Material Disclosure

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

I lost my favorite pair of Oakley glasses. Bummer. I’ve had those things for years and they served me well. It was difficult for me to find a model from the Oakley line up that really fit my face. The Flak Jacket Asian Fit model (yes that’s the name) worked for me because of my narrow face, and I just liked the streamlined look of that particular straight jacket model.

I had them for years. Wore them for running, shooting, and for stylish wear. Not only that, but I also stepped on the ‘El-cheapo’ glasses I bought at the gas station for $5.00 bucks, which I kept for my everyday use. Really not my week. The el cheapos were great for when I did something labor intensive and didn’t want to scratch a good pair of Oakley lenses.

So, it was time to revert to my Tifosi sport glasses that I use when I’m running, until I buy another pair of Oakley’s. I like Tifosi’s sport line. The company gets its name from the Italian word for an avid sports enthusiast.

I like the Tifosi brand for a lot of reasons. The price is a good attractant. Elite athletes usually purchase it for the flash factor. Why not? They are crushing scores under the media spotlight and deserve all the attention they get. They worked for it. Tifosi does offer more subtle colors and I recommend these for outdoor/survival wear/

Many of their models are below $100 bucks while still bringing function, value, style and quality together. My glasses retailed for $89.00. Most of their models retail between $30.00-$100.00 and their top model can be had for $150.00. My red colored frames are tame compared to what is out there. They have a lot of eye-popping colors and styles. I’m writing about Tifosi because I like their product. They make a fair item for a fair price. And they offer a tactical line of glasses.

Let’s be clear. These aren’t meant to be the Oakley’s battle-tested brand but they do have their own place in the sunglasses world. Their look tends to be slimmer, lighter and contemporary.

Sport glasses manufacturers are focusing on a few things when they craft their eyewear. Look ahead for featherweight comfort, lightweight, improved grip that makes the glasses non-slip frames. Frame construction for Tifosi tends to lean on the fashionable side instead of the chunky side. It makes sense, because sports eye-glass wearers are looking for good ventilation and aerodynamic models. Great for running, cycling or daily wear.

Tifosi started out primarily meeting the needs of cyclists, runner, outdoors and golf-types rather than the military and LEO’s. Eventually they branched into the tactical market and got a big endorsement from the National Tactical Officer’s Association (NTOA). This means the tactical line of Tifosi Jet FC and Veloce Tactical eyewear models were put under aggressive testing and held up well. Tifosi’s goal is to design functional eyewear that holds up to the torture test for athletes, law enforcement and military alike. Let’s give them a chance.

For the survivalist type, they are an alternative to the Oakley’s, 5.11, or Wiley X. Most of the other glasses have a bit more weight to their look, a bit more breadth. Just because Tifosi has a leaner look doesn’t mean these are fragile tactical glasses. Keep in mind their tactical style mirrors what their sport line looks like. Its meant to be trim and graceful. If you want something weightier go back to Oakley’s but keep an open-mind for Tifosi.

Tifosi’s Tactical collection is available solely in a black matte finish and comes with a protective case not dissimilar from the Oakley line-up. The frames are all shatterproof polycarbonate and the glasses come with single lens or an optional interchangeable option with three lenses. Of course these meet or exceed the ANSI Z87.1 safety standards. This means impact, eye coverage and optical clarity are a must.

The majority of their glasses come in small, medium and large sizes to help you get a good fit. A few come in extra small. And they have many, many choices for ball sports, biking or running, golf, tennis, outdoors and water sports.

Their website lists a few features:

Oakley’s will always be a brand I go to. Partly out of habit, partly out of style because I like the huskier look mixed with the modern sensibilities from Oakley’s designers. Oakley’s makes great glasses in the sub $200.00 range; cool-looking, light weight, strong, has a great following among military and law enforcement personnel who know what they want and what they’re looking for.

However, Tifosi makes great glasses in the sub $100.00 range. Most of their brand is for the athletic world, primarily runners and cyclists, but this shouldn’t stop you from getting a pair. The Tifosi Dolomite has hydrophobic reflective lenses. This means water molecules don’t stick to the glasses. This means cleanliness of the lens and clear vision, a must for athletes, who are seeking moisture prevention purposes during athletic exertion.  The Dolomites retail for around $79.00. Another good-looking model is the Tifosi Tyrant 2 which comes in at the same price.

Light-weight, very modern with a bit of flair, and definitely affordable. You’re guaranteed to get function, value, style and quality for under a hundred with Tifosi. Check them out. A good manufacturer indeed.