Performance sunglasses can easily cost more than $200. And I’ll admit to being a bit of a sunglasses snob who likes quality optics. But do you really need to spend that kind of money to get great cycling and skiing sunglasses? Thanks to Tifosi Optics, the answer is no; you don’t need to spend $200. You don’t even need to spend a hundred bucks. The Tifosi Rail XC — shield-style sunglasses with interchangeable lenses — come at a very reasonable $79.
Tifosi Rail XC Sunglasses $79
I’ve worn performance sunglasses from many top brands — Smith, Roka, Revo and Oakley. I’m a big fan of Smith’s ChromaPop lens technology — especially their Ignitor lens tint for its terrain-enhancing contrast in flat light. But spending $219 on sunglasses hurts, no matter how great the optics may be. And it hurts even more when you lose or damage said spendy shades, which we all know happens all too often.
Performance Sunglasses For $79
So, when I met with Tifosi Optics at the Sea Otter Classic and learned that their top-tier performance cycling sunglasses are priced at a modest $79, I was keen to try them. The obvious questions are: How do they compare to premium brands? How can they be so much cheaper?
Well, part of the low-price story is that Tifosi is a relatively small, privately held brand that operates a low overhead model with limited branding and advertising when compared to premium brands. There’s a good interview with Tifosi Optics owner/founder Joe Earley on the Bike Rumor Podcast that tells the story behind the brand and gives some insight into their business model.
Tifosi Rail XC with photochromic lens
Fast forward several weeks, and I’ve been using a couple of different pairs of Tifosi Sunglasses — the Tifosi Rail XC cycling sunglasses (with a photochromic lens, Tifosi calls it Fototec) and the Tifosi Swick with polarized lenses, which are more of an everyday style.
The Tifosi Rail XC Sunglasses
The short story is that I’m impressed with the Tifosi sunglasses. I’ve been using the photochromic edition of the Tifosi Rail XC, one of the only lenses on the market that combines mirror and photochromic technology in a single lens. Tifosi’s Clarion Blue Fototec lens adapts to changes in ambient light, beginning nearly clear (46% light transmission) and darkening to a smoke tint (13% light transmission) with a blue mirror finish in the sunlight.
Looking at the not-so-obvious details, Tifosi uses Grilamid frames (a strong, lightweight acrylic material used by the premium brands, too) and polycarbonate lenses, just like the big brands. In addition, the frames feature adjustable temples and nose pads, and Tifosi offers a lifetime guarantee, just like the big brands.
When it comes to features that help sell sunglasses, the Rail XC has interchangeable lenses and comes with three lenses — one clear, one mid-range tint and one dark tint (the Fototec model only includes one photochromic lens). Swapping lenses is relatively quick and easy. The temples pop off the lens with a firm snap as you pull down on the arm. While not as slick as the Smith Pivlock system, it is simple and fast.
Aside from the cool lens tint, the Rail XC fits and feels great. The XC version is a slightly scaled-down version of the larger Tifosi Rail, so the fit suits a medium-sized face. Better yet, they have a light and barely-there feel. And because the temples are adjustable, you can dial in a custom fit. I’ve got to say, they have stayed put on my face better than any pair of sunglasses I have worn in years. For example, throughout a five-hour gravel ride in 80-plus-degree heat, I never had to push them back up my nose. That right there is worth every penny.
Add crisp optics and great coverage, and the Tifosi Rail XC sunglasses hold their own against sunglasses that cost three times as much.
How are the Optics?
Tifosi Swick sunglasses with polarized lenses
I’m no lens expert and have no fancy test equipment to measure light transmission or contrast. But the Tifosi lenses have exceeded my expectations. They’re clear and crisp. There are no distortion or lens flare issues, and the clarity is consistent through the extreme peripheral vision angles. When comparing the Rail XC with a Smith Reverb, the Smith has a slightly darker tint and a higher contrast. The difference is likely the addition of Smith’s proprietary ChromaPop™ lens tech.
While I like Tifosi’s photochromic Fototec lens, it’s not quite as dark (at its darkest tint) as Tifosi’s standard dark tint lens. So, if you’re looking for the darkest tint possible, stick with the three-lens set of the standard Rail XC. And if you consider your face large, you’ll probably like the original Tifosi Rail over the slightly smaller Rail XC.
Similarly, the Tifosi Swick with polarized lenses feels slightly brighter than a Smith Guide with polarized lenses. But the fit and feel of the Swick is excellent. It’s incredibly lightweight on the face and stays put very well.
Bottom Line: You Don’t Need to Spend $200+ on Sunglasses
I’m sold. Tifosi makes a quality product at a very reasonable price. Sure $200 sunglasses are nice, too. But after wearing the Tifosi Rail XC for cycling and the Tifosi Swick as my everyday pair of sunglasses, I can confidently say, well done, Tifosi. These are some great sunglasses at affordable prices.
Pick out your favorite pair of Tifosi Sunglasses at Tifosi Optics
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