-Ban styles.
Are Goodr sunglasses the most stylish shades ever?
No.
In my opinion, there are cuter sunnies out there. But if you just want to go out for a run and not worry about your expensive Oakleys hitting the pavement, these glasses are pretty cool.
Goodr’s Catchy Marketing
Goodr’s catchy marketing is A-class. They have figured out what works for them and they’ve run with it. (Pun intended!) But what makes it so memorable?
Relatable Gen-Z and Millennial Messaging
Sure, it’s not Gigi Hadid or Miley Cyrus on over-styled billboards. In fact, they’re nowhere to be found on the Goodr site. You won’t find Leonardo DiCaprio getting off a yacht in his shades, James Bond-style, either.
Instead of the hottest celebs and models splashed across million-dollar ads, they use real people. Just regular folks of different ages and backgrounds who have Goodr sunglasses in common. Yet their message jumps out at you straight away!
Then there are the catchy names and slogans. They need to give their copywriter a raise! With slogans like “NO SLIP. NO BOUNCE. ALL POLARIZED. ALL FUN,” they are already winning, and haven’t even gotten to the names of the sunglasses yet.
Two of my favorite taglines are “Amelia Earhart Ghosted Me” and “A Unicorn’s Calamity.” Do they make sense? Who knows? But they definitely get people talking.
And the branding is bright, bold, and really out there. It reinforces the spirit of the brand. If they continue with this cool, viral branding, I predict they’ll become a household name with a cult following within a few years.
Sunglasses With a Social Mission
Sometimes, I struggle to tell when a brand has a social mission because they care or because it makes them look good. While I can’t comment on Goodr’s intentions, they do have some impressive campaigns.
Take their current collaboration with the American Red Cross, for example. For a limited time, they’re offering a free pair of limited-edition Goodr red shades to people who donate blood.
Goodr seems to be doing its due diligence for the environment, too, with 100% carbon-neutral products. Some of their sunglasses are even made with recycled plastics, which adds to the appeal.
That’s a win in my books. While brands drive fast fashion, they should do something to offset their production. Whether or not my Goodr sunglasses are made to last remains to be seen, but if they are, that’s also a plus, as it’s one less pair of cheap sunglasses in a landfill.
Past PR Problems
Unfortunately, a few years ago, the brand hit a temporary roadblock due to some less-than-stellar PR. They called one product “Pineapple Painkillers” and featured a photo of a pair of glasses next to a pile of pills and an empty bottle.
To make matters worse, they then mentioned mixing alcohol and Vicodin and taking hallucinogens in some social media posts. Needless to say, some customers and followers were not impressed. Many felt they were glorifying drug use.
Eventually, Goodr issued an apology and tried to bounce back, but did cancel culture get the better of them?
It seems not. Do they still have social and environmental missions? Yes. That could be one reason they were forgiven. Or maybe it‘s because, as the famous line goes, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
My Goodr Sunglasses Experience
I run. Sometimes. Am I an expert on running? Maybe not, but I am an eyewear expert.
I bought a pair of Goodr sunglasses. I wanted to test them out and see if they lived up to the hype.
The verdict: they did pretty well on my run, which I confess was only around my local park, but they held up. The no-slip claim is accurate, as they have grip-coated frames. They’re also lightweight and polarized, which is great on sunny days.
Do they feel cheap compared to my other sunglasses? Yes. But did they do what they were supposed to? Also yes.
Over time, Goodr has expanded from running glasses to other sporty styles. But I can’t confirm how effective those other options are since I don’t play golf or pickleball. (I’m still trying to figure out what that is!)
TL;DR Summary
Goodr knows what they are doing. Their sunglasses and marketing tell a story. It might not be one that everyone understands, but it’s entertaining nonetheless! To sum up the brand:
- Goodr is an American company that makes sporty sunglasses for people who enjoy a run or just some fun in the sun.
- Each pair sells for under $40 on average. As with most cheap things, the quality is up for debate.
- They’re all about quirky branding and engaging content, with flamingos and party references aplenty!
- They care about sustainability and social responsibility and walk the talk, even working with the American Red Cross and selling recycled styles to be more environmentally friendly.
So there you have it. Will you swipe right on Goodr?
