Panama Hat Thread

[meauxwalk]

Hi! First time poster. My dad got me hooked on hats and I am looking to make my first panama hat purchase. I'd like to get a good quality hat in the 150$ range, but would like some educated opinions. I've read about Cuenca and Montecristi, Llano and Brisa, and my head is swimming.

I've been eyeing PanamaBob's Cuenca Cuencano style grade 20 Llano weave, as well as the Montecristi Cuencano style grade 16. What would the pros and cons be of getting one over the other? What is the crown height and brim width (it's not listed on the site)--is that something that you customize when you order the hat?

Thanks for helping a newbie out!

Melissa

 

[new2hats]

Hi! First time poster. My dad got me hooked on hats and I am looking to make my first panama hat purchase. I'd like to get a good quality hat in the 150$ range, but would like some educated opinions. I've read about Cuenca and Montecristi, Llano and Brisa, and my head is swimming.

I've been eyeing PanamaBob's Cuenca Cuencano style grade 20 Llano weave, as well as the Montecristi Cuencano style grade 16. What would the pros and cons be of getting one over the other? What is the crown height and brim width (it's not listed on the site)--is that something that you customize when you order the hat?

Thanks for helping a newbie out!

Melissa

No one has answered her yet?

I have tons of cuencas. I like Monticristi, to me they just seem sharper for some reason. The crown heights and brim lengths may all be different. It would be best to email Bob to specific what size you want, as you don't know what you'll get unless it is specified somewhere.

 

[BR Gordon]

I don't think that you could go wrong getting a montecristi from Panama Bob. If I were getting my first panama hat, I would get the best quality montecristi that I could afford. I have cuencas and montecristis, to me the cuenca is more of an everyday knock-around hat.

 

[wine65]

Fluteplayer,
A beautiful, elegant looking Montecristi wear in good health!
Steve

 

[Duper]

I have two Panama hats on order from Casey at Panamahatsdirect. Hopefully they will be in my hands late next week. I liked that Casey had photos of the actual hat you would purchase on his website and they are ready to ship immediately. I have one from Bob I like very much, one from Casey I enjoy wearing as well and one from Panador hats. The Panador it really a hat from Christt's they have rebadged, but it has a great weave and a nice wide brim for those burning hot sunny summer days.

One of the two hats ordered is an Optimo style and the other is a Havana. I have never tried an Optimo. Not sure how it will look on me. Ahh anticipation.

We are lucky to have so many options for hats. I just wish I could walk I to a local store and try on a quality hat. That option still alludes me.

 

[new2hats]

Awesome. Just saw the website on hats direct. How can you be sure it's the same hat though?

Have some panador hats, they're okay. Still like Bob's hats better, esp the ones without stiffener. Haven't tried directs. Maybe I will!

Wish there were hat retailers to see the exact hat, think it eludes most of us...

 

[Duper]

The Panama I have from Bob is the softest of the three I own so far. As for the Panamahatsdirect site I am expecting it to be the pictured hat as each image has a stock number like -126 and when I completed my order a short while after the hats I picked were no longer displayed on the site. The quantity number for the style and brim size was also reduced. I spoke to Casey and William on the phone to iron out a few details and now it is up to the post office to do the rest.

 

[carouselvic]

Mid-50's Royal DeLuxe

 

[mikespens]

Stunning Stetson Vic

 

[DJH]

VS Semi Colado.

More pics in the VS Hall of Fame

 

[carouselvic]

very nice

 

[wine65]

DJH
Wonderful semi-calado, enjoy!

 

[Gregorian]

One beautiful Panama.
Love the color of the pug!

 

[DJH]

very nice

DJH
Wonderful semi-calado, enjoy!

Thanks, Guys!

 

[Tomasso]

DJH
Wonderful semi-calado, enjoy!

Ditto!

 

[mikespens]

Fantastic Colado David. Glad you didn't go with a standard black/blue ribbon too, great ribbon treatment from Art. Bet it gets a lot of noggin time.

 

[Duper]

My recent purchases from Casey at Panamahatsdirect. Overall I am pleased with the purchases.


The Havana model has a nice weave.

The Optimo is very stiff. Cookie or potato chip stiff. Definately not a "folder" but still nice at the price.

 

[DJH]

Thanks, Mike and AC.

Mike, I was planning on getting the usual black ribbon until I saw this one on one of Art's new line of hats. Glad I did!

Duper, of the two new ones, I like the Havana.

 

[Duper]

Thanks DJH, that semi colado is just beautiful. I really like how you spoke up and said you prefer the Havana over the Optimo. It is nice to hear an opinion rate than just a complement or an acknowledgement. I also prefer the Havana. I was hoping for something rollable but unfortunately the Optimo is a hard hat I could wear at a construction site.

 

[DJH]

Hmm, it does say on Casey's website that the Optimo is rollable - maybe you have to run it over with a truck a few times first?