Sunglasses...Just Cool or Necessary Protection?

Dirt bike riders all know the importance of eye protection when riding, that's why we wear goggles.  Most of us also know the importance of protecting our eyes when just sitting around the pits or anytime we are in bright sunlight. We decided to take a look at sunglasses. Is there a difference between the cheap drug store varitey and the top of the line brands? Besides just looking cool what should we expect from our sunglasses? Over the next few weeks we'll take a look at a few different models.

First let's take a brand I was sure was Italian but upon looking closer I found a real American success story. I was very surprised to find over 200 different models when I found this company. Check out this history and watch for our reports on specific models.

We are Tifosi.

Tifosi is the Italian word referring to a super-fan, an enthusiast, and that is exactly who we are and who we make our eyewear for. Our mission is to provide technically advanced eyewear to enthusiasts of all sports and outdoor activities. We design test and torture our product to enhance your sport whether you’re running a 5k, riding your first century or playing 18 holes on Sunday. Tifosi defines us; we are enthusiasts about our product, our sport, and our fun.

 

Tifosi Turns Ten – A Brief History

2013 is a big year for Tifosi. Back on April 8, 2003, the very first sunglass order was shipped from Tifosi headquarters in Watkinsville, GA to Liberty Bicycles in Asheville, NC. Still based in Watkinsville, Tifosi has since grown into a global sport optics company; designing, manufacturing, and distributing to over 5000 retailers in more than 38 countries.

Tifosi Optics, Inc. was formed after co-founders Joe and Elizabeth Earley identified a need for a high quality, value-oriented eyewear brand in the cycling industry. Originally looking for an additional line to sell, Joe, an independent sales rep, noticed that existing sports eyewear brands fell into two categories: limited features and a low price, or fully-loaded features and technology with a high price tag.

Opportunity! Joe saw a need in the market for a sunglass brand that would suit the needs of both small and large retailers from a turns & margin standpoint, and would also provide value to consumers looking for high-quality sports optics.

By April 2003, Tifosi had grown from concept to company with the Earleys, one full-time account manager and a small outside sales force. On April 8, 2003, the first order was shipped from Tifosi’s headquarters in Watkinsville, Ga. Within 10 years, the Tifosi product offering has expanded from 21 styles to over 200, and beyond cycling to include sport-specific eyewear for running, golf, outdoor, and more.

From the beginning, Tifosi’s growth plan has been centered around three main components: continue to produce proprietary designs with quality optics, maintain a high level of customer service through a dedicated inside account management team and become the first choice for retailers looking for an eyewear brand with fast turns and aggressive margins. This strategy has worked as, according to the most recent Leisure Trends reports, Tifosi is now the #1 selling eyewear brand in independent bicycle and running shops across the U.S.A.*

Tifosi backs its products with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defect**. Tifosi sunglasses are sold at over 5,000 retail and e-tail locations in over 38 countries.