Thread: Best for the price Panama hat?

I went to an out door meeeting yesterday sportng my very fashionable Black Bosalino...It was approx 300 degrees out side and I was cooking...i decide to invest in panama hat for the summer, nothing fancy just a fedora that can be worn with business attire and church. Anyone know reputable company that won'y break the bank?

There are lots of Panama Hat pretenders, in addition there are two true versions and no uniform quality grading system.

While I wouldn't pay his prices, you can get a good education from Brent Black's site, Panama Hat Company of the Pacific and also Panama Bob's web site.

The Panama Hat business is a real confusing minefield, but it all depends what you want and how much you can spend.

panama hats, panama hat
http://www.panamabob.com/

I recommend two, a Cuenca for casual wear, and a very nice Montechristi when you're sporting your searsucker suit and spectators!

I haved looked at the panama hats, panama hat they seem prety reasonable. Anyone have one?

I have hats from both vendors I listed and am very happy with my purchases. My nicest Montechristi was from Panama Bob and I had Art Fawcett from VS Custom Hats rebash it for me last winter.

VS Custom Hats

Originally Posted by Wintchase

I haved looked at the panama hats, panama hat they seem prety reasonable. Anyone have one?

I own two hats from Panama Hats Direct. Very pleased with both. Good quality for a reasonable price.

I have a Dobbs Panama Hat that I purchased from Miller Hats in Houston. They can be ordered online at Mens Hats . I also have a Stetson Panama Hat that I purchased in New Orleans. I like them both very much. It is way too hot in Houston to wear a felt in the summer.

I own some pretty pricey lids, but when it came to panama straw...I was talked out of it. I bought instead an Italian Creazioni L. & G. Tesi, Sisol (lots of names inside) from J.J. Hat Center in NY. Get compliments all of the time...and for about $120 was much less than a good panama (seen some less expensive that I wouldnt buy).

If you check JJ hat center's site look into the Borsalino Fibre Di Carta (forget the name of the hat); smaller contmporary styling; crushproof, colors, expensive buy way cool (in all senses). j

I bought both a Cuenca and what the call a super fino from Panama Hats direct.
The Cuenca is ok, but the Montecristi is awesome, you will have to do some re shaping of the brim but it's easy. Hat is soft and supple. Hat like that on Brent Blacks site would be at least a grand or more. I live in Arizona so it's a must.

Originally Posted by chipvj

I bought both a Cuenca and what the call a super fino from Panama Hats direct.
The Cuenca is ok, but the Montecristi is awesome, you will have to do some re shaping of the brim but it's easy. Hat is soft and supple. Hat like that on Brent Blacks site would be at least a grand or more. I live in Arizona so it's a must.

Hello, just arrived here, via Google
I have been researching Panamas for wearing in hot Spanish Summers (40C and more)
Brent Black certainly talks the talk and does not display any false modesty! However, his prices put me off, and I imagine his mark-ups are considerably steeper than, for example, Panama Hats Direct. For a start, he's in Hawaii and they are in Ecuador, where the hats are made. I have to admit, though, that his site is very educational, if one ignores the constant (and, IMO, rather tedious) self-promotion.
Anyway, as a starter I have ordered a Montecristi from PHD and it has just shipped, so in a few weeks, I'll be able to apply directly my research findings on 'How to spot a good Panama', and then test-run the hat for myself.
I don't know how much a good-quality straight razor costs ....I'm too cowardly and lazy to try one! However, I would be surprised if one could get a very nice Montecristi Panama for the same amount ....but you could get a really good one for about the same price as, say, a Montblanc 149 fountain pen (something I do know a bit about!).

PS: I just looked at some prices for straight razors, and am surprised how relatively inexpensive they are