Soviet Panama Hat History: From the First Subtropical Helmet to Modern Military Panama Hats
This is Part 2 of our Soviet Panama Hat History. In Part 1, we explored the development of this distinctive military headgear from the early NKVD subtropical helmets to the Soviet Army Panama hats that became closely associated with the war in Afghanistan.
More interesting articles:
Soviet Panamanka Hat History – From NKVD to Afghanistan War (Part 1)
Why Mujahideen Feared Soviet GRU Spetsnaz in the Afghan War
Soviet Spetsnaz Uniform in Afghanistan (1979–1989)
What Soviet Soldiers Really Ate in the Afghan War
In this second part, we return to the beginning and take a more detailed look at the complete evolution of the Soviet military Panama hat. We start with the subtropical helmets introduced for NKVD troops in the 1930s and the Model 1938 Red Army Panama, then follow its development through the post-war Soviet Army, the camouflage Panama hats used by KGB and Border Troops, the famous Afghanka uniform in Afghanistan, and finally the modern versions used by the Russian Armed Forces.
The article also examines changes in construction, ventilation, insignia, camouflage patterns and military regulations, showing how a simple piece of hot-climate headgear remained in military service for decades.
In March 1938, by Order No. 61 of the People’s Commissariat of Defense of the USSR, a special summer headgear was introduced instead of the pilotka for Red Army servicemen serving in regions with a hot climate (the Central Asian republics, the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia, as well as Crimea). It was called the “subtropical helmet.”
It was intended that it could be worn together with a steel helmet. In everyday speech, the new headgear became known as a Panama hat. The order itself also referred to it as a Panama hat, although it is more correct to call it a subtropical helmet, since this item was developed based on the cotton subtropical helmet introduced for NKVD troops on December 27, 1935
The helmet was made of khaki cotton fabric and consisted of a crown and a brim. The crown was made of four panels and had twelve ventilation holes – three on each panel. Cotton padding placed under the upper part of the crown helped protect the head from the scorching sun. A brim about 7 cm wide was sewn to the lower part of the crown. It was slightly sloped and often quilted.
Panama Hats for Hot Regions of the USSR
Panama Hats for Hot Regions of the USSR
| Model / Year | Military Branch | Description | Official Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| NKVD Cotton Subtropical Helmet, Model 1935 | NKVD Troops | Khaki cotton subtropical helmet with a branch-color cloth star and Soviet red star badge. | NKVD Order No. 396, December 27, 1935 |
| NKVD Cotton Subtropical Helmet, Model 1935 | NKVD Border Troops | Khaki cotton subtropical helmet used by Soviet NKVD Border Troops. | NKVD Order No. 396, December 27, 1935 |
| Red Army Cotton Panama Hat, Model 1938 | Red Army (RKKA) | Khaki cotton Panama hat introduced for Red Army servicemen serving in hot climate regions of the USSR. | People’s Commissariat of Defense Order No. 61, March 16, 1938 |
| Red Army Cotton Panama Hat, Model 1938 | Armored and Tank Troops (ABTV) | Steel-gray version of the Model 1938 subtropical helmet intended for Soviet armored and tank troops. | People’s Commissariat of Defense Order No. 61, March 16, 1938 |
Soviet RKKA M1938 Panama Hat
Looking for an authentic Soviet summer hat? This high-quality RKKA M1938 Panama Hat is made to the original 1938 Soviet GOST standard. It features the classic khaki canvas, large red star, ventilation eyelets and adjustable chin strap, making it perfect for WWII reenactment, collectors and military history enthusiasts.
The joint between the crown and the brim was covered with a narrow strip of the same material, with a loop at the back. On the inside, a lining made of red cotton fabric was sewn to the crown, along with a leatherette sweatband and a fabric chin strap with two loops. When the chin strap was not needed, it could easily be tucked inside the helmet.
