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review

Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses

7
£89.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Lightweight glasses that offer great visibility and a huge light transition range
Uninterrupted vision
Good clarity
Lightweight
Not as good coverage as some
Weight: 
28g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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These Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens sunglasses offer excellent all-round visibility thanks to their frameless design, and the tint range of the photochromatic lens covers the majority of riding conditions even into the darkness. The wind can whip around the sides a bit, though, which won't please hayfever sufferers or those with sensitive eyes.

It's not so much of an issue for me these days, but back when I was commuting, using photochromatic lenses was a massive plus. Some days I'd be leaving in the dark in the morning and daylight would creep in before I arrived at my destination, with the opposite happening on the return journey.

> Find your nearest dealer here

With a light transmission range from 27.7% to 75.9%, the Tifosis can be used in complete darkness and all but the brightest summer sunshine, coping with the changing weather conditions that can happen during a ride, or the transition between sunshine and shade.

The response to conditions is quick enough – I never really noticed any lag – and the change in colour is barely noticeable while you are riding along.

2021 Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses - light adjusting lens.jpg

On a hot summer's day with very bright sunshine they don't go quite as dark as I'd like, especially if you are actually heading into the sun, but they aren't far off.

Clarity is very good, with all colours being well defined, and my vision was just as clear as without glasses on.

I like the frameless design that gives you great vision when glancing over your shoulder before pulling out to change lane or overtake. Plus, when looking straight ahead with your head slightly down, you don't have a bar of material sitting in your eye line.

2021 Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses - front.jpg

The arms fit closely enough to stop any movement and do this by applying just a small amount of pressure, so they remain comfortable even on longer rides.

The lens is curved and offers good coverage for your eyes from the front, although I did find the shape around the sides allows some wind to whip around. It stops any fogging in humid or wet conditions, but I did suffer with pollen being blown over my eyes during the hayfever season more than with other glasses in my collection.

2021 Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses - arm.jpg

The lens offers 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays, and it's compatible with Tifosi's RX03A optical adaptor should you need prescription specs.

Overall quality is impressive, and Tifosi backs that up with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

2021 Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses - hinge.jpg

The arms are screwed into place rather than relying on any push-fit connection, and the nose-piece is customisable by giving it a squidge.

2021 Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses - nose piece.jpg

For a quality set of photochromatic glasses, £89.99 is a decent price. It's certainly a lot cheaper than something like Alba Optics' Stratos Ghost VZUM AF-Lens model at £173.46, though Anna was very impressed with the quality of the optics, if not so much with the rattling of the adjustable arms.

dhb's Vector Photochromatic glasses are £90 and offer a good transition range, as long as you don't mind full framed glasses. It also offers its photochromatic Half Frame glasses for just £40.

> Buyer’s Guide: 31 of the best cycling sunglasses

Overall, the Tifosis are a good pair of glasses that have got plenty of use over the past couple of months, which have seen a whole multitude of weather conditions. On the whole I like the frameless design and the light transition range means these are a year-round pair of specs.

Verdict

Lightweight glasses that offer great visibility and a huge light transition range

road.cc test report

Make and model: Tifosi Slice Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses

Size tested: n/a

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?

Tifosi says, "The Tifosi Slice provides fantastic frameless optics with an organic, curved lens design, combined with the aggressive arms of the Alliant model for a dynamic look.

"Tifosi's Fototec lenses adjust rapidly to changing light conditions, utilising variable tint technology. Whatever the light condition, Fototec lenses enhance your performance and increase your comfort by supplying superior clarity and protection."

They'll work in a multitude of conditions.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Tifosi lists these details:

Hydrophilic rubber ear and nose pieces for a no-slip fit

Adjustable nose and arm pieces

Frameless design increase air circulation & reduce fogging

Fits S-M face size

29 grams

100% protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays

Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects*

Compatible with the RX03A optical adapter

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They work well well in various light conditions.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Quick-acting photochromatic lens.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Wind can get in around the sides, which can irritate the eyes.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Overall, at £89.99 they look decent value against many glasses we've reviewed, especially when you consider the photochromatic lens. They are cheaper by a long way than the Alba Optics choice mentioned in the review, and hold their own against well-priced brands like dhb.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

There is very little to dislike here, unless you want a bit more wind protection for your eyes. The quality is good and the lens works really well in a range of conditions and light levels.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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