For most riders, cycling sunglasses are a mere accessory and an extension of their style. Maybe you're rocking the bold, 80s-inspired flair of Pit Vipers, classic Oakleys or the armless Ombraz with their timeless charm. But for me, sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement—they’re a medical necessity. After sustaining eye damage, my doctor made it clear: eye protection on every ride, no exception.
I live with a rather painful eye condition called Recurrent Corneal Erosion (RCE), in which the outermost layer of the cornea is coming loose. Every night, when my eyes are closed, my body tries to reattach the loosening layer, but every morning, when I open my eyelids, the layer is detached once again—like opening a scab over and over again. Wind, dry air, and dust worsen the condition, which is why protecting my eyes on the bike is so important.
Whether you have an eye condition or not, cycling sunglasses are one of the smartest investments you can make. Beyond the style points, they’re there to protect—shielding your eyes from harmful UV rays, debris and strain while enhancing your visibility on the road.
I have to wear sunglasses on every single ride, whether the sun has been hiding behind grey skies for days or it's pitch black out. This means I have many different glasses and lenses for all weather conditions, as well as different types of riding and night rides. But since I started using Tifosi’s Rail XC sunglasses nearly two years ago, most other sunglasses are now gathering dust as I reach for the Tifosis day in and day out.
The Tifosi Rail XC sunglasses have all the features one has come to expect of a quality pair of cycling sunglasses: a bendable nose pad and arms for a customized fit, good airflow to prevent lens fog, a rim-free lens for a clear field of vision, and a lightweight 31-gram package. They also have the added benefit of a photochromic lens.
To clarify, the Tifosi Rail XC sunglasses come in two versions: one with interchangeable lenses and another with a single “Fototec” lens. It’s the Fototec lens that has become my absolute go-to—on the sunniest and greyest days alike. The photochromic lens gently adjusts to changing light conditions. In limited light, the lenses are pretty clear – not quite clear enough for night rides but good for even the greyest of wet days or into dusk. In full sun, the lenses darken significantly and look like any other dark-blue mirrored lenses.
The transition is gradual and only noticeable when you’re not squinting into the gleaming light. Yet, according to Tifosi, the light transmission range is impressively broad, ranging from 14% to 74%. This means that I haven’t had to swap lenses all year. Clearer lenses are only needed at night rides.
And while you may not be making any bold fashion statements with the Rail XC’s clear arms and non-oversized lens, I do think the sunglasses look good, go with just about every kit or helmet, and, most importantly, provide good protection.
Discounted to just over $60 for Black Friday, you'd be hard-pressed to find sunglasses this durable and high-performing at such an affordable price.
If you're on the hunt for new cycling sunglasses, be sure to also flip through our Sunglasses Buyer's Guide for the best 16 pairs of sunglasses we've tested.
