My Take on Tifosi Optics Rivet Glasses

If you have ever been hit in the eye with a pickleball, you know it can be pretty scary. Getting hit anywhere else on the body can be momentarily painful (or embarrassing, when your buddy is gloating after whacking you with a disguised speed-up shot). However, the eye is uniquely susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way a couple of years ago when a ball ricocheted off my paddle and hit me squarely in my unprotected eye, tearing my iris apart and causing my pupil to be permanently dilated. The loss of vision and drastically increased light sensitivity hasn’t been much fun. It’s a good thing my other eye has taken over and done the heavy lifting ever since.

So now that I might have scared you into always playing with protective eyewear, what are your options. In sunny climates, good old sunglasses usually do the trick. I use lightly tinted ones on partly cloudy days and darker lenses for bright days. 

The main issue I have had is finding good clear lensed glasses for cloudy days or at twilight (when I had just removed my sunglasses before getting hit because I couldn’t see the ball well enough). I have had trouble with distortion from the lenses, distraction and discomfort from the bulky frames, and fogging due to humidity and sweat. After trying a multitude of models, I was pleased to find Tifosi Rivet glasses from Tifosi Optics.

They are lightweight, distortion free and didn’t fog up during my three hour match yesterday. As opposed to my usual experience, I almost forgot I was wearing them. And I think that’s the highest compliment you can pay to a pair of glasses. The Rivet model is frameless on the sides and bottom, so you don’t lose sight of the ball when it comes in low or from the side. The contact points at the nose and temples are soft and comfortable.

I don’t know how durable this model will be, but it does come with a hard case and seems sturdy enough. At a $50 price point, this model is midrange for some of the other brands I have tried. The Rivet is also available with a variety of tinted lenses. I’m pleased with my current sunglasses but would definitely consider looking into that option as well if the clear lens model I’m trying continues to perform over time.

No matter what brand you choose, please make sure to keep your precious eyes protected when you play. And the Tifosi Rivet model is a solid choice to help you play your best and safest pickleball.

Mike Branon is the bestselling author of Pickleball & The Art of Living. His latest book, The Joy of Pickleball, seeks to help older athletes play their best and experience the physical and emotional benefits that pickleball offers. He has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows around the country, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game. Mike has coached hundreds of novice and experienced players from age 8-80 -something. His books and instruction are dedicated to helping others live their best lives and to play better, healthier, and happier. Mike lives in Carlsbad, California with his wife, Diane, and designer mutt, Cabo. As a well traveled pickleball connoisseur, Mike will be writing about tips and strategy for those who are looking to improve their game. [email protected]