Finding sunglasses I love to wear around town and that are also suitable for use on the course has been an ongoing dilemma.
More often than not, the shades I gravitate toward for lifestyle wear are oversized with ultra-dark lenses. They’re often sort of heavy, too. They don’t fit well underneath a hat and tend to slip down off the bridge of my nose if I try to wear them to play.
But sporty frames are simply not my jam. I find the aerodynamic and sort of futuristic look to be supremely unflattering on me. And hey, look good, play good, right? That’s why I was intrigued to check out the latest from Tifosi — a brand founded in 2003 that has long been popular with runners and cyclists but also has an extensive golf collection.
What makes Tifosi sunglasses stand out? I tested four different pairs, ranging from classic aviators to modern round and square frames. I wore them everywhere — driving to the grocery store, hanging out on the pool deck, collecting kids at school pickups, and on the golf course. Here’s what I loved best.
Tifosi Shumo
ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Amazon, Scheels
1. Lightweight fit
Each pair of Tifosi frames felt light on the face, and the lenses were crystal clear, thanks to shatterproof, scratch-resistant polycarbonate material. A comfortable, pinch-free fit? That’s a good start.
Tifosi Swank XL
ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Amazon, REI
2. No-slip grip
Hydrophilic rubber nose pads ensure a secure, no-slip fit. I was especially impressed by the aviators. I’ve always loved this style, but had a hard time wearing it because I like to put the glasses on top of my head when I’m indoors, and my hair would always get caught in the nosepiece. Tifosi’s aviators incorporate the rubber nose pad into the frame, so you get all the benefits of a secure grip without excessive hair pulling. A revelation!
Tifosi Shwae
ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Amazon, TGW
3. Stylish options
With Tifosi’s customization tool, you can choose lens, frame, and arm colors to create thousands of possible sunglass combinations. Or, there are plenty of ready-made designs to choose from online, ranging from super sporty to the lifestyle-friendly selections featured here.
Tifosi Svago
ALSO AVAILABLE AT: Amazon, Marathon Sports
4. Great value
Most of Tifosi’s glasses range from $25 to $50 — an incredible deal! And while they look trendy and cool, you don’t feel like you have to treat them with kid gloves. I tend to drop my glasses frequently and store them in my car console or golf bag, not in a case. I really appreciated the durability and quality of construction. And at that price point, you can keep multiple pairs on hand for different occasions, too.
Shop for the pairs I tested above, or check out Tifosi’s entire collection here.