Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Opinions are my own, based on personal use.
When you travel a lot, you don’t always control the light around you — airports with harsh overhead fluorescents, hotel lamps that never dim, cities that never get dark. These glasses give you one small way to take control again.
I’ve been using the TrueDark Twilights Classic for a while. They’re the old-school version, and still my favorite. My best use case is on an airplane. A lot of times I’m just trying to chill or sleep, especially when somebody else has the reading light on or when the whole cabin is lit up like a Christmas tree. These glasses help block that junk light so I can relax.
I also like to wear them a few hours before takeoff, during boarding or airport downtime. It helps my body start to wind down before a long flight. In theory they cut out the wavelengths that keep you alert. I’m not making scientific claims — it just works for me.
Like Portable Blackout Curtains
At home, people use blackout curtains to keep out streetlights or neon signs that leak into the bedroom. On the road, you can’t do that. For me, these glasses are a kind of portable blackout curtain. They let me block out all that stray light wherever I am. The foam padding around the frames seals light from the top, bottom, left, and right — really effective on planes or in bright hotel rooms.
Reading Still Works
I read a lot — both on a Kindle and in paper books — and I can still read comfortably while wearing them. The tint is strong but not blinding; it just makes everything a calm reddish tone instead of bright white.
Less Doom-Scrolling
They also change the way screens feel. Through the lenses, the usual color contrast that keeps you scrolling turns into deep reds and oranges. It takes the edge off social feeds — Twitter, Facebook, TikTok — and makes them less hypnotic. Sometimes I even set my phone to black-and-white and wear these at the same time.
The Look
Last point: they look cool. There’s something classic and a little bit rock-star about them. That’s not why I wear them, but it doesn’t hurt.
Final Thoughts
For me, these have become part of my regular travel gear. They weigh almost nothing — about 1.2 oz (34 g) — and the case takes up only about 0.2 L (0.007 cu ft) of space. I carry them on me. If I accidentally pack them in checked luggage, I notice immediately on the flight. They’ve been with me through airports, hostels, and now here in Sarajevo, where I’m writing this.
You can find them on Amazon or at the official TrueDark site. They’re not a medical product — just a small, practical tool that helps make travel light a bit more manageable.
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Opinions are my own, based on personal use.
Disclaimer: This article describes personal experience and general use. It is not medical advice. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified professional before changing routines or using any wellness device.
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