Tifosi Moab XC Review: Bigger, Lighter, and Still Under $90
Tifosi's new Moab XC sunglasses ditch the frame but add size. At $80, they're still the best budget cycling eyewear—if the fit works for you.
I have a deep rotation of sunglasses — some from brands that charge $200+, most of them I've received for free for review. But if I'm being honest, the pairs I grab most often cost $80 or less and come from Tifosi. The Tifosi Moab has been excellent for me, and now there's a frameless version called the Moab XC.
The "XC" label suggests lighter and leaner, but the specs tell a different story. The Moab XC is actually larger overall—0.6mm wider, nearly 1mm taller—even though the actual lens width shrank from 138mm to 130.8mm. Tifosi ditched the full frame, which drops claimed weight from 31g to 29g. But Steve's review of the original Moab clocked them at 34g, so expect the XC to land somewhere north of the claimed spec. Will you feel a gram or two? No. But the size change might matter if you've got a narrow face or prefer less coverage.
The frame is Grilamid TR-90, the lenses are polycarbonate (shatterproof, scratch-resistant), and the nose and ear pieces use hydrophilic rubber that grips better when wet. Three lens setups: a standard three-lens interchangeable kit, a Clarion lens (moisture-repellent coating), or a Fototec photochromic option. The Fototec version runs $89.95; everything else is $79.95.
Here's the catch: I haven't put miles on the Moab XC yet, so I can't tell you how the frameless design holds up to vibration or whether the larger footprint actually improves peripheral coverage. What I can say is that the original Moab punches well above its price point, and if the XC keeps that same build quality while cutting a few grams, it's still the recommendation I'd give anyone who doesn't want to spend $200 on eyewear that does the same job.
If you've been happy with the original Moab, the XC isn't a must-upgrade. But if you want a frameless look without the frameless price tag, this is the spec sheet that matters.
