PANAMA HAT

Our Ecuadorian Panama Hat is the same grade or better used by the major brands of Panama Hats in this country. The main difference is the price. And, because we make them, we are the only one who can give you a choice of band color -11 colors or even more if you call us. We use the Llano Cuenca weave as it provides the best sun protection and is the stronger, more durable of the two basic panama weaves. I block and trim the hats myself. No middleman, no expensive shipping and packing charges to send them off to stores, hence the price- you'll find them less than half of other Panamas. The difference is a lighter weight--- no sweatband and no heavy hardening lacquer to make it easier to pack into boxes for retailers but more breakable when you wear it.

Wear our hat in the hot sun for a few hours, wear it to the Kentucky Derby, and you will see why. The hat wicks up the sweat, passes it of into the air and you stay cooler because there is no barrier stopping the sweat from passing through. Over the last 25 years, we have more loyal customers buying this hat again and again than any other straw hat we carry. I individually block all the Panama Hats on an old pre 1930 hydraulic machine and I know the best combination of heat, pressure, temperature and humidity to give them the best just right feel and shape retention possible. Just give one of ours a squeeze and feel the way it pops back into shape the way that helped give the Panama Hat its original reputation as the best straw hat in the world. Then try the same thing with a national brand panama at 2 1/2 times the price. We're better every time. The brims are dimensional-slightly narrower on the sides than on the front and back like Indiana Jones's hat. The top picture shows the model wearing the larger brim and the inset the smaller brim. Remember, Panama Hats, the real ones, including ours are always made of what they call in Ecuador- paja toquilla or jipi with the scientific name Carludovica palmata. Click on the photos for detail. Only the more popular 2 3/4 inch brim presently in stock.

The largest complete hat store in California, The Berkeley Hat Company has been located at 2510 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California 94704, 4 blocks from UC Berkeley for 30 years. Open Mon-Thurs 10:30-6:00, Fri-Sat 10:30-6:30 Sun 12-5:30.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COST ON ORDERS ON THIS SITE FOR ANY QUANTITY IS $6.88 FOR THE FIRST ITEM AND $1.66 EACH FOR EVERY ITEM THEREAFTER. Shipping time in TRANSIT is usually THREE DAYS OR LESS days and includes Saturday delivery. Express Mail is $26.34 plus $3.88 each additional item. Canadian Priority Mail is $19.66 plus $1.88 for each additional item. We ship six days a week-everyday including Saturday but not Sunday. Most orders shipped within two or three days, but usually the same or next day. Regular orders are sent U.S Postal Service Priority Mail. Small items may be sent First Class Mail. Larger orders may be shipped UPS and could take longer than 3 days. If your're worried about availabily or shipping time, call us at 510 962-4428 during business hours. Items without an "Order" button on the order page are usually sold out, but you can call to make sure. For any questions about item availability, please feel free to call us at 510 549-2955. Returns and exchanges should be sent within 10 days of receipt of order. The same shipping charges pertain on exchanges as on original order. Thank you for shopping Berkeley Hat Company, the Hat Store on Yahoo.

Hat Orders will usually be shipped same or next day and should arrive within 2 to 3 days after date of shipping. Check www.USPS.com for the Priority Mail delivery date to your zip code from ours(94704). Call us to verify. Remember, the Post Office delivers on Saturday.

USPS Express Mail is guaranteed to arrive by the Post Office in 1 day in most areas and 2 days in the rest. Check www.USPS.com for your delivery date from our zip code(94704). Phone Orders and inquiries welcome 10:30-5:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. Our Phone Number is 510 962-4428.

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Feel free to contact us at hatstore@sbcglobal.net or (510) 962-4428