When it comes to performance eyewear that won’t torch your wallet, Tifosi Optics has long been a go-to for cyclists in the know. Their latest Navar and Navar FC (“Full Coverage”) models promise multi-sport versatility, sharp optics, and all-day comfort — but what really separates the two? We put both half-frame contenders side-by-side to see whether bigger, taller, or sleeker is better.
Left: Navar FC. Right: Navar.
The Navar and Navar FC (aka, “full coverage”) are the latest and greatest from Tifosi. In many ways, they’re essentially the same sunglasses in two different sizes. They are both half-frame sunglasses with lens venting for airflow and to help prevent fogging up.
NOTE: The lens shapes are actually different and these are a single lens design, i.e., you can’t swap out lenses for a different tint.
Honestly, just looking at them side-by-side, it was hard for me to say if one lens is larger than the other — meaning, how is the FC more “full coverage” than the regular Navar. The Navar lens is wider but the Navar FC lens is taller.
Chuck Sez: “It might be an optical illusion of sorts, but to me the Navar looks larger and the Navar FC looks sleeker.”
Here are the lens dimensions for you dear PEZ reader to be the judge:
Left: Navar. Right: Navar FC.
Features-wise, both are the same:
The Navar is pictured, but the Navar FC has all the same features
Two styles, two colorway selections
The Navar comes in five different colorways:
- Midnight Vapor Frame – Smoke Tint with Sky Blue Mirror (what PEZ got)
- Gloss Black Frame – Smoke Tint
- Satin Clear Frame – Brown Tint with Pink Mirror
- Matte White Frame – Smoke Tint with Bright Blue Mirror
- Satin Vapor Frame – AC Red Tint
Tifosi Navar
The Navar FC also comes in five different colorways:
- Gloss Black Frame – AC Red Tint
- Satin Clear Frame – Clear Lens
- Blackout Frame – Smoke Tint
- Satin Vapor Frame – Smoke Tint with Red Mirror (what PEZ got)
- Iron Frame – Enliven Golf Tint
Tifosi Navar FC
The Navar and Navar FC aren’t cycling-specific sunglasses. Rather, they are multi-sport sunglasses that could be used for cycling. Style-wise, neither would look out of place on your favorite group ride. Functionally, they do what you would want a pair of sunglasses to do while out riding:
- Appropriate tinting to provide 100% UVA / UVB protection from harmful UV Rays
- Polycarbonate lenses that are virtually shatterproof
- Plus the lenses are optically decentered for clear optics (the most important thing)
On my scale, both the Navar and Navar FC weighed in at one gram over spec
If the stock selection isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, both the Navar and Navar FC can be customized to suit your taste:
The bottom line
I know that taste and style are in the eye of the beholder, but I prefer the somewhat “sleeker” look of the Navar FC both on and off the bike, e.g., playing golf. OTOH, my wife has decided to steal the Navar away from me for her sporting pursuits. Regardless of style preference, both of these multi-sport glasses look as at home on the local group ride as they do on the links, or doing whatever it is you do when you’re not riding, e.g., sipping Negronis.
To FC (left) or not to FC (right), … that is the (Navar) question
• PEZ-Fans can buy Tifosi navar glasses here – and PEZ receives a small affiliate commission to help run the site.
The post Tifosi Navar and Navar FC Sunglasses Review appeared first on PezCycling News.
