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Tifosi Sledge Lite – The Radar EV and Sutro Lite Killer

Tifosi Sledge Lite

Over the last few years, Tifosi has been releasing some new models following many of the current trends of large sunglasses. One of the first models to embrace the bigger is better trend was the Sledge, a full frame shield design that measures almost 57mm tall. Early in 2021, the brand launched the Sledge Lite, a half-frame version with a 58mm tall shield lens. We had a chance to test out the Sledge Lite, but how does it stack up to a heavyweight like the Oakley Radar EV?

The Sledge Lite comes with multiple lenses and a case to store them all.

Our sample was the Crystal Pink Interchange version. It features a translucent pink frame with white backing, white accents, and white temple rubbers. It comes with three lenses, the darkest being a mirrored Clarion Blue (grey base and 13% transmission), the All Conditions (AC) Red (red base with 39% transmission), and clear (90% transmission). We also picked up a Clarion Yellow (grey base and 11% transmission) to test. The kit comes with a carrying case that houses all of the lenses and frame when not in use, and a microfiber cleaning bag. Other stock colors available are smoke with blue accents and blue Clarion lens, a stealthy matte black with silver icons and smoke lens, matte white with black accents and smoke lens, midnight navy with yellow Clarion lens, and matte black with silver icons and red Clarion photochromatic lens.

The frame uses Grilamid TR-90 thermoplastic, a material that has become a staple in the sunglass market. It’s a durable, transparent material that is resistant to cracks and can be colored in any way that you’d want. The lenses are shatterproof polycarbonate with vents along the top to help prevent fogging. The nose and temples are also adjustable to help dial in that perfect fit.

The Sledge Lite works well with straps and retention systems.

On the road, The Sledge Lite feels light and comfortable. The adjustable temples and nose allow enough adjustability to fit a range of head and nose shapes, and work well with helmet straps and retention systems. Pairing them with my Specialized S-Works Evade II or ABUS GameChanger was never a problem, and fit well. They even stowed nicely in the vents on prolonged climbs or after my ride.

The nose piece is adjustable and swaps between lenses when you switch.

Swapping the lens was also fairly easy. To remove, simply pull down and pop it out of the frame. The nose piece is separate and is a little harder to get off, mainly because of its size. I found that I could grab on and start to twist it in one direction, and it would pop off. To reinstall, get the two corners of the lens hooked into the frame, and press them up into the groove. Same with the nose piece, line it up and press up.

As I mentioned before in the Rail and Swank XL reviews, Tifosi has really upped its game with its latest releases. Like the others, the Sledge Lite has a more premium feel than its price tag would make you think. They feel solid on the head, and all of the lens options were all crystal clear.

The deep lenses provide plenty of clear coverage.

To give a comparison, the Sledge Lite sits somewhere between the Radar EV and the Sutro Lite. The form factor is closer to the Radar EV, but the lens height is more Sutro Lite, which for me, is a winning combo. Fit and comfort remind me of the Radar EV, but the problem I’ve always had with that model is the lens is too short, even with the Pitch lens, which is only 50.5mm tall.  The Sutro Lite on the other hand matches the Sledge Lite at 58mm tall. And while I like the Sutro family, there are times that I want a little bit more of an athletic frame with a firmer hold. There’s also that price tag. The Oakleys start at $184 for the Sutro Lite and $211 for the Radar EV. Keep in mind, that’s also for a single lens. Tifosi crushes both, coming in at $79.95 with three lenses, or the same price for their Clairon Red Photochromatic, one of my favorite lenses from the brand.

We have one more review on tap, but this year has been a very interesting one for me with Tifosi. Before, I would have categorized them as cheap sunglasses that just didn’t stack up. Now, after a season of riding the Rail, Sledge Lite, Swank XL(RX), and wearing the Sizzle for casual, and comparing them to their equivalent models from Oakley and other premium brands, it shows that Tifosi has upped their game to compete with the big names in sunglasses. Higher quality fit and feel, combined with clear optics and features like adjustable nose pieces and temples and multiple lenses, you have a winning combination at a price that other brands just can’t compete with. As the road season starts to come to a close, I find myself reaching for my Rails and Sledge Lites more and more.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2023 Tifosi.

www.tifosioptics.com

Tags: black, Clarion, cleaning, Grilamid, helmet, light, Oakley, Polycarbonate, Radar EV, Red, review, road, Sledge Lite, Specialized, sunglasses, Sutro Lite, Tifosi, TR-90, white
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