Panama Hat Works of Montecristi - Hats Made in Cuenca

Cuenca Hats

Cuenca, Ecuador

Cuenca hats are made in Cuenca, Ecuador. Their reputation is not as legendary as hats made in Montecristi, and the process by which they are finished is a little different, resulting in a whiter hat. Still, the hats are quite nice, and are available in a variety of styles and prices. Finished with grosgrain bands. The finos are based on the Cuenca scale, and not the Montecristi scale.
Brisa Weave is a 1-to-2 weave that is common in the highlands. The paja is "doubled over" and is sometimes called "doble paja." Brisa means "breeze" in Spanish and has a diamond-like pattern. Brisa hats only take a day or two to weave.

Llano Weave is the traditional coastal 1-to-1 weave. The llano weave has a herringbone-like pattern. The 1-to-1 weave leads directly to the weaves-per-square-inch count of the paja. The finer the weave, the higher the count. Llano hats take much longer to weave than Brisa hats. The finest Llano hats take three to four months. A common Llano weave takes about three weeks.

Caballero

Cuencano

Havana

Rio Plata

Austin

Sweetwater

Canyon

Gambler

Savannah

Optimo

Taos

Cuenca Hats
Cuenca, Ecuador
Cuenca hats are made in Cuenca, Ecuador. Their reputation is not as legendary as hats made in Montecristi, and the process by which they are finished is a little different, resulting in a whiter hat. Still, the hats are quite nice, and are available in a variety of styles and prices. Finished with grosgrain bands. The finos are based on the Cuenca scale, and not the Montecristi scale.
	Brisa Weave is a 1-to-2 weave that is common in the highlands. The paja is "doubled over" and is sometimes called "doble paja." Brisa means "breeze" in Spanish and has a diamond-like pattern. Brisa hats only take a day or two to weave.
	Llano Weave is the traditional coastal 1-to-1 weave. The llano weave has a herringbone-like pattern. The 1-to-1 weave leads directly to the weaves-per-square-inch count of the paja. The finer the weave, the higher the count. Llano hats take much longer to weave than Brisa hats. The finest Llano hats take three to four months. A common Llano weave takes about three weeks.

Caballero	Cuencano	Havana
Rio Plata	Austin	Sweetwater

Canyon	Gambler	Savannah

Optimo	Taos