Millet: The Pinnacle of Mountain Adventure

Hiking and Trekking

Millet designs clothing, backpacks, and footwear to make hiking more comfortable, whether for a day trip close to home or a trek in distant lands.

Hiking Jackets and Trousers

Millet's hiking jackets and hiking trousers are crafted from stretch and breathable materials. Some feature water-repellent finishes, while others have waterproof membranes, like Dryedge or Gore-Tex. The brand offers various ranges to meet the needs of different styles of hikers, from those who go out year-round in any weather to those who hike only in fair weather.

Hiking Boots

Millet places a high priority on detail, ensuring the same quality for all the accessories and clothing it makes. This dedication extends to its hiking boots. Just like those in the Friction, Trident, and G Trek ranges, these shoes and boots embody Millet's expertise developed over decades of experience.

Sleeping Bags

If you’re heading out on a multi-day hike with camping nights, remember that Millet also produces sleeping bags. Suitable for use in tents, lodges, or refuges, these bags help extend your time in nature, allowing you to take in the changing landscapes at dawn and dusk.

Clothing for Skiing

Millet creates clothing for winter sports enthusiasts, whether skiing or snowboarding, on the slopes or off-piste. The brand also makes trail t-shirts, shorts, and climbing trousers, all made from breathable materials that provide comfort even during intense activity.

Millet Ski Jackets: A Standard of Excellence

Millet ski jackets and trousers offer optimal protection from moisture, wind, and cold. To keep them light and comfortable, they are made from durable, high-tech materials. Avoiding harmful chemicals, Millet ski apparel also incorporates waterproof-breathable membranes like Dryedge and Gore-Tex, just like some of its clothing for hiking, climbing, and mountaineering.

Fleeces, Down Jackets, Hats for Men, Women, and Children

Millet offers a full range of fleeces, down jackets, hats, and socks for the whole family, whether you’re a skier, hiker, runner, climber, or alpinist—or all of the above.

Technical Clothing for Mountaineering

Mountaineering requires equipment that can withstand the extreme conditions of high-altitude mountains. The clothing must protect from cold and moisture without limiting movement. Among its high-altitude offerings, Millet’s Trilogy range exemplifies the brand’s expertise, tailored to meet the needs of mountain enthusiasts. This line combines ergonomics, lightness, and comfort, as seen in the Trilogy V Icon Infinium and GTX Pro jackets, and Trilogy Gore-Tex Pro and One Cordura trousers.

Boots Built for the Mountains

Millet mountaineering boots complement these high-end gear essentials at altitude. Known for their durability, they’re adaptable to various terrains, offering traction and stability, making them the top choice for many mountain guides and professionals.

Backpacks for Hiking and Mountaineering

Millet offers a wide selection of backpacks. Depending on size and features, they suit a variety of activities, from short walks and day hikes to multi-day treks, ski touring, climbing, and mountaineering. Some models are particularly versatile, such as the iconic Ubic backpack with plenty of features. The Prolighter range also offers lightweight, high-performance packs.

Millet Climbing Shoes

Millet climbing shoes are renowned for their precision and comfort. Designed for optimal support and grip on all types of surfaces—indoors, bouldering, or crag—they are suitable for climbers of all skill levels.

The History of Millet

The Origins of Millet

Founded by Marc and Hermance Millet in 1921, Millet began with crafting shopping bags and satchels in their workshop in Saint-Fons near Lyon. The couple soon developed the first frame backpacks. After quickly growing to a team of 10, the Millet factory moved to Les Marquisats in Annecy. Following Marc’s passing, Hermance continued the adventure with the help of their two sons, René and Raymond.

After WWII, during which the brothers supplied backpacks to the French Resistance, Millet began to expand significantly. The brothers innovated by collaborating with famous French mountaineer Louis Lachenal, who, along with Maurice Herzog, summited Annapurna in 1950.

Millet went on to supply numerous Himalayan expeditions, gaining global recognition as top alpinists conquered one 8,000-meter peak after another. The brand, dedicated to high-altitude mountains, continued to build a reputation around the world.

A Century-Old Brand Still Making History

In 1959, Millet brought on legendary Italian mountain guide Walter Bonatti as a technical advisor. Bonatti, a celebrated alpinist, journalist, and photographer, completed both the first and second ascents of the Grandes Jorasses north face in 1963 alongside René Desmaison.

Sherpa 50: An Iconic Backpack

In the 1960s and 70s, the Millet brothers continued product innovation, revolutionising the backpack by introducing nylon, which replaced cotton to create lighter, waterproof packs. The Sherpa 50 backpack marked this era, made entirely from nylon with patented padded, seamless shoulder straps. In 1975, Millet moved to a new factory in Frontenex, 50 km from Annecy, to meet production demands.

Diversifying Product Lines

In 1977, Millet began diversifying, developing down products, the first Gore-Tex parka, and a line of high-quality hiking and skiing outdoor clothing.

Mountaineering and Climbing

In 1978, Millet collaborated with Italian alpinist Reinhold Messner, who, that same year, made the first oxygen-free ascent of Mount Everest.

In the early 1980s, with the Millet brothers retiring, the brand continued its growth, launching a clothing line dedicated to climbing.

In 1987, alpinists Christophe Profit and Eric Escoffier accomplished a solo winter sequence of the north faces of the Eiger, Matterhorn, and Grandes Jorasses, adding to Millet’s reputation.

