Tifosi Sunglasses are a great value proposition in the sunglasses market, occupying a space somewhere between inexpensive, cheapy brands like Goodr and longtime, powerhouse brands like Smith Optics. The Best Tifosi Sunglasses aren’t that pricey yet include most of the bells and whistles found in the most expensive brands. And what’s extra great for us is that they’re just as tuned for performance and meant to be worn for running, cycling, fishing, golf, water sports, and snow sports – which, if you speak Italian, you probably already figured since “tifosi” is the Italian word for “fans” or “sports enthusiasts” (and hey, if the name is also good enough for Ferrari, it’s good enough for us).
Tifosi Optics was founded in 2003 by husband and wife team Joe and Elizabeth Earley in Georgia. The mission was to create an eyewear brand that delivered quality, style, function, and value without the high price tag often associated with performance sports eyewear. Tifosi’s headquarters is still located in Watkinsville, Georgia (just outside of Athens, GA, the home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs).
In this article, we’ll review our favorite performance picks from among Tifosi’s full line of sunglasses. But even if you don’t see a pair you’re eyeing on this list, know that Tifosi is one of our favorite sunglasses brands and, while we may not prefer the exact style you’re considering, all Tifosi sunglasses are well-built and deliver more value than expected for the price.
Best Tifosi Sunglasses Show
Best Tifosi Optics Lens Options
First, let’s talk about lenses in an attempt to demystify one of the more confusing aspects of performance sports eyewear.
Some Tifosi sunglasses come with one lens type, whereas others come with three that are interchangeable (the selected base/primary lens, an additional medium-tint lens for cloudy or foggy weather, and a clear lens for low-light conditions).
There are also lenses that include a combination of technologies. Some of our favorite lens varieties are Silver Mirror, Cobalt Blue, Gold Mirror, Clarion Red, Clarion Blue Fototec, and Smoke Polarized Fototec. You should choose a primary lens based on your chosen outdoor activity, location, and personal needs. You’ll want to focus on Fototec options, for example, if you want a lens that starts almost clear and darkens in sunlight.
All of Tifosi’s non-low-light or clear lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection (and even some of the clear ones do, too). Many of the frames are also available with prescription lenses.
Take a look at Tifosi’s handy-dandy reference page for extra help in figuring out which tints and technologies are best for you.
Now let’s get into some of our favorite frames…
Tifosi Moab Lite
- Type: Shield with interchangeable lenses
- Lenses: Main lens / AC Red / Clear (Fototec versions only include main lens)
- Fit: Medium-Large
- Extras: Zippered hardshell case, microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: No
- Price: $80 ($90 for a Fototec lens)
The Moab Lite is a shield-style pair of sunglasses that dispenses with the bottom portion of the frame to save weight. The lens is shatterproof, and you get three interchangeable lenses with every (non-Fototec) pair.
The nose and ear pads are fully adjustable. The pads lock into the glasses nicely, and there’s no movement. The helpful cutouts for airflow at the temples are our favorite feature. It’s a minimalist shield that is ready for most outdoor adventures.
Tifosi Selca
- Type: Aviator
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Medium-Large
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: Yes
- Price: $40 – $60 (depending on lens selection)
The Tifosi Selca is among the brand’s classic-looking Aviator models. It uses a plant-based frame called Thrive (which feels like most plastic frames), is incredibly lightweight, and delivers Aviator style at a price that is much more palatable than the luxury eyewear competition. And with high-quality lenses in tow, you get a lot more value than both the Amazon-level glasses priced below it and the high-end glasses above it.
True, the frame is not metal like you’d find with many Aviators, but the look is still classic. If you want a metal version, go with the Tifosi Schwae. Or if you want a more squared-off Aviator, go with the Tifosi Salto. Whichever specific style of Tifosi Aviator you choose, the fit, weight, and the way these glasses hug the face is top-notch.
