Panama hat advice - what to buy and from where? (I’m in EU)

[yellowfever]

Hi I’m normally on TFL for leather jackets and boots, but been reading up on Panama hats as I want a practical sun hat with a touch of style. As I know almost nothing about hats in general or Panama hats in particular I thought I’d ask you good folks here if you would be kind enough to offer me some guidance…

My requirements:

- keep sun off head/face etc so a reasonable sized brim without looking over the top
- cool and breathable (whilst not letting sun through)
- reasonably hard wearing/long-lasting suitable for campervan travel (so rolling not needed so much), beach and city wear.
- available in EU for < €200 (and preferably more around the €100 mark)
- genuine heritage/quality item (as far as my price constraints allow)
- suit my build/style (slim build 176 cm (5’ 9”) and a size 58cm head and not an habitual hat wearer. Summer wardrobe is typically long sleeve plain linen shirts / loose unstructured pants or lightweight combat/cargo pants or jeans, or board shorts at the beach)
- online purchase, reasonable delivery time

bonus points for:
- changeable ribbons to be able change up the look
- ease of very occasional folding/rolling re-shaping and tolerance of this (though I don’t expect to do this very often so not sure if a specific roll up model is necessary/wise?)

I think that means a white/light natural colour to reflect sun well (though I guess shows marks more easily?)
a classic relatively low key style? Fedora?

some questions
What style would you recommend to suit my build/style/needs eg Fedora? Foldable etc

How much should I care about finer weave? (At this price point I’m assuming won’t be the finer gauges, but what are pros/cons on breathability/sun protection/robustness etc )

leather or fabric sweatbands?

Hat liner?

where to buy? PHD? Or EU retailers? (Avoids import duties/delays etc). Which ones? other options worth considering?

should I forget about it and stick to my deeply unstylish but practical cotton bush hat?

thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to share…

 

[jlee562]

You'll either need to up your budget, or adjust your expectations.

- "Reasonably hard wearing." Panamas are a natural straw, they can crack and they can get deformed if they are not taken care of. They are not particularly "knock around" hats.
-"genuine heritage/quality" + €100 price point is just not happening. You will certainly not get a true Montecristi at that price point.
-Changeable ribbon is not really a thing. You can swap pugarees, but not ribbon unless you intend to sew it on every time.
-Rollable hats are generally not advisable

 

[belfastboy]

Hi I’m normally on TFL for leather jackets and boots, but been reading up on Panama hats as I want a practical sun hat with a touch of style. As I know almost nothing about hats in general or Panama hats in particular I thought I’d ask you good folks here if you would be kind enough to offer me some guidance…

My requirements:

- keep sun off head/face etc so a reasonable sized brim without looking over the top
- cool and breathable (whilst not letting sun through)
- reasonably hard wearing/long-lasting suitable for campervan travel (so rolling not needed so much), beach and city wear.
- available in EU for < €200 (and preferably more around the €100 mark)
- genuine heritage/quality item (as far as my price constraints allow)
- suit my build/style (slim build 176 cm (5’ 9”) and a size 58cm head and not an habitual hat wearer. Summer wardrobe is typically long sleeve plain linen shirts / loose unstructured pants or lightweight combat/cargo pants or jeans, or board shorts at the beach)
- online purchase, reasonable delivery time

bonus points for:
- changeable ribbons to be able change up the look
- ease of very occasional folding/rolling re-shaping and tolerance of this (though I don’t expect to do this very often so not sure if a specific roll up model is necessary/wise?)

I think that means a white/light natural colour to reflect sun well (though I guess shows marks more easily?)
a classic relatively low key style? Fedora?

some questions
What style would you recommend to suit my build/style/needs eg Fedora? Foldable etc

How much should I care about finer weave? (At this price point I’m assuming won’t be the finer gauges, but what are pros/cons on breathability/sun protection/robustness etc )

leather or fabric sweatbands?

Hat liner?

where to buy? PHD? Or EU retailers? (Avoids import duties/delays etc). Which ones? other options worth considering?

should I forget about it and stick to my deeply unstylish but practical cotton bush hat?

thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to share…

$100 Euros won't get you much in the way of a decent Panama hat. PHD will get you a wearable one starting at $150US plus shipping. they are OK hats but the sweat bands are cloth, the ribbons are **** and glued. But, understand for your price point you will get an introductory level hat, wearable but not great. PHD has sales regularly, offering 20% discounts. If you want a removable crown ribbon then look to get one with a pugarree. They are removable whereas ribbons are not, especially on a Panama...they need to be tack stitched in place. Also, the PHD hats have a fair amount of stiffener so they are NOT foldable at all. You need to spend more $$$ to get to that level as it requires a finer straw, finer weave.

 

[yellowfever]

Thank you both for your helpful comments, much appreciated.

As stated my budget is less than €200 (about $225) but as I said I’d rather it be around €100 if possible. You both suggest it won’t be…. but it does appear €200 would get me an entry level Panama hat.

Anywhere else I should look beyond PHD? Is It worth considering second hand / vintage hats? Or a minefield especially given my lack of knowledge/risk of poor condition?

On ‘reasonably hardwearing’, noted these are not knock around hats by nature. I do take care of my things, so I guess it will be OK, I just don’t want to get one that rapidly falls apart. I presume from what you say that at this price point that’s a real risk (Buy cheap = buy twice…)

On ribbons I’ve clearly misunderstood. From the PHD website it appeared interchangeable is a thing, but it seems it isn’t (or isn’t simple/a good thing). So I guess going for a classic understated ribbon is therefore the best choice for a first panama.

On sweatbands are leather considered. better than cloth as more effective (Less staining risk?)? According to the FAQ’s PHD hats do have leather sweatbands….

any advice on panama style/brim size that may work best for my build/dress style appreciated… on PHD the fedora or Havana models look like they may be a suitable conservative mainstream choice for a first Panama hat…

 

[belfastboy]

Thank you both for your helpful comments, much appreciated.

As stated my budget is less than €200 (about $225) but as I said I’d rather it be around €100 if possible. You both suggest it won’t be…. but it does appear €200 would get me an entry level Panama hat.

Anywhere else I should look beyond PHD? Is It worth considering second hand / vintage hats? Or a minefield especially given my lack of knowledge/risk of poor condition?

On ‘reasonably hardwearing’, noted these are not knock around hats by nature. I do take care of my things, so I guess it will be OK, I just don’t want to get one that rapidly falls apart. I presume from what you say that at this price point that’s a real risk (Buy cheap = buy twice…)

On ribbons I’ve clearly misunderstood. From the PHD website it appeared interchangeable is a thing, but it seems it isn’t (or isn’t simple/a good thing). So I guess going for a classic understated ribbon is therefore the best choice for a first panama.

On sweatbands are leather considered. better than cloth as more effective (Less staining risk?)? According to the FAQ’s PHD hats do have leather sweatbands….

any advice on panama style/brim size that may work best for my build/dress style appreciated… on PHD the fedora or Havana models look like they may be a suitable conservative mainstream choice for a first Panama hat…

I suggest for sun protection that a 2 3/4" brim width is good. Any narrower and 'what is the point'?

I find leather more comfortable but I do have panama hats with cloth....either/or. All Panama straws are hand woven from palm,...the cost is determined by the quality of the weave. Cheaper hats have thicker straw and less weaves per inch. There is a direct correlation between weave count and cost. A hgiher weave count is a much more refined look but not necessarily harder wearing/more rugged. If you want a cheaper knockabuot hat, have a look at Akubra. It is a paper straw, coated. Not as 'cooling' but much harder wearing and less expensive....machine made, not hand woven. Or the Wallaroo brand is a nice knockabout sun hat that is cheaper still.
I make custom Panama hats and a weave count of 15-18 per inch (Grade 2)is a nice slot of price and quality. They are much nicer more refined look than the cheaper Grade 1.

 

[yellowfever]

Thank you very much for your further advice, some good food for thought. I’ll reflect and also take a look at the more knockabout style of hats you mentioned. Though that may lead me back to my existing practical but seriously unstylish bush hat… so not giving up on a panama, or at least not yet!