This is the “Año 1858″, 150 year special edition Basque Beret; available in 11 inch (28cm).. This limited edition beret is is made in Tolosa, Spain by Elosegui of hand selected 100% Merino wool. The factory description states the 1858 uses a special blend of wool; I think it is very similar to the Super Luxury model. It come with its own special silver colored lining and 150 Ano label. It does not come in a box but in a plastic sleeve. Note: November, 2015, the current batch DID come with gift boxes.
This is the only brand of beret I sell. I know there are several brands out there and I’ve tried many of them but I always come back to my first love, the Super Luxury by Elosegui. I’m not sure what it is but one summer I took a famous French brand on my summer trip to Europe and by the end of the trip I was longing for my Elosegui beret; there’s just something about the quality of the wool and their process. The berets just feel ‘right’.
This beret comes with a 6.5” headband area and wearer needs to stretch the headband area to fit their head. I include simple instructions and also have a YouTube video on how to stretch the headband.
Difficult to find even in Spain, you have found what I, in my humble opinion, consider to be THE greatest boina, or beret made. This Basque Beret is from the Spanish Basque region, made by Boinas Elósegui, a small family company; one of the last beret makers outside of China. These high quality beret are made of a substantial, superior quality black 100% wool that is woven and felted by the company. I have seen and owned a lot of berets over the years and have never found one I would consider equal in quality. A bold statement I know but I have been selling these on ebay for over a decade now and have had nothing but praise; and many reorders.
The berets I sell do not have a leather headbands, they use the beret material as the headband. Why do I like this better than a beret with a leather headband? In a word; comfort. This is a personal preference but I feel these berets fit one’s head shape better. Once Stretched to fit your head, the headband doesn’t change size (neither stretch nor shrink) or get dry and stiff like a leather band can. They can be stretched to fit even the biggest head size & shape (I recommend the 11″ and larger if you have a large head like me), and fits all but the smallest heads (the headband comes about 6.5 inches in diameter from the factory) making it a great present as there’s no guessing on size. It also rolls, or folds, up easy for putting in your pocket or packing. This is one of the few hats I can wear all day, even forgetting it’s on my head. I wear my beret year round. It’s great in the rain, shades my head in the summer (how they are used in the Basque country). I use to wear it as my bike hat; until the city mandated helmets. Darn! Should you really want a beret with a headband, most any shoe repair shop could add a strip of leather to any of these berets, and the quality of the leather will no doubt be much nicer than what a hat company would offer.
A great value made by a small 150+ year old family company in the Basque region of Spain. You can find this berets costing over $85; it’s that nice and it’s that great a value (and my profit margin is that low). You, or your loved one, will love it, I’m sure!
NOTE: the most recent batch DID NOT come with the gift box
Martin Brust –
Excellent Beret. Very comfortable
Miles Braxton –
Very comfortable and high quality. Fast shipping too!
Byrne N Sherwood –
I am happy with this high quality beret. This is the first beret I have owned without the leather sweatband. I had my doubts, but I am a convert. Shaping is easier and it is more comfortable. I am happy to support this labor of love and Ron will definitely be my go-to for future beret purchases.
Thomas Wilson –
I received the Ano 1858 today-only three days after the order. I stretched it to fit as per your video and it fits wonderfully. You are right-I like this Spanish beret better than the French one that I have with the leather headband. This is a great and rare product!
Jon A –
My third(!) Elósegui beret and I’m as pleased with this as the other two which I bought years back from Ron. My first two were a black 10.5″ and blue 11″ Super Lujo. Had always preferred the 11″ over the 10.%” so this 150 year anniversary edition became the excuse for addressing things.
I think the Supa Lujos might be a bit thicker/stiffer/warmer than this one, but that’s not to say that this model is thin or in anyway inferior. It’s actually really nice to have that slight variation as it styles a bit differently and doesn’t feel too warm if you’re working physically on something involving a bit of effort.
I have found them to function great as both “something warmer and more comfortable than a baseball cap (or traditional men’s cap) for around-the-house wear during the Pandemic as well as great in the garden (chopping wood, lawn mowing, planting, weeding etc. They do a fantastic job of protecting the head from the sun too, which can be pretty fierce here in Colorado.
They also do look great for cycling, although aren’t going to protect you like a real helmet of course. Maybe one could stretch a Txapeldun over a helmet…
Phillip Black –
I have bought several of the Super Lujo and I have had this specific one now for several years. Absolutely love these boinas they truly are of superior craftmanship and quality. Oh did I mention that I get a lot of complements when I wear it?
SeongJik Lee –
I haven’t found a hat that suits me in a long time. I bought a beret on eBay last year too, but I couldn’t be satisfied.
But this time I got to know rongreer and learned a lot about berets.
It was amazing to increase the size of the beret to fit one’s head.
I bought two berets from rongreer.
Very satisfied. The quality is good and it is beautiful.
From now on, I am not interested in hats from other producers.
I am in Korea. There are no people wearing berets here. When I go out wearing a beret, I am the only one wearing a beret.
My family and other friends tell me that berets look good on me and look cool.
Happy to have the best beret.
thanks rongreer
From Lee in Seoul, Korea…
SeongJik Lee –
I haven’t found a hat that suits me in a long time. I bought a beret on eBay last year too, but I couldn’t be satisfied.
But this time I got to know rongreer and learned a lot about berets.
It was amazing to increase the size of the beret to fit one’s head.
I bought two berets from rongreer.
Very satisfied. The quality is good and it is beautiful.
From now on, I am not interested in hats from other producers.
I am in Korea. There are no people wearing berets here. When I go out wearing a beret, I am the only one wearing a beret.
My family and other friends tell me that berets look good on me and look cool.
Happy to have the best beret.
thanks rongreer
From Lee in Seoul, Korea…
Phillip –
I have purchased several of the super lujo from Ron with the Ano 1858 being the most recent and my favorite. Without question these boinas are among the best in the world and you can’t beat the price. I also like that they are made in Spain and that I am supporting a regional industry that is producting a global classic. Oh, last note I don’t like leather hatbands so there was no concern about the band less choice.