Unfortunately, there is no standard grading system for Panama Hats. Different exporters use different grading systems. For example:

• One exporter counts the number of weaves in a linear inch and subtracts 12
• Another exporter counts those same weaves and subtracts 10
• Another counts the number of weaves along the diagonal in a one inch square and subtracts 12

In order to reduce confusion, we decided against using any of these conflicting standards. Instead, we decided to show you detailed photos illustrating how the weave of our hats compare. That should give you a very good idea about the quality and the fineness of the weave of our hat collections.

Feel free to contact us if you need additional information.

Yes.

But first, it is important to realize that there is no single grading standard for Panama Hats. That is why we do not use any of the conflicting grades for our Panador Hats.

That said, grade 20 is the highest grade available in commercial quantities across most of the standards.

Our Classic Collection hats generally meet the grade 20 standard for all of the conflicting standards. Of course, Panama Hats are handwoven, so there is variation from one hat to another. Still, our Classic Collection hats are among the highest grade hats available.

If you compare our Classic Collection hats with, for example, our Maestro collection, you will find that the weave is virtually identical. The Maestro is distinguished by more advanced finishing techniques, which explains why Maestro hats cost more. But if you are comparing the weave of these two hats, they are all but identical.

The only hats in our line that consistently exceeds the grade of our Classic Collection is our Virtuoso Natural Fedora and the Virtuoso Black Fedora.

Compare the Classic Collection with any Panama Hat you may choose. We are completely confident that you will find them to be exceptionally well made, high quality — and high grade — hats.

In fact, we recommend Panador Classic Collection hats to first-time hat buyers without reservation. We are confident you will be completely satisfied with these excellent hats.

The Montecristi Panama Hat is a very special and very rare hat. These are finely woven hats made by only a small handful of exceptional weavers.

The hat gets its name from the town of its origin. However, the hats are not exclusive to Montecristi. Other nearby towns, like Pilé, also weave these hats.

Montecristi Panama Hats account for fewer than two percent (2%) of all Panama Hats made. There are very few weavers who are capable of weaving a hat of this quality.

There are no short cuts. These hats take a lot of time to weave. Even the lowest quality of the Montecristi hats take weeks to create. The finest hats take months of work.

The weaver must be close to where the straw is grown. For these fine hats, the toquilla straw is split into very thin strands. To make these fine strands, it must be done near the source, soon after harvest. Otherwise, the straw becomes too brittle.

Further limiting the number of hats available is the local weather. In Montecristi and the surrounding area, the weaving day is limited due to the heat and the humidity.

In contrast, Cuenca is at 9000 feet elevation. It is much cooler and much less humid. The weaving day can be up to three times longer than in Montecristi or Pilé.

Unfortunately some exporters mislabel hats as Montecristi that were made elsewhere. They are rarely the quality or material of a true Montecristi. If you see an inexpensive Montecristi Panama Hat listed for sale on the internet, you can be all but certain that is is not a true Montecristi.

We do not carry Montecristi hats, at least, not at this time. There are so few of these hats made that it is all but impossible to carry a sufficient inventory of these hats to satisfy our customer's desire.