Tifosi Vogel SL
- Type: Shield
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Large-XL
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: No
- Price: $40
The Vogel SL is a lightweight Tifosi model with multisport prowess that is especially built to excel at running, golf, and baseball. It’s a rimless shield with hydrophilic nose and ear pads; but the real winner is the Comfort Grip arms that flex to hold the sunglasses securely to your face without too much pressure. The Comfort Grip feature also results in zero-bounce sunglasses that stay in place no matter how sweaty they get.
The shield lens is large but angles nicely, so it doesn’t look as big while still protecting you as well as the Moab Lite, Moab, and Sanctum (which we’ll talk about shortly). This is the best budget shield option on the entire sunglasses market.
Tifosi Sanctum
- Type: Shield
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Medium-Large
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: Yes
- Price: $40 – $60 (depending on lens selection)
The Sanctum is a shield-style model with a full frame made of the same lightweight, plant-based material (Thrive) found in the aforementioned Selca.
The rubber nose pads are grippy but not customizable. But if the frame fits your face, it won’t move. There is a small amount of light pollution that enters on the sides, but this is still a clear step up from other shield-style glasses in this price range.
Tifosi Sanctum XL
- Type: Shield
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Large-XL
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: No
- Price: $40
The Tifosi Sanctum XL is just like the Sanctum, only with 25% more lens area and a 5g weight increase. Athletes with larger heads will appreciate the extra coverage for the same price.
One additional difference worth noting is that the XL does not currently have a polarized lens option nor is it available in a prescription version.
Tifosi Rail
- Type: AShield with interchangeable lenses
- Lenses: Main lens / AC Red / Clear (Fototec versions only include main lens)
- Fit: Large-XL
- Extras: Zippered hardshell case, microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: No
- Price: $80 ($90 for a Fototec lens)
The Tifosi Rail is a rimless, shield-style model built for cycling and baseball but works just as well for running and water sports.
It comes with three lenses; but no matter which lens you’re wearing, the nose and ear pads are fully adjustable for a customized fit — and since they’re made from hydrophilic rubber, the grip will actually increase the more you sweat.
Tifosi Moab
- Type: Shield with interchangeable lenses
- Lenses: Main lens / AC Red / Clear (Fototec versions only include main lens)
- Fit: Medium-Large
- Extras: Zippered hardshell case, microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: No
- Price: $80 ($90 for a Fototec lens)
Built for cycling, the Tifosi Moab is a big, shield-style model with a full frame…but it doesn’t weigh any more than the Sanctum XL or the Rail. It works well for running and other sports for those with bigger faces.
It has four air vents (left and right temple, left and right cheekbone), so fog mitigation is impressive. The fully adjustable nose and ear pads keep the Moab locked in place, and the frame construction keeps light from slipping in the sides. It’s a great value if you’re in the market for a large shield.
Tifosi Sizzle
- Type: Mini-shield
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Small-Medium
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: Yes
- Price: $40
Want a lightweight, smaller, pair of shield-style sunglasses that feels like you’re not wearing a shield? That’s the Tifosi Sizzle.
It’s similar to the Sanctum in most ways, does allow some light in at the sides, and has more rounded edges. But it’s still a great value in a silhouette not many sunglasses manufacturers do well.
Tifosi Swank
- Type: Classic
- Lenses: Main lens
- Fit: Small-Medium
- Extras: Microfiber cleaning bag
- Prescription Version Available: Yes
- Price: $25 – $60 (depending on lens selection)
Need a basic, Oakley Frogskin-style model for a fraction of the price (literally over $100 less) that still packs a high-quality lens, has the option of lots of colorways, and effortlessly flaunts that classic style? Tifosi’s Swank model has you covered.
It also includes the plant-based Thrive frame and hydrophilic nose pads for a slip-free fit. The Swank is also available in an XL version, as a reader/reading glasses, and can be outfitted with your prescription both as sunglasses and as regular prescription glasses.
Submit your picks for the Best Tifosi Sunglasses
Did we miss what is in your opinion the Best Tifosi Sunglasses? If so, comment below with your favorite, and tell us why we should test it and potentially add it to the list.
