Panama Hat Suggestions?

[eightysixCJ]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a good looking Panama hat. Well, actually I have been for a while but can't affort the beautiful tight weave $400+ hats I really want. Any tips for something quality and around/sub $100?

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Mick]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a good looking Panama hat. Well, actually I have been for a while but can't affort the beautiful tight weave $400+ hats I really want. Any tips for something quality and around/sub $100?

Thanks,

Tom

My friend in Ecuador picked SWMBO and myself up what he called "Every day hat" for around $35 as part of our 6 hat order a few weeks ago.

Not sure how good they are going to be once they get here but this is what they looked like at the hat factory in Cuenca when he went in and inspected our order before finalizing the purchase.

Pic of it next to SWMBO's wide brim 20/21 Fino Grade and my Fino Grade Montecristi 20/21. Compared to those it is a coarse woven hat but I was told the weavers can only weave 8-10 of the 20/21 grade hats a year and there are only a hand full of weavers who can weave hats that tightly

 

[Beerhunter]

@ Turtle
$35. Everyday hat? May I ask how easy for me to make this connection? Via website? I would love to get another one, a bit diffrent than what I already have. I really love the hat in pic #1 it's a wonderful looking hat.

 

[Mick]

@ Turtle
$35. Everyday hat? May I ask how easy for me to make this connection? Via website? I would love to get another one, a bit diffrent than what I already have. I really love the hat in pic #1 it's a wonderful looking hat.

This is the link to the hat factory's web site.

http://www.barrancospanamahats.com/

They do sell direct.

I have a customer who lives in Cuenca Ecuador who agreed to deal with the owner of the factory directly for me as I wanted to get 6 hats and wanted them custom made, not off the rack ones.

I do not know which hat on their site that "every day hat" was as it was an "add on" by him as I sent him too much $$$ and he graciously purchased 2 more hats for my wife and myself with that overage. He called it an every day hat so I don't know which one he got us as the order has not arrived here yet.

I posted some pics of the hat factory in another thread about hats last week

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ne-likes-amp-recommends?p=5141994#post5141994

 

[Beerhunter]

Thank you turtle It's late so I will check it all out in the am.Thanks and as always cheers

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

in my opinion, you have of the finest sources in your very own back yard. Robert Weber from Indiana. panama.biz I have been buying from Bob for over ten years. He also has a ebay store. His wife's brother is the connection in Ecuador. You will be very well satisfied with Mr Weber....he teaches school during the day, so he may only answer his phone in the evening.

 

[Mick]

in my opinion, you have of the finest sources in your very own back yard. Robert Weber from Indiana. panama.biz I have been buying from Bob for over ten years. He also has a ebay store. His wife's brother is the connection in Ecuador. You will be very well satisfied with Mr Weber....he teaches school during the day, so he may only answer his phone in the evening.

Excellent advice.

If you can find these in the US you are far better off than trying to import them yourself.

Let someone else take are of all the hassles and just enjoy the hats!!!

 

[dparish1952]

+ for Robert Weber (aka Panama Bob)

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

Robert just contacted me today...he may become one of our own vendors here....

 

[Mick]

My 7 hats arrived today from the factory.... sweet

Already worn the Fedora on my walk. Very nice

 

[Mick]

Robert just contacted me today...he may become one of our own vendors here....

I would be interested in working with him for future hats if he becomes a B&B vendor.

I can't impose on my customer to do another direct purchase for me so having a B&B haberdasher would be the next best thing

 

[panamabob]

I'm a vendor now. Let me work my way through the rules and make sure I do things correctly.

 

[Mick]

I'm a vendor now. Let me work my way through the rules and make sure I do things correctly.

Welcome to B&B...

Look forward to talking "hats" with you once you get settled in

 

[dparish1952]

@Panamabob. Awesome!

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I'm a vendor now. Let me work my way through the rules and make sure I do things correctly.

Welcome aboard...it is great to have you here.....

yes...the rules...the rules....good luck with that...

 

[Leatherneck]

I'm a vendor now. Let me work my way through the rules and make sure I do things correctly.

Welcome, Bob! I met Bob a few years ago in Ft. Wayne and he was very patient with all my questions. Bob, you were thinking of going back to Ecuador at the time. Glad you're still in the area. We'll be talking!

 

[Dantheman]

Panama Bob, are you all signed up as a vendor now? How do we find out more about your hats. Looks good.

 

[Alacrity59]

Wow. Nice to see another quality vendor arrive. I'm going to seem a stereotype of a Canuck but all the hats I have are toques and free giveaway baseball caps. Maybe I need a proper lid for the summer.

 

[applevalleyjoe]

It all depends on the tightness of the weave; number of imperfections; model that you want; and the size of the brim. I got a custom SUPERFINO with a 3.5" brim on sale direct from Ecuador for about $150. You are going to be pushing it to get a QUALITY Panama for less than $100. I've seen Panama/Cuence hats for as little as $35 on sale but you are going to get what you paid for...loose weave, marginal straw, color imperfections and lots of pinholes!

 

[panamabob]

I'm here. Not quite up and running yet. Working on absorbing the rules.