The Tifosi Rail is a lightweight, partial wrap-around transition lens suited for cycling, running, and skiing. The Clarion Red Fototec lens, allows for variable sunlight days particularly suited for activities near dusk and days with changing cloud cover. We’ll also talk a little bit about the Tifosi Rail XC sunglasses, and the non Fototec lenses.
About Tifosi
Tifosi Optical is a high-end sunglasses brand founded in 2003. Tifosi’s founders set out to create an eyewear brand that stood for quality, style, function, and value. Over the years, Tifosi has gained popularity in a number of athletic areas, especially cycling and running.
Tifosi’s offerings are known for the quality of their construction, as well as highly innovative designs.
Where to purchase
Specifications
- Weight: 32 g
- Size: Large-XL
- 121 mm ear pieces (can be adjusted to about a cm longer)
- 131 mm lens width
- 59.5 mm lens height
- Clarion Red Fototec Lens with VLT (Visible Light Transmission): 14% – 64%
- Other Options:
- If you are looking for a slightly smaller lens, Tifosi offers the same frame and sunglass shape with a smaller profile
- If you’d prefer to go without the Fototec (transition lens), each non transition lens color variation comes with three lenses.
First Impressions
The Tifosi Rail sunglasses are lightweight, but they feel more durable than their weight. The Fototec lens changes quickly from dark to clear in warmer weather.
What I Loved
- Lightweight: These glasses are not noticeable while exercising
- Quick clear to dark transitions: Sunglasses will turn dark quickly in bright sun.
- Durable: Did not crack or scratch when I dropped them onto rocks on their first outing.
- Minimal Fogging: Only found slight fogging while going up extremely steep sections at high intensity.
- Minimal Bounce and Slipping: I only found them to bounce slightly while running hard downhill.
What Could Be Improved
- Unusual smell when turning clear: Jalapeno off-gas smell when transitioning from dark to clear.
Field Testing
The Tifosi Rail are great sunglasses for activities towards the end of the day. Transition times from dark to clear range from 15 minutes on colder days (around 20F) to 5 minutes on warmer days (tested extensively at 60F due to the unfortunate warm Salt Lake February). As the sun sets, the Tifosi Rail will turn clear to let you finish up in that last light. The Clarion Red Fototec lens ranges from 14% VLT to 64% VLT, so these are not all in one sunglasses for well after sunset touring days. Tifosi does sell a Rail kit with multiple lenses (including a clear one) to change depending on conditions. The lenses are fairly durable as on my first run with them, I dropped them right on a rock while checking to see how quickly the lens was transitioning in some shade and found no cracks or scratches.
The Tifosi Rail sunglasses are large enough to keep the wind out of your eyes while cycling and touring and were comfortable even while wearing my ski helmet, which has been an issue for me with other sunglasses in the past.
Additional Field Testing
On top of the above testing, our team was also able to test the Tifosi Rail XC glasses, which are the same glasses with a slightly smaller lense, which creates more ventilation if needed, or can be better for smaller faces. In addition, we tested three lens colors that we swapped out based on the conditions. Black lens, clear lens, and the Clarion Red lens. This three lens setup is extremely versatile allowing for use of the glasses in the brightest conditions, to after dark and nighttime running and skiing. The photo below is of the Rail glasses with the AC Red lenses.
Tifosi Rail with AC Red lens in use on a ski touring powder day. The red lens is great for lower light conditions that still require some blocking of light.
Final Thoughts
Comfort: 4.5/5 stars – Fit well in a variety of activities.
Looks: 4/5 stars – I am still getting used to large lens sunglasses.
Versatility: 4/5 stars – Perfect for sunny days and sunset activities. The Fototec is versatile, but doesn’t go fully clear for nighttime. We recommend grabbing a clear lens for nighttime activities.
Durability: 5/5 stars – No scratches after a month of heavy use and at least one drop.
Value: 5/5 stars – $80 transition lens are not common
Overall: 4.5/5 stars
