Tifosi Aethon and Slice Sunglasses Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Aethon

Hot

• Vented lens for increased airflow and reduced fogging
• Interchangeable lenses for different light conditions
• Hydrophilic rubber brow, nose and ear pieces keep glasses from slipping
• Adjustable ear and nose pieces add to comfort
• Removable brow bar for weight and style change
• 100% UV protection
• Polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and scratch-resistant
• Hard-shell zipper case and dual bag/cleaning cloth included
• Rear-view mirror fits on arm/temple
• Affordable price point

Not

• Lower strike guard was distracting for me

Slice

Hot

• Light weight @ 29 grams
• Adjustable ear and nose pieces add to comfort
• Interchangeable lenses for different light conditions
• Hydrophilic rubber nose and ear pieces keep glasses from slipping
• Wraparound, wide shield lens provides wide field of vision and ideal for contact wears
• Interchangeable lenses for different light conditions
• Polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and scratch-resistant
• 100% UV protection
• Hard-shell zipper case and dual bag/cleaning cloth included
• Rear-view mirror fits on arm/temple
• Affordable price point

Not

• No ventilation holes

Cost: Aethon ($69.95 – $ 79.95); Slice ($49.95 – $79.95)

Lenses: Comes with 3 interchangeable lenses except Fototec and Enlive models

Colors:

Aethon: Matte Black, Crystal Blue, White/Black, Crystal Smoke/White

Slice: Crystal Smoke, Black/White, Matte White, Crystal Black

How Obtained: Company sample

Available: Retail and online

RBR Sponsor: No

Weight: Aethon (36g,33g without brow piece); Slice (29 g)

Fit: Aethon (M, L, XL); Slice (S, M)

Material: Grimalid TR-90 frames

New Designs, High Performance, Affordably Priced

Tifosi Optics is known for their affordable, quality sunglasses and you can find them at most local bike shops or online. Earlier this year Tifosi released the Aethon and in August they introduced a smaller version called Slice.

Features Common to Both Aethon and Slice Models

Both the Aethon and Slice frames are made from Grimalid TR-90, a light weight, bendable material that is highly resistant to chemical and UV damage. They both have adjustable ear and nose pieces for a customizable and comfortable fit. The hydrophilic rubber nose and ear pieces (and Aethon’s brow piece) prevent slipping even in the sweatiest of conditions.

Each model comes in different flavors, some with 3 interchangeable lenses. The polycarbonate lenses provide 100% UV protection, glare guard coating to reduce eye strain, scratch-resistant and are shatterproof.

I found it fast and easy to switch lenses on both the Aethon and Slice. With the Aethon you remove the brow, arms and lower strike guard/nose piece to swap lenses. On the Slice you just remove the arms and nose piece.

Both models come with a hard-shell zippered storage case with slots for extra lenses and a cleaning cloth that doubles as a storage bag.

A rear-view mirror fits on the arm of both models. However, due to the arm thickness, the mirror arm must be bendable (metal not plastic).

What’s Unique to Aethon?

The Aethon is bigger than the Slice and fits medium, large and x-large faces. It also comes with a removable brow piece. The brow piece easily snaps off to give a different style to the sunglasses (two models in one) and make the frame slightly lighter. According to my gram scale, 36g with the brow piece and 33g without.

Along the bottom of the sunglasses is a strike guard. I’m assuming it is called that because it will protect your face from getting cut in a crash. It covers the bottom part of the lens which when unprotected can be sharp and cut your face. While I like the added safety and the stylish look, I was distracted by the guard as it was visible in my lower field of vision. I’d prefer the thickness of the guard be reduced, which should solve the problem.

The large wraparound lens kept dust and debris out of my eyes, which is important when wearing contacts. Having two large vents at the brow line helped with airflow and kept the sunglasses from fogging.

Unique features of the Slice Model

Slice is a smaller and lighter version of the Aethon model. The shield lens is smaller, and it does not have a brow bar, strike guard or vents. The Slice is available as several different setups. One style comes with a Fototec lens that darkens as the day gets brighter or lightens as day turns into night. Another has the Enlive lens (and the lowest price point of $49.95). The other style is an interchangeable model with 3 lens options to handle a variety of environments, if you want all the options to change between.

The Crystal Black frame comes with Tifosi’s new Enliven lens and was the lens I tested. The Enliven lens uses “color capture technology” to fine tune the wavelengths of light; making greens, blues and reds pop with definition. While testing, I found there was better contrast with the Enliven lens, but on bright sunny days too much light came through making me squint. 

Bottom Line

Both Tifosi’s Aethon and Slice sunglasses come at an affordable price point and performed well. They are light weight, comfortable and durable. Depending on the size of your face and the desired style, you can’t go wrong with either pair.