Tifosi Swank XL Polarized Sunglasses Review

Hitting the outdoors in Utah always calls for some eye ware protection. Whether I am hitting the southern desert trails or enjoying the snow covered mountains there is always one must need piece of gear and that is SUNGLASSES! I have been putting the Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses to the test while doing a bit of snow exploring in Utah’s Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and let’s just say they have become my new daily grabs.

Sturdy Shades

I have gone through several pairs of sunglasses, and from the second you remove the packaging and open up the ear frame pieces, you instantly know you have a sturdy pair of shades. I appreciated the stiff hinges as I have lost several pairs of glasses from them falling off my head from a quick head turn, these stayed put even with some added 10 mph wind. This along with the glasses hydrophilic rubber nose pads made it, so I wasn’t constantly needing to readjust the position of the glasses while out playing in the snow.

This is an even bigger issue during those summer days, but this is where the Tifosi Swank XL Polarized Sunglasses put themselves on another level than other active wear sunglasses that I have purchased.

Lens

When it comes to the lenses and frame you can’t really ask for better. The 100% UVA/UVB Polycarbonate Glare Guarded lens give a warm tint to your eyes and truly help with any eye strain from those sunrays. I’ve only had the opportunity to test them in the snowy mountains, so I am not sure what a true sunny day would be like, but I can say they get the job done when it comes to that reflecting snow.

Being that these lenses are scratch-resistant and shatterproof, this paired with Tifosi’s Grilamid TR-90 Frames make it both lightweight, coming in at right under 1 oz., and durable. I wasn’t afraid to stash these in my pocket while skiing down the mountain, even with one or two tumbles not a scratch or bend in them. One thing I will note, the left lens has the Tifosi branding on the top right corner which can be seen while wearing. While I didn’t notice it the entire time I wore them, my eye does catch a glimpse of it every now and then.

Tifosi Swank XL Polarized Sunglasses Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Sturdy and durable design
• Polarized lenses reduce eye strain
• Affordable price for quality sunglasses

Cons:

• Visible branding on left lens
• May need occasional readjustment

Overall Impression

After a couple weeks of wearing them I can say that overall these glasses feel long-lasting and protect my eyes enough that I am not struggling to keep my eyes open. I find them to do a better job than most of my other active wear sunglasses that come in right around the same price ($55). For the affordable price these glasses are worth every dollar not only for the polarized lenses, but for their durable quality frames and unique technology.

If you are someone who frequents the outdoors and struggles to find a pair of glasses that can withstand the outdoor elements and all of sweat that comes with it or even if you just need a new pair of driving sunglasses, the Tifosi Swank XL Sunglasses ($54.95) are a great option at a great price point.

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3. Hobie Baja Sunglasses Review

Our guides and gear testers have narrowed down the field—see the final list in our Best Sunglasses for the Mountains Review.