Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Tifosi Optics SLICE Sunglasses > Test Report by Nancy Griffith

TIFOSI SLICE SUNGLASSES
TEST SERIES BY NANCY GRIFFITH
LONG-TERM REPORT
April 20, 2020

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

My outdoor experience began in high school with a co-ed scout group which made a 10-day canoe voyage through the Quebec wilds. I've been backpacking since college in Pennsylvania. I have hiked 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail and 2/3 of the Pacific Crest Trail. My typical trip is in the Sierra Nevada from a few days to a few weeks long. My base weight is lightweight at 15 lb (6.8 kg) while still using a tent, stove and quilt. Longer mileage summer trips are now stoveless.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Tifosi Optics
Year of Manufacture: 2019
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.tifosioptics.com
MSRP: $79.95

Listed Weight: Not Listed
Measured Weights:
sunglasses only:1.0 oz (28.4 g)
Hard case: 2.1 oz (60 g)
Sunglass bag: 0.3 oz (8.5 g)

Color Tested: Black/White frame with Light Night Fototec lenses
Other Colors Available: Crystal Smoke frame with Clarion Blue/ AC Red/ Clear lenses
Matte White frame with Smoke/ AC Red/ Clear lenses
Black/White frame with Smoke/ AC Red/ Clear lenses
Crystal Black frame with Enliven Bike lens

Size Tested: One Size fits Small/Medium faces
Width: 132 mm (5.2 in)
Arm length: 120.5 mm (4.75 in)
Height of lens: 43.85 mm (1.75 in)
Width of nose pads: 15.5 mm (0.6 in)

Made in Taiwan

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The Tifosi Optics Slice Sunglasses are a frameless shield type of lens designed for active outdoor use such as running or cycling. The shape wraps around the face and with no frame around the lenses at all, there is nothing to obstruct vision. According to the Tifosi website, the frame is made from a light durable nylon called Grilamid TR-90 that is supposed to resist chemical and UV damage. Both the nose piece and the ear pieces are made from hydrophilic rubber which increases grip as they get wet. Both are also listed on the website as adjustable for a custom comfortable fit to eliminate slippage.

These lenses are Tifosi's Light Night Fototec version which is a photochromic lens that darkens and lightens with the brightness of the environment. So, this version has no interchangeable lenses. The lenses are scratch-resistant, shatterproof polycarbonate with a glare guard coating. They are optically decentered which is designed to eliminate distortion and prevent unwanted magnification. They also provide 100% UV protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

A hard case with a zippered closure is included along with a soft drawstring bag that doubles as a lens cleaning cloth.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS & TRYING THEM OUT

Tint in full sun

Upon opening them in the house, the lenses seemed completely clear. However, if I place them atop something white, I can see that even the lightest tint has some color.

I wore the Slice on a short hike since it was a nice sunny day although it is nearly winter so the sun is low in the sky. The lenses seemed to darken quickly upon exposure to the bright sunlight. I compared them to my pre-tinted sunglasses and even the darkest tint seemed lighter than my other glasses. However, I never found myself squinting and my eyes were comfortable on the entire hike.

The website shows that the Slice has adjustable nose and ear pieces, so I squeezed and pushed open the nose pads easily to get what seemed like a good fit. The ear pieces are more of a mystery to me. They fit fine, but I wasn't able to see how they adjusted. There is some flex so possibly that is the 'adjustment'. I was afraid to flex them too much for fear of damaging them.

I'm excited about testing out a photochromic pair of sunglasses since I've never owned a pair before. With it being nearly winter and having the sun lower in the sky and more cloudy days, there are more opportunities to need eye protection without a dark lens. Besides hiking and snowshoeing this winter, I play arena softball where eye protection is a great idea but it is indoor so no lens tint is needed. I also plan to wear them for outdoor work like cutting trees and brush on our property.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Tifosi Optics offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They'll accept a return for exchange or refund for 30 days after the delivery date with no questions asked.

The enclosed use and care instructions say to use the provided storage bag for regular cleaning. When they need a deeper cleaning, I should use mild soap and warm water.

SUMMARY

The Tifosi Slice Sunglasses are a wrap-around sport sunglass with photochromic lenses (this version) or a variety of other available lens options for every situation.

Initial Likes:
Fit smaller faces
Great lens options
Photochromic
Stylish
Frameless, wraparound lenses

Initial Concerns (To Be Tested Out):
Does darkest tint block sun enough?
Is the rubber durable?
Does arm grab hair?

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

With the lack of typical winter weather here (rain), it has been sunny with lots of testing opportunities. We also spent a week each in San Diego and Phoenix. So, the glasses have been with me nearly every day in the car, on walks and hikes and even for indoor athletic activity. I wore them for seven day hikes, three morning runs and walks on most other days. I wore them every week for indoor pickleball and arena softball. I also wore them around the home for cutting brush and inside for remodeling projects as eye protection.