Acquisition by Lafuma and the Birth of Millet Mountain Group

In 1995, Millet, along with the Racer and Gamet brands, was acquired by the Lafuma Group, a leader in the French backpack market. Millet became the high-tech flagship, continuing its legacy of mountain expertise with durable technical products. Since 2010, Millet has been the official supplier of Chamonix mountain guides.

The Millet Mountain Group has become a prominent player in the outdoor market, distinguished by its high-quality technical gear and apparel for mountain sports. Its products, combining performance, comfort, and reliability, are the result of passionate work from a dedicated team based in the heart of the Alps.

Ski Mountaineering and Freeride

In the 2000s, Millet supported numerous expeditions, including those of alpinist Jean-Christophe Lafaille as he tackled legendary Himalayan peaks such as K2, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, and Shishapangma. Millet also partnered with freeriders like the late Marco Siffredi, who, in 2001, completed the first full descent of Everest’s north face from the Tibetan side (8,850 m).

In the 2000s, Millet also launched the first edition of the TSF ski mountaineering race, famous for its 5,000 m of elevation gain over 2 days. The event continued until 2013. Deeply committed to the sport of ski touring, the brand created the Pierra Ment range, named in direct reference to the international Pierra Menta competition. This range includes clothing, backpacks, and accessories designed for ski touring and mountaineering.

An Award-Winning Innovator

Millet’s innovations have been recognised multiple times:

In 2012, Millet received two awards for its Everest mountaineering boots and its Gore-Tex Active ULZ Zip jacket design.
In 2013, Millet won a Gold Award for its Touring Matrix ski backpack.

Millet Becomes Part of a Swiss Group

In late 2013, Swiss group Calida, owner of the French lingerie brand Aubade, became the majority shareholder of Lafuma, which included the Millet, Eider, and Oxbow brands.

In December 2021, Romain Millet, great-grandson of the founders, was appointed to lead the company, having previously held roles in the Lafuma Group from 2005 to 2013.

The Brand Returns to Family Ownership

In April 2022, Millet returned to its founding family, with Calida selling the brand to Jean-Pierre Millet, grandson of the founders. Romain Millet continues to head the Millet Mountain Group, which oversees both the Lafuma Outdoor and Millet brands.

Millet: A Renowned French Brand

Committed to Mountain Sports

A staple in the outdoor gear industry, Millet develops technical clothing and accessories. Innovation is central to Millet’s philosophy, constantly improving products to meet the needs of the most demanding users while reducing its environmental impact. Millet is known for the quality of its clothing, footwear, and accessories, designed for mountaineering, climbing, skiing, trail running, and hiking. They combine reliability, comfort, and durability.

Environmental Commitment

Millet is committed to reducing its environmental impact during production. The choice of raw materials is crucial, with a preference for eco-friendly materials.

Use of Recycled Materials: Millet increasingly incorporates recycled materials into its products, reducing the demand for new natural resources, with a goal of 100% recycled materials by 2030.
Responsible Production: Optimising production processes to minimise waste and resource consumption, including reduced packaging and efficient waste management.
Enhancing Product Circularity: Millet strives to maximise product durability, promoting repairability, second-hand use, and recycling at end-of-life.

Human Commitment

Millet's commitment to people is central to its business philosophy, with a focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and involving employees in its initiatives.

Millet ensures a positive social impact by supporting numerous initiatives to protect and restore nature, reflecting a commitment to a more responsible world. Its active and engaged community plays a key role in achieving these goals.

Millet athletes and ambassadors inspire the brand by testing products in all conditions, driving Millet to pursue excellence at every production stage.

Each step Millet takes is towards a more sustainable industry, designing products that respect both people and the environment. By continuing to innovate and push the boundaries of responsible manufacturing, Millet aims to be an exemplary leader in the clothing industry.

Rise Up

The brand is built on three pillars: innovation, eco-responsibility, and its community.

Innovation

Innovation allows Millet products to push the limits. From the 1950 Annapurna 50, the first backpack to summit Annapurna, to the 2020 Trilogy E-One airbag pack, the lightest on the market, each Millet product benefits from top-notch R&D.

Environmental Protection

Millet is dedicated to minimising its environmental impact, with nature as its primary focus. The brand has been working hard for years to reduce its footprint across six main areas:

Improving product circularity by maximising durability.
Increasing the use of renewable resources, with 100% renewable electricity powering its operations and more recycled materials in its products.
Optimising production to reduce waste and resource use, especially in packaging.
Valuing people by involving employees in CSR policies, offering remote work to reduce commuting, and providing bikes for employees.
Monitoring its carbon footprint and supporting CO2 capture projects, like regenerative agriculture and renewable energy development.
Supporting projects that protect and restore nature, such as 82X400, Riders for Refugees, and 1% for Climbing Routes.

Community

Millet’s success is built on the people it relies on and works with: mountain guides, athletes, ambassadors... Thanks to this community of experts, the brand can test its products in extreme conditions, pushing it to achieve excellence.

The Millet Store at Glisshop

Working with Millet means sharing its values. At Glisshop, we are delighted to offer products from this brand that fosters a passion for the outdoors while remaining mindful of environmental impact.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, experienced skier, or mountaineer seeking gear, our team of experts is here to provide tailored advice and help you find the Millet product that best suits your needs.

Page 11 – Backpacks