On the front, the helmet had a sewn-on five-pointed star, 7.5 cm in diameter, in the branch color – maroon for the Internal Troops and light green for the Border Troops. A standard approved red metal star badge was attached in the center.
The helmet was to be worn straight, without tilting. Bending down or raising the brim was not permitted.
Without significant changes, this helmet, which had been tested by the NKVD troops, was also adopted for use by the Red Army. The only new feature was the steel-gray fabric used for the helmets of the Armored and Tank Troops. As for the cloth star, it appears that in the Red Army it was red for all branches of service, including aviation. However, this question requires further research.
In February 1955, by Order No. 23, the Minister of Defense introduced a new model of the Panama helmet. It retained its protective khaki color, four-panel crown, and wide brim. However, the brim became significantly stiffer because it was now reinforced with an internal frame.
Panama Hats for Hot Regions of the USSR
| Model / Year | Military Branch / Personnel | Description | Official Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat, Model 1955 | Officers, Warrant Officers and Long-Service Personnel | Khaki cotton Panama hat with a military cockade, intended for Soviet Army personnel serving in hot climate regions. | USSR Ministry of Defense Order No. 23, February 1955 |
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat, Model 1955 | Soldiers and Sergeants | Khaki cotton Panama hat with a red Soviet star badge, issued to soldiers and sergeants serving in hot climate regions. | USSR Ministry of Defense Order No. 23, February 1955 |
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat, Model 1955 | Soviet Army | Rear and interior views showing the four-panel crown, ventilation holes, wide reinforced brim and internal construction. | USSR Ministry of Defense Order No. 23, February 1955 |
| Panama Hat for Servicemen in Hot Climate Regions | Soviet Armed Forces | Later Soviet military Panama hat intended for servicemen operating in hot climate regions. | USSR Ministry of Defense regulations |
The number of ventilation holes was increased. At the point where the brim joined the crown, there were two holes for the chin strap, which was attached to the crown with two standard uniform buttons.
In its normal position, the chin strap was placed over the brim along the front of the crown.
The cloth star was no longer used and was replaced by a red metal star of the standard type used on the Soviet pilotka cap.
As before, soldiers, sergeants, and military school cadets were issued the Panama hat instead of the cotton pilotka side cap. From May 30, 1969, the Panama hat became a mandatory part of the uniform only for these categories of servicemen.
Officers serving in hot climate regions used a field cap instead. However, the “Rules for Wearing Military Uniforms by Servicemen of the Soviet Army and Navy,” introduced by Order No. 250 of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 4, 1988, allowed officers to wear this headgear at the direction of a senior commander or military unit commander with summer everyday and field uniforms.
By the late 1970s, there was a growing need for camouflage clothing suitable for everyday use. This need was especially strong among the special-purpose units of the Committee for State Security (KGB) and the Border Troops.
In 1981, these units began receiving new cotton uniforms made from two-color camouflage fabric, featuring small yellow squares on a green background.
Panama Hats for Hot Regions of the USSR
| Model / Period | Military Branch / Personnel | Description | Period / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat | Officers, Warrant Officers and Long-Service Personnel | Khaki cotton Soviet Army Panama hat with a military cockade, designed for service in hot climate regions. | OST V 17-308-74 |
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat | Soldiers and Sergeants | Khaki cotton Panama hat with a red Soviet star badge, intended for soldiers and sergeants serving in hot climate regions. | OST V 17-308-74 |
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat | Soviet Army | Rear and interior views showing the crown construction, ventilation holes, wide brim and internal lining of the Soviet military Panama hat. | OST V 17-308-74 |
| Soviet Army Cotton Panama Hat | Officers, Warrant Officers, Long-Service Personnel, Soldiers and Sergeants | Later production version of the Soviet Army Panama hat. Officers, warrant officers and long-service personnel wore a field cockade, while soldiers and sergeants wore a red Soviet star badge. | Ivanovo Headwear Factory, 1974–1978 |
The squares were grouped into shapes that, with a little imagination, could resemble oak leaves. As a result, this camouflage pattern became known in the USSR as “Oak” (Dubok), while in NATO countries it was known as “Computer” camouflage.
