(photos: Millet)
Annecy’s streets were quiet in 1921 when Marc and Hermance Millet opened their modest workshop. Initially, the products were humble — shopping bags for local markets. But nestled between the Rhône River and the encircling Alps, the couple had a vision that extended far beyond commerce. They were intent on understanding the mountains themselves: how snow fell, how the wind cut across ridges, how climbers struggled under the weight of poorly designed gear. From these early observations came the seeds of a company that would become synonymous with alpine adventure.
By the late 1920s, Millet had moved to Annecy-le-Vieux, and the workshop’s focus shifted from everyday goods to equipment for the growing community of mountaineers in the French Alps. Backpacks were among the first dedicated alpine products, constructed with care to withstand the rigors of alpine terrain. Climbing was no longer a pastime for the few — it demanded thoughtful, durable equipment, and Millet was listening.
Annapurna 1950
“Millet equipped Maurice Herzog’s historic expedition — the first successful ascent of an 8,000-meter peak. Gear tested under extreme cold and high altitude, setting a standard for mountaineering reliability.”
The brand’s reputation accelerated in 1950 when Millet supplied gear to Maurice Herzog’s Annapurna expedition. The first successful ascent of an 8,000-meter peak placed Millet on the map, not just in Europe, but around the world. Climbers needed packs, sleeping bags, and apparel that could endure extreme cold and high altitudes. Millet’s commitment to reliability and innovation became a hallmark of the company’s ethos. It wasn’t enough for a bag to carry supplies; it had to feel invisible on the back of someone fighting the thin air above 8,000 meters.
Footwear Innovation
“From early alpine boots to modern designs, Millet has continually refined footwear to meet the demands of climbers and guides operating in some of the most challenging terrain on Earth.”
Footwear soon followed as an area of meticulous attention. Early mountaineers often faced frostbite, and the soles of their boots were frequently the weak link. Millet’s Everest Summit GTX boots gained recognition for combining insulation, rigidity, and durability in a way that few competitors could match. Guides in Chamonix and climbers in the Himalayas relied on Millet boots to hold up under punishing conditions. Stories of summits achieved, frostbite avoided, and climbers returning safely to base camp circulated in alpine circles, further cementing the brand’s reputation.
Return to Family Stewardship
“In 2022, the company returned to the founding family. Jean-Pierre Millet and Inspiring Sport Capital reclaimed the brand, reaffirming commitment to alpine heritage and long-term innovation.”
The company’s journey was not without turbulence. In 1973, the original Millet family sold the business, and in 1995 it was acquired by the Lafuma Group. Through these transitions, the core of the brand — its dedication to alpine exploration — remained intact, even as ownership and corporate strategy shifted. The return to family hands in 2022, under Jean-Pierre Millet and Inspiring Sport Capital, was more than a symbolic gesture. It marked a recommitment to the principles that had defined Millet for a century: respect for the mountains, investment in quality gear, and partnerships with those who live in the high places.
Guide Partnerships
“Official supplier to Grindelwald and Chamonix mountain guides. Every product is tested in real alpine conditions, informing design and ensuring performance for professionals and enthusiasts alike.”
Millet’s collaborations with alpine guide services illustrate this philosophy. The Grindelwald Mountain Guides and Chamonix Guides Company are not just sponsors or clients; they are testing grounds. Every product is evaluated by professionals navigating glaciers, ridges, and mixed terrain daily. The brand has been present on expeditions across the Alps, from Mont Blanc to the Eiger, and its gear has accompanied climbers on some of the highest Himalayan peaks. The feedback from guides and athletes directly informs design, and the resulting products are both rigorously functional and subtly elegant.
The story of Millet is also one of continuous innovation. In 2025, the UBIC collection was introduced, a line of backpacks designed for the modern alpine adventurer. UBIC represents the culmination of decades of experience in design, materials, and ergonomics. The packs balance versatility and performance, suitable for both day hikes and multi-day treks. What sets UBIC apart is the attention to sustainability: recycled fabrics, careful sourcing, and thoughtful construction that doesn’t compromise on durability. While product photographs provide a glimpse of the line, its true purpose is revealed in use — on shoulders under sun, rain, and snow, over trails that twist through the Alps’ most rugged terrain.
UBIC Collection 2025
“A new line of backpacks emphasizing versatility, performance, and sustainability. Designed for day hikes and multi-day treks, the UBIC line incorporates recycled fabrics without compromising durability.”
Millet’s enduring presence is not just a story of gear, but of a community. The brand has been part of mountaineering history, supporting climbers in their triumphs and failures. It has witnessed Himalayan summits, guided novices across treacherous cols, and equipped professional guides whose livelihoods depend on equipment that never fails. Each stitch and seam is part of that legacy, a tangible link to decades of alpine experience.
For those who follow mountain culture today, Millet’s narrative is both historic and immediate. It reflects a company that has navigated ownership changes, global market pressures, and evolving technologies without losing sight of its roots. Its equipment is used by elite climbers, weekend hikers, and guide services alike. The UBIC backpacks of 2025 are a testament to the brand’s commitment to relevance and performance, while remaining grounded in the philosophies that defined it from the beginning.
Millet and the High Places
“Nearly a century of alpine knowledge informs every product. From Himalayan summits to local Alps trails, Millet gear is a tangible connection to mountaineering history.”
In every piece of Millet gear, whether a pack, boot, or jacket, the influence of nearly a century of alpine knowledge is evident. It is a brand that has grown with the mountains themselves, learning from summits and descents alike, returning to family stewardship with a renewed vision. For readers, climbers, and partners alike, Millet is more than a product line; it is a living history of alpine exploration, a reminder that the best equipment comes from those who truly understand the high places.
