Tifosi Dea Interchangable Glasses

From a female point of view, cycling specific sunglasses are often about as attractive as those modelled by Dame Edna Everage, but without the bling. It would appear to be hard to get real on the bike functionality with genuine style. Not so with these rather fetching Dea specs from Tifosi though.

Unzipping the lightweight protective hard case in which they arrive, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you might just have misread the website and accidentally ordered a pair of normal women's fashion shades. The frames (available in Gloss Wood or White options) are a face flattering, paparazzi defeating size and shape, and very wearable on or off the bike.

On the bike, they sit well with a helmet, giving no problem at all with fit. At just 30g they are light enough to be comfortably forgettable whether being worn or carried in a pocket, which can be done either in the hard case provided or the soft bag that doubles as a cleaning cloth. The Dea's aren't just a pretty face though, they are well featured for cyclists too. Vents beside the shatterproof polycarbonate lenses ensure they keep from fogging up, and they come, as standard, with a choice of three lens colours- Clear (98% Light Transmission), All Conditions Red (27% LT) and Brown with Glare Guard (18% LT) which are interchangeable. Replacement lenses are available separately, in a variety of different tints. A hydrophilic rubber compound is used on the nose bridge and on the legs at the temples to grip better in the presence of sweat.

Changing the lenses isn't the easiest task in the world, but nor is it Mensa standard. The frame materials are designed to flex more than normal sunglasses frames, and it's by flexing the edges that you pop out the lens. Popping the lens out is much easier than replacing it with a new one, and you're likely to get finger prints all over your shades when trying. I'd probably choose to replace lenses at home before a ride, or at a caf stop, rather than during a ride itself, given the likelihood of fluffing the changeover and possibly dropping a lens. That said, it's perfectly possible to take all the lens options with you instead, and the hard case has small padded slots to hold them all safely.

The colour of the tinted lenses is ideal for sunny summertime riding, and with the option available for yellow lenses, these would also work for lower light conditions and winter use. Protection levels against UV are good, and the lenses are optically good quality too, with no distortion.

Verdict

Comfortable and effective on the bike, cool and stylish off the bike.