Tifosi Sanctum Sunglasses Review

If you’re on the search for a new pair of sports sunglasses on a budget, Tifosi has you covered. Every year, they drop new designs and release style updates to their best-selling models.  The Sanctum is a new model for 2024 and boasts large, shield-style lenses mated to oversized, traditional frames. While they aren’t as performance-oriented as other models, the Sanctum offers style and versatility in a $35 package.

Tifosi Sanctum Sunglasses Features:

• Polycarbonate lenses with UVA/UVB protection
• Optically-decentered lens eliminates distortion
• Hydrophilic nose pieces
• Matte finish for added grip on inside of temple tips
• Hidden hinges that won’t pull hair
• Thrive frame uses durable, plant-based material
• Size: medium-large
• Weight: 26 grams
• MSRP: $34.95

Stylish, sporty shades for life’s adventures

I believe the all-new Sanctum delivers a bold statement from the front. That unified lens mated to a traditional shape takes a classic design to a modern level. As usual, Tifosi has also made these as versatile as possible by adding hydrophilic rubber and grippy temples to make sure they stay put no matter what the activity. There’s no denying the statement these make on the trails or wherever life takes you. While the Tifosi Rail remains one of my favorite cycling and trail running sunglasses, the Sanctum was put to the test on the local trails to see how they fared.

Slipping them on, it’s easy to tell how well the would stay put while trail running. The frames provided the proper spring to hold them secure without squeezing my noggin. And, the combination of rubber nose and matte finish on the inside of the temples do a great job with instant security. The lenses are large enough to provide excellent coverage, but don’t have much curvature to them for a more traditional shape.

As someone who suffers from dry eyes, I do prefer wearing sunglasses while running — even during early morning hours. The shape of the Sanctum does provide straight-on protection, but the lack of curve does allow airflow around the edges. Strangely, that airflow doesn’t do an ample job of eliminating fogging. The anti-fog capabilities are excellent while running, but tend to fog up in a hurry when stopped on a cold, humid morning. Once fogged, it can take a little longer than I’d like to unfog.

In general, I prefer semi-rimless lenses for cycling and running. Frames tend to give me tunnel vision and can interfere with critical vision at speed. Because of that, I think it’s great that most Sanctum frames are offered in clear or semi-transparent colors to help reduce frame interference. The Aqua Shimmer color I’m testing balances transparency with style very well. While I don’t like logos etched on lenses, the Tifosi logo in the upper-left is outside of my vision and don’t distract at all. Dodged a bullet there. 

The included Rose Mirror lenses offer clarity in a variety of conditions and even do okay on morning trail runs when the sun hasn’t completely cleared the Wasatch Mountains. In my experience, this color remains one of the most versatile lenses you can buy and works across a variety of landscapes and conditions.

Now, onto the actual trail experience. I’m stoked to say that the absolutely stay put on even the most technical trails. It’s astounding how secure they are even without rubberized temple tips. I’ve worn them extensively with both a lightweight beanie and the Patagonia Airshed Running Cap and they work well in either case. The curve of the hat’s bill rests atop the frames, but only slightly, and doesn’t put undo pressure on my nose. A flatter-brimmed hat would eliminate that issue altogether.

Tifosi’s decision to use straight temple tips with the Sanctum was a smart choice for me as they sit just perfectly on the side of my head without pressuring behind my ears. Having worn really expensive sunglasses and more affordable ones as well, Tifosi’s lenses offer excellent clarity along that spectrum. There’s no noticeable distortion on the fringes of vision, which often plagues cheap lenses. I have found them to be easily-cleaned and have remained scratch-free (an added bonus of full frame designs).

Buy Now: TifosiOptics.com