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review

Tifosi Logic sunglasses

8
£49.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Smart-looking, high-quality eye-wear at a good-value price
Weight: 
30g
Contact: 

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Tifosi is a very popular brand in the USA, with a massive range of eyewear for running, cycling, tennis, golf, fishing and more, but it's a relatively new name here in the UK. We've been testing a pair of Logic cycling specs, and going by the quality and price we think Tifosi may become much better-known in future.

The lenses are made from polycarbonate, a plastic designed to flex slightly, which Tifosi say is 'decentered' meaning vision is not distorted. This is true; we've done quite a few miles in these glasses in varying conditions, and the view has always been 100% clear. (Until being hit by road spray from the rider in front, but that's another story...)

In the upper corner of each lens there's a ventilation gap (basically an open slot between frame and lens). This helps reduce fogging, by funnelling a small amount of airflow behind the lens. It may look like a gimmick but it works.

The fame is made from another kind of plastic (we're informed it's called Grilamid TR-90 homopolyamide nylon) which is very strong but still flexible rather than brittle.

The frame design gives a large section of frame on each side, level with the temples, just in front of the frame hinge. Some riders may find this too chunky and prefer a svelter look; I like it because it keeps out glare from the corner of the eyes.

The sections of the frame that go over the ears are made from black rubber dubbed 'hydrophilic' (ie, water loving) which Tifosi claims grip better when wet - whether it's rain and sweat. The same applies to the nose-piece. Having worn these glasses during some long sportives recently in hot conditions, where sweat was pouring from under the helmet on the big climbs, we can safely confirm this claim is true. The glasses stayed firmly in place all day.

The ear-pieces can also be bent into shape according to personal comfort. Some riders like the stylish look of straight lines. We go for a slightly downward curve: as well as an added guarantee the glasses won't slip off, it also means the earpieces don't touch the underneath of the helmet rim. Being able to fine-tune the fit this way is a very useful feature.

We also like the fact that the ends of the ear-pieces do not touch the inside of the lens when the glasses are folded, which means no scratches in transit.

Our test glasses have an orange frame, but the Logics also come in black, white, sliver and brown. The recommended retail price is a penny under £50 (less at some on-line stores), which compares very well with the price of similar quality specs from the better-known high-profile brands.

Verdict

Smart-looking, high-quality eye-wear at a good-value price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Tifosi Logic

Size tested: Race Neon

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Tifosi website says: 'Tifosi is the Italian word referring to a super-fan, an enthusiast, and that is exactly who we are and who we make our eyewear for. Our mission is to provide technically advanced eyewear to enthusiasts of all sports and outdoor activities.' We haven't tested the glasses for golf and fishing, but the cycling kit is certainly good quality. So yes, we can see a time when Tifosi will have more tifosis on this side of the Atlantic.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Did you enjoy using the product? yes

Would you consider buying the product? yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 50  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp   My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, mtb,

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6 comments

Avatar
durandir | 12 years ago
0 likes

How much air would these glasses let onto your eyes? I'm wondering how the ventilation gaps affect this.

I'm in the plains of America and ride a road bike. With very few trees etc. to block wind, It pummels into my eyes. I wear contacts and this dries them out. Blinking becomes painful. So I was looking for a good pair of sunglasses that would help. With the price of these I thought I'd check.

Would the ventilation gap cause enough air flow onto eyes to dry out contacts?

Any opinions on this?

Avatar
David Else | 13 years ago
0 likes

Sorry about that. Somewhere in transit our test model got separated from its other lenses. You’re right: the Logic is one of Tifosi’s ‘interchangeable’ range of Bike/Hike/Run glasses and comes with three sets of lenses, classed by Tifosi as ‘GT’ (or ‘Golf-Tennis’, providing high contrast), ‘EC’ (extreme contrast) and ‘AC-Red‘ (for ‘sunny-to-cloudy’ conditions). If the errant lenses are located, I’ll update the review.

Avatar
simondbarnes | 13 years ago
0 likes

No mention of the fact these glasses come with 3 interchangeable lenses?

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nbrus | 13 years ago
0 likes

I have the 'Light Night' Fototec version of these ... they are a better fit for me than some of the other Tifosi models (e.g. Forza) as my eyelashes don't contact the lenses as much. The lenses do scratch easily and Tifosi don't mention anything on their website about lens coatings, so they may be saving money here. They are nice sunglasses with the Fototec being ideal for commuting (dark mornings/sunny afternoons).

Avatar
David Else | 13 years ago
0 likes

across the inside of the frame from hinge to hinge is 135mm. when you put the glasses on, they flex open to slightly wider than this.
hope that helps
David
(also not a small head)

Avatar
Martin Thomas | 13 years ago
0 likes

I quite like the look of these. Can you tell me how wide they are? I need shades for the fuller face...(OK, bigger head)

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