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Borsalino Panama Quito review: worth it or skip?

Buy8.6/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want the classic summer hat. Why: hand-woven toquilla straw panama. The catch: fragile.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Borsalino Panama Quito

Our verdict on the Borsalino Panama Quito

Buy it if
you want the classic summer hat.
Skip it if
you want winter.
Best for
Panama classic
Key feature
Hand-woven toquilla straw panama
Typical price
$450–$650
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

MaterialToquilla straw
LiningNone
FitSized
Made inItaly

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want the classic summer hat
  • value iconic
  • can spend around $450–$650

Skip it if you

  • you want winter
  • mind this: fragile

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Light

Cons

  • Fragile

The verdict in one breath

The Borsalino Panama Quito is a luxury hat or gloves we would point most people to. What earns it the buy: hand-woven toquilla straw panama. In our list it is the pick for: panama classic.

Reasons to buy

  • Iconic
  • Light

Reasons to skip

  • Fragile

The details that matter

  • Material: Toquilla straw
  • Lining: None
  • Fit: Sized
  • Made in: Italy

Worth knowing

Since 1857.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want the classic summer hat. Skip it if you want winter; the Borsalino Alessandria is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best hats and leather gloves.

Alternatives worth considering

Borsalino Alessandria

Borsalino · Hats and leather gloves

Borsalino Alessandria

Buy it if you want classic.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Hand-made fedora
Typical price
$450–$600

Pros

  • Superb

Cons

  • Formal
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Borsalino Fur Felt Fedora

Borsalino · Hats and leather gloves

Borsalino Fur Felt Fedora

Buy it if you want a classic fedora.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Classic fedora
Typical price
$400–$600

Pros

  • Superb felt

Cons

  • Formal
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Borsalino Panama Quito?

Buy it, if you want the classic summer hat. Why: hand-woven toquilla straw panama. The catch: fragile.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want winter. The Borsalino Alessandria is the better buy then.

What does the Borsalino Panama Quito cost?

Usually $450–$650 in the US. Luxury houses raise prices often, so check the current price before you buy.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Borsalino Panama Quito: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Borsalino Panama Quito worth the money? Short answer: buy it, if you want the classic summer hat. This review explains what this Borsalino piece gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs and which luxury hat or gloves to buy instead if it is not right for you.

What the Borsalino Panama Quito does well

The headline: hand-woven toquilla straw panama. The details: Material: Toquilla straw; Lining: None; Fit: Sized; Made in: Italy. In our list it is the pick for: panama classic. It usually sells for $450–$650 in the US.

Since 1857.

The trade-offs

Good: iconic, light. Not so good: fragile. Read the skip-if line before you spend: skip it if you want winter.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Borsalino Alessandria ($450–$600): rabbit felt fedora. Better if you want classic.

Instead, consider the Borsalino Fur Felt Fedora ($400–$600): fur felt fedora. Better if you want a classic fedora.

Instead, consider the Lock & Co. Hatters Trilby ($300–$450): felt trilby. Better if you want British heritage.

Before you buy

Size: hats are sized by head circumference; measure just above the ears. Glove fit: leather gloves should be snug; they stretch slightly with wear. Lining: cashmere and silk linings add warmth without bulk.

Buyer tip

Italian glove makers (Sermoneta, Merola) and British Dents give luxury-house quality for much less than fashion brands.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT, and many Italian and French makers of sunglasses, gloves and leather goods sell for less at home than in the US. Check the warranty and repair service before buying across borders.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.