Hikes:
White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Arizona: 5 mi (8 km); 1,506 to1,853 ft (459 to 565 m) elevation; 66 F (19 C); full sun

Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona: 3 mi (5 km); 1,696 to 1,800 ft (517 to 549 ft) elevation; 55 F (13 C); full sun with some slight shade

Wind Cave, Usery Mountain Regional Park, Arizona: 4.3 mi (7 km); 2,028 to 2,840 ft (618 to 866 m); 58 F (14 C); full sun

Wave Cave, Superstition Mountains, Arizona: 4 mi (7 km); 2,120 to 3,070 ft (646 to 936 m); 64 F (18 C); full sun

West Rim Trail, Cronan Ranch in Auburn Recreation Area, California: 4 mi (6 km); 500 to 1,500 ft (150 to 450 m) elevation; 64 F (18 C); bright sun

Two hikes on Gerle Loop in the Auburn Recreation Area, California: 2.5 mi to 3.5 mi (4 to 6 km); 500 to 1,500 ft (150 to 450 m) elevation; 55 to 65 F (13 to 18 C); sunny with some shaded areas

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The sunglasses have been performing well. I like the convenience of the photochromic lenses so that I can transition from outdoor to indoor, full sun to shade without taking off the glasses. I notice in the brightest sun that they are just slightly less dark and protective as compared to my typical sunglasses. This causes me to shield my eyes at times especially with lower sun angles, but it hasn't been a big issue.

The lenses are holding up well. I haven't managed to put any significant scratches on the lenses despite my typically carrying and storing them without a case or even the pouch. I try to use the pouch, but I just don't usually bother unless I need to put them in a piece of luggage. I leave them in the car or by the back door so I won't forget to have them with me. The frames and construction have been impeccable with no signs of any wear or deterioration.

The Tifosi are comfortable with a good fit. I haven't had any issue with them slipping down my nose when I get sweaty or am running. Only on a few occasions have I been able to steam up the lens during very vigorous activity. But even then, the fog seemed to clear quickly so it seems that the ventilation is pretty good. There hasn't been a problem with the temple grips grabbing onto my hair.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Safe in the Outdoors!

With the shelter-in-place order, my backpacking and multi-day four-wheel-drive backcountry trips got cancelled. However, the weather has been nice and sunny. So, like in the Field Report period, I've been able to wear the glasses nearly every day. I wore them for six day hikes, two morning runs and walks on most other days. I wore them for indoor pickleball until that was shut down. I continued to wear them around the home for yard work and for remodeling projects as eye protection.

Hikes:
Cronan Ranch in Auburn Recreation Area, California: 4 mi (6 km); 500 to 1,500 ft (150 to 450 m) elevation; 60 F (16 C); sunny

Three hikes on Gerle Loop in the Auburn Recreation Area, California: 2.5 mi to 3.5 mi (4 to 6 km); 500 to 1,500 ft (150 to 450 m) elevation; 55 to 65 F (13 to 18 C); mostly sunny

Dave Moore Nature Area, California: 2.2 mi (3.5 km); 500 ft (150 m); 62 F (17 C); evening sun

Whitney Oaks Trail, Rocklin, California: 3 mi (5 km); 250 to 350 ft (75 to 100 m) elevation; 60 F (16 C); sunny

Eight walks/runs at Twin Oaks Park, Rocklin, California: 3 mi (5 km) average; 250 ft (75 m) elevation; range of 50 to 75 F (10 to 24 C); mostly sunny with some early morning and late evening outings

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Final Condition - Like New!

I continue to really enjoy the Tifosi Slice Sunglasses especially for their photochromic lenses. It's so convenient to be able to run in and out of doors without having to take off my sunglasses. I admit that the protection in bright sunlight isn't quite what I would like. I find myself squinting in bright sunlight as if the darkest tint just isn't quite dark enough. But overall there are so many occasions where these glasses are ideal that I'm very happy with them.

The fit on my smaller face has been great too. I've run and played vigorous sports without any worry of the glasses slipping down or moving about on their own. I still encountered a little fogging after running or playing hard and then stopping and standing still. It happened both inside and outside. But overall this wasn't a big concern.

The lenses continue to be scratch-free despite some difficult conditions like tossing them into my car console, dropping them and just generally being care-free in my handling of them. I haven't used the pouch or case since I'm wearing the glasses daily. They are either on my face, in my car or on the table next to the door where I put them when I come in.

So, there isn't much new to report except that with another two months of near daily use, the Slice are as good-as-new and will be my go-to sunglasses for quite awhile.

SUMMARY

The Tifosi Slice Sunglasses have been a very useful and comfortable pair of sunglasses that work for me in a variety of indoor and outdoor situations.

Likes:
Great Fit (smaller faces)
Variety of lens options
Photochromic
Stylish
Frameless, wraparound lenses

Minor Issues:
Slight fogging in extreme situations
Not quite dark enough to prevent squinting

This concludes my Long-Term Report and this test series. Thanks to Tifosi Optics and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to try out this product.

Reviews > Eye Protection and Binoculars > Sun Glasses > Tifosi Optics SLICE Sunglasses > Test Report by Nancy Griffith