Camouflage Panama Hats for Hot Regions of the USSR
| Model / Period | Military Branch / Personnel | Description | Period / Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGB Cotton Camouflage Panama Hat | Officers, Warrant Officers and Long-Service Personnel | Cotton camouflage Panama hat with a military cockade, designed for KGB personnel serving in hot climate regions. | Late 1970s–1980s |
| KGB Cotton Camouflage Panama Hat | Soldiers and Sergeants | Camouflage Panama hat intended for soldiers and sergeants, featuring the Soviet military star insignia. | Late 1970s–1980s |
| KGB Camouflage Panama Hat | KGB and Border Troops | Rear and interior views showing the camouflage fabric, ventilation holes, wide brim and internal construction of the Panama hat. | Late 1970s–1980s |
| KGB Camouflage Panama Hat, Later Version | Officers, Warrant Officers, Long-Service Personnel, Soldiers and Sergeants | Later camouflage version used with Soviet field uniforms. Officers and long-service personnel wore a cockade, while soldiers and sergeants wore a Soviet star badge. | 1980s |
For regions with a hot climate, the new uniform included a camouflage Panama hat. The “Oak” (Dubok) camouflage Panama hats were worn not only by Border Troops. They were also issued to servicemen of the Alpha and Vympel groups, as well as personnel of various operational services of the KGB of the USSR. Some camouflage Panama hats were also tested in units of the USSR Ministry of Defense.
It should be noted that this uniform was officially introduced by a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR only on July 5, 1984, while the description of the items included in the uniform was approved by an order of the Ministry of Defense on July 19. The new uniform was intended primarily for the Limited Contingent of Soviet Troops in Afghanistan, so it quickly became known as the “Afghanka.” However, the Afghanka uniform was finally approved by USSR Ministry of Defense Order No. 250 only in March 1988.
For KGB servicemen, the government resolution of July 5, 1984 was announced only in December by Order No. 0802, “On Field Uniforms and Airborne Equipment for Servicemen.” The document required that, from the beginning of the following year, the new uniform should also be issued to Border Troops serving in the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
Soviet Panamanka Hat – Afghan War
Looking for a classic Soviet military Panama hat? This Soviet Panamanka is based on the iconic hot-climate headgear worn by Soviet troops during the Afghanistan War. Its distinctive wide brim, military-style construction and authentic Soviet appearance make it an excellent choice for collectors, reenactors and Soviet military history enthusiasts.
However, the Afghanka was not popular with all Soviet servicemen in Afghanistan. In particular, the wide-brimmed Panama hats, both in khaki and camouflage versions, proved inconvenient when working with military vehicles and equipment. Nevertheless, these models of Panama helmets remained in use until 1994.
In May 2005, by Decree No. 531 of the President of the Russian Federation, the camouflage Panama hat was once again adopted for military service.
This cotton headgear still consists of a top, a four-panel crown, a brim, and a cord with an adjuster. The top, crown, and brim with their inner lining are quilted with parallel rows of stitching.
The brim has two snap fasteners that allow it to be attached to the sides of the crown, similar to the Model 1981 Panama hat.
Each of the four panels of the crown has three ventilation holes (eyelets) in the upper part. Inside the crown there is a khaki-colored lining and a fabric sweatband, under which are a cord with an adjuster and a flap covering the attachment point of the cockade.
At the front of the crown, above the brim, there is a band for attaching camouflage materials. The changes introduced in 2010 concerned almost exclusively the main fabric, which now featured a “digital camouflage” pattern.
More interesting articles:
Why Mujahideen Feared Soviet GRU Spetsnaz in the Afghan War
Soviet Spetsnaz Uniform in Afghanistan (1979–1989)
What Soviet Soldiers Really Ate in the Afghan War
Soviet Afghanka Uniform. History, Features, and Use in Afghanistan
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