Packable Panama

[byronic]

Summer is on its way (or so the weathermen keep telling us), so I'm mulling over buying my first ever Panama, but could use a few pointers: I travel a lot, so would prefer something that is packable/crushable/rollable.
Also I would prefer something 'Fair Trade', or whatever the phrase is, that is a hat that is made by workers who have been fairly renumerated for their efforts. And of course, it must be in a Fedora style.
All advice welcome.

 

[Rick Blaine]

Summer is on its way (or so the weathermen keep telling us), so I'm mulling over buying my first ever Panama, but could use a few pointers: I travel a lot, so would prefer something that is packable/crushable/rollable.
Also I would prefer something 'Fair Trade', or whatever the phrase is, that is a hat that is made by workers who have been fairly renumerated for their efforts. And of course, it must be in a Fedora style.
All advice welcome.

One from Hammacher Schlemmer.

One from Travelsmith.

And a few from old Blighty

 

[Chainsaw]

Quike question RBlain, are all Panamas rollable? And if not how can one tell? thank you for your time.

 

[byronic]

Thanks RBlain. I am spoilt for choice now, but the Hammacher & Schlemmer is my favourite for the time being.

 

[Not-Bogart13]

Quike question RBlain, are all Panamas rollable? And if not how can one tell? thank you for your time.

I know you asked Blaine, but... no, they are not. Always be sure they are described as rollable or packable.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thanks Bogart, I'm still confused about the Panama's. Funny thing, my buddy from Ecuador hasn't even heard of the hat before. Just to add to the confusion.

 

[Pilgrim]

Even if they are described as rollable, you WILL reduce their service life by rolling them. Fibers can only stand being flexed so many times - and rolling is hard on them. The more you roll them, the sooner they will crack.

Personally, I have three Panamas from PanamaBob and am quite happy with them.

 

[Rick Blaine]

A tough nut to crack, indeed...

>Even if they are described as rollable, you WILL reduce their service life by rolling them. Fibers can only stand being flexed so many times - and rolling is hard on them.<

Quite right. The other alternative is a polypropene straw. Many here swear by them.

Orvis
Orvis II
VHS
Eddie Bauer
Riverz Safari
Travelsmith again


See also: Former thread & here

 

[byronic]

Even if they are described as rollable, you WILL reduce their service life by rolling them. Fibers can only stand being flexed so many times - and rolling is hard on them. The more you roll them, the sooner they will crack.

Personally, I have three Panamas from PanamaBob and am quite happy with them.

PanamaBob's hats are ethically produced are they not? But are any of them Rollable? I do not know his details/website, etc. Just that i seem to remember reading that about his hats here a long time ago.

 

[carouselvic]

PanamaBob's hats are ethically produced are they not? But are any of them Rollable? I do not know his details/website, etc. Just that i seem to remember reading that about his hats here a long time ago.

http://www.panamas.biz/

 

[Tomasso]

are all Panamas rollable? And if not how can one tell?

I've never seen a rollable with a leather sweatband; they've all had one made of cloth.

 

[byronic]

http://www.panamas.biz/

Many thanks for that :cheers1: