Introduction--Down the Panama Hat Rabbit Hole...

[ACHiPo]

Keep that in mind when you plan your order for next summer!

Yeah I figure I'll place my order for next Summer this summer

 

[belfastboy]

I heard from Mike Miller from Northwest Hats. Kinda bummed I already ordered the Truffaux hat, as I was quite impressed with my exchange with Mike. That said, it'll be good to have a relatively inexpensive lid that I don't obsess too much over, plus it may give me a bit better idea of what I want in my next Panama from Mike. Oh, and I'll get the Truffaux next week--Mike's custom hats are running ~6 months.

It is both good to hear Mike's wait list is so long and he is doing so well. His hats are such a bargain as he is a true Master at his craft.

 

[ACHiPo]

The Diamond Traveler arrived today from Truffaux. Great job packing. I really like the hat—not Uber fine, but seems to be well constructed and will serve as a good starter lid. At a little over $100 I won’t worry much about losing/damaging it. Will post pics when I get a chance.

 

[ACHiPo]

 

[Dortreo]

Yes. I ordered an XL, but he said he would select a 60 for me based on my head circumference of 59.4 cm +/- ~0.2 cm (23 3/8" +/- 1/8") depending on how tight the tape is. My head size seems to be at the upper end of a 7 3/8, so a 60 that shrinks a bit should be just right. He also ships adhesive foam blocks to insert in the back between the sweatband and the hat to make the hat fit snuggly initially, then blocks can be removed as the hat shrinks to size.

The sweat band is ribbon. I'm skeptical, but figure I can replace it relatively easily if I don't like it.

Shipping to the US is pretty expensive. When I first looked at shipping I thought it was $25, which seemed pretty reasonable. When I clicked through to place the order (including a 10% first-time discount) shipping was $40. Looking forward to making contact with Mike as Eugene shipping should be a lot more reasonable.

I'll post my impressions when I get it.

I’m reviving an old thread as I’ve not quite fallen down the Panama hat rabbit hole but am tottering drunkenly on the precipice.

I was in contact with Truffaux and he suggested I go one size larger (62 instead of 61) as his Panama hats will shrink to size. Is this a pretty good rule of thumb or is this just with Truffaux? That is, should I also buy one size larger at places like PanamaHatsDirect or at Ultrafino? I’ve looked on their websites and there’s nothing to suggest this.

 

[Dortreo]

The Diamond Traveler arrived today from Truffaux. Great job packing. I really like the hat—not Uber fine, but seems to be well constructed and will serve as a good starter lid. At a little over $100 I won’t worry much about losing/damaging it. Will post pics when I get a chance.

How has the Diamond Traveller worked out? I’m considering the same model.