Larger framed sunglasses certainly are all the rage today and the Tifosi Sledge Lite fall right into that category. Designed for medium to extra large faces as a result, they offer a wide range of fit even on narrower faces like mine. Additionally, Tifosi utilizes a virtual try-on through its website; you can either allow access to your camera or upload a picture to see how they will fit, if you have any reservations about frame size. Don’t like the frame color and lens combinations? Use the Tifosi Custom Lab and create your own combinations.
Price: $79.95
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Weight: 35.5 grams
Specs:
- Frame: Light & Durable Grilamid TR-90
- Lens: Clarion Blue / AC Red / Clear – Shatterproof polycarbonate interchange lenses for bright and low light scenarios
- Features: Vented lenses, fully adjustable nose & ear pads, hydrophilic rubber ear and nose pads that increase grip the more you sweat
- Fit: Medium-XL
- Included: Zippered Hardshell Case & Microfiber Cleaning Bag
What I like: Eye coverage is plentiful; 3 quality lenses; affordability
What I’d change: Microfiber cleaning bag was underwhelming; adjustable nose and ear pads required a lot of muscle
My call: The Sledge Lite are more than capable sunglasses, especially considering the price. If you are looking for reasonably prices eyewear that gets the job done, look no further.
Where to buy: Your local bike shop or https://www.tifosioptics.com/
Tifosi Sledge Lite: The ride
I have a full season of riding with these shades and I unquestionably like them. Whether pounding pavement, cruising gravel or smashing singletrack, these glasses stay put, provide protection from the sun, and keep branches and debris out of my eyes.
The Grilamid TR-90 plastic frame offers plenty of strength and flexibility. I dropped these on multiple occasions. Even on the hottest of days, the rubber ear and nose pieces keep the glasses firmly in place, no matter how much sweat ran onto them. Tifosi claims both nose and ear pieces are adjustable; they are, but they require enough force that I was afraid of breaking them. If there was one weakness, I would argue this is it.
The lenses offer great coverage. The vented top help alleviate fogging but don’t allow so much airflow through that your eyes will water or dry out. The Clarion blue lenses worked well in most light conditions from early morning to late evening rides, and outside of that, I could change lenses quickly and easily. One of my biggest pet peeves is sweat dripping from my helmet onto my sunglasses; however, the polycarbonate lenses shredded sweat like a champ and could be easily washed off with water.
Tifosi Sledge Lite: the final word
On the bike, the best compliment I can give a product is that I don’t know it’s there. The Sledge Lite fit that bill. I put them on before I started a ride and didn’t think about them again until I was done. For about $80 you can multiple lenses, a zippered protective case and a great pair of sunglasses that won’t break the bank. All things considered, I would not hesitate to buy another pair in the future.