Big, obnoxious sunglasses that would make the cast of Ocean’s Eleven swoon. Yup, these kinds of shades remain all the rage and we’re all better for it. Tifosi got the memo and released their gigantic Sanctum XL Sunglasses for those who dare wear the largest sunglasses they have ever made. I hit the trails, road and everything in-between in these monster sunglasses and I’m digging almost everything about them.
Tifosi Sanctum XL Sunglasses Features:
- Lenses are 25% larger than the original Sanctum
- Scratch-resistant, shatterproof and lightweight polycarbonate lenses
- Optically decentered lenses for optimum vision
- Hydrophilic rubber nose pieces and grippy Tifosi Glide on temples
- Thrive Frame uses 100% plant-based material
- Made for large faces
- 100% UVA/UVB protection
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Weight: 31 grams
- MSRP: $39.95
Go big… or go big
It’s not always recommended to go bigger and better, but over the past few years, sunglasses have done just that — with bigger, bolder and more protective shades for the beach, the boat, on the bike or on the trails. And, with Tifosi’s wallet-friendly pricing, it’s now even easier to get those big gafas for your next adventure.
I’ll start with the frame material. Tifosi calls it “Thrive Frame,” which is a 100% plant-based material that’s also lightweight and durable. With huge polycarbonate lenses, my love for semi-rimmed or rimless sunglass designs goes (almost) out the window. Why? Well, because they are just so big that the frames themselves don’t matter. The next largest Tifosi full-frame sunglasses I’ve tested are the Sledge, but the Sanctum XL stands out because they aren’t cycling-specific and can be worn just about anywhere.
While the Sanctum XL looks more traditional, they still feature a huge shield lens design. That’s one of the beauties of this design and makes the field-of-vision way bigger than what you’d get with a traditional two-lens pair of sunglasses.
With their huge shield lens, the Sanctum XL are spectacular for both slow and high-speed pursuits. Again, these aren’t my typical cycling sunglasses, but I’ve been thrilled at their comfort and performance on both road and gravel adventures. The standard fit is also compatible with some of the most finicky helmets — Kask Elemento and anything else from the Italian brand.
Let’s talk about cycling first. For both road and gravel riding, the huge shield lenses provide a ton of protection. My eyes tend to water at speed with smaller frames and these monster lenses provide superb protection for my eyes. And, even more importantly, the my vision is unobstructed so I can keep my eyes on the road and any nuances coming my way at 40 mph. For gravel riding, the sticky nose pads and temples keep the Sanctum XL in place — no matter how rough the terrain.
For trail running and hiking, clarity at speed isn’t quite as important. However, clarity is also important when making that next step in technical terrain. Worn with a running cap, there’s not a whole lot of room between the top of the frame and the hat’s brim. A flatter brim hat is definitely preferred to the Patagonia Airshed Cap. The sweatier I got the more these stayed put. I’ve been really surprised by how well the nose pieces and temples stick to my noggin. Thankfully, they don’t put pressure on my head either and I can wear them for hours without any pinch-points.
I’ve been testing the matte white frame with smoke lenses featuring a pink tint. It’s definitely not the best lens for early morning adventures. I do prefer using them later in the morning as opposed to my typical dawn raids. And, the white frames look spectacular, but do have some stains on them after months of use. Additionally, while these lenses are huge and offer a ton of frontal protection, the far edges of the inside of the lenses reflects the terrain behind you under certain conditions. It’s almost like having outside mirrors in a car.
Buy Now: Visit TifosiOptics.com
The Bottom Line
Go Big
No matter where or how you choose to rock the Tifosi Sanctum XL sunnies, you’ll love brining bold, oversized style to your next adventure. With a wallet-friendly price, it’s hard to beat the price-to-performance ratio. Featuring lenses 25% larger than the original Sanctum, they offer exceptional coverage, clarity and eye protection for both cycling and trail use. The plant-based Thrive Frame keeps them lightweight and comfortable, while hydrophilic nose and temple grips ensure they stay put. Though not ideal for low-light rides, their comfort, visibility and big personality make them a standout choice for riders who embrace go-big sunnies.
The Good:
- Killer field-of-vision
- Stay put — even in rough terrain
- Modern,
- Outstanding value
- Locking temples make them easy to take on/off
The Bad:
- Lenses are a little dark on early mornings
- Outside edges of the inside of the lenses can reflect terrain behind you
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Optical Clarity
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Durability
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Fit
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Field-of-Vision
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Style
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Value