Name: Occles
What they are: lightweight eye protectors that resemble goggles without a nose bridge. Occles have soft, comfy silicone eyecups attached to a durable, curved plastic band with ratchets on either side to adjust and fit heads measuring between 20 and 24 inches in circumference. They shield the eyes from ultraviolet rays, blocking out all light. Their British creators, Hugh Robertson and Lynne McLeod, told me that a hangover during a Mediterranean trip helped inspire these sun blockers. (Only one had downed a few too many, and it would be impolite to say which.) A desperate need to block out all sunshine while working on a tan inspired these eyeshades.
The good: It is not easy to get shut-eye on a plane, especially if you require total darkness to grab more than a catnap. Occles are blackout curtains for the eyes. They block the light, whether it’s sunshine or ambient plane light. They have helped me sleep sitting up or lying across three economy seats (on rare occasions) for several hours on long transcontinental and trans-Atlantic flights. And they seem indestructible. I can toss them loose into my suitcase and not worry about other gear trampling my Occles. And if I tanned rather than burned, these would be fantastic for tanning.
The bad: They are more comfortable when sleeping on your back than your side. I wish Occles made an accessory to cushion the temples for side sleeping.
Cost: $30
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Available from: www.occles.co or www.thegrommet.com
Terry Gardner is a freelance reporter.