Close up of male's feet hiking/climbing.

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How to choose your Millet hiking boot size

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker, it's vital to be well equipped for hiking. Your feet are under constant stress. So it's very important to choose a pair of shoes in which you feel comfortable and safe. There are various criteria to take into account when choosing a Millet hiking boot, such as foot protection, size, grip of the sole, rigidity, etc. The Speck-Sports team has put together this short guide to help you find the size and type of Millet men's and women's boot that suits you best.

Millet hiking boots are made up of four components. It's important to take these into account, as they influence the choice of boot.

The upper

This is the upper part of the shoe. The choice of height - high, low or mid - depends on the type of terrain you will be walking on. The upper can be made from different materials (mesh, nubuck, leather, etc.) with different characteristics (breathability, waterproofing, durability, flexibility, resistance, etc.).

Cushioning or midsole

The intermediate part between the insole and the outsole, its function is to absorb the shocks that occur when the feet come into contact with the ground. The cushioning (or midsole) therefore takes the strain off the joints and lumbar region.

The stone guard

Covering the ball of the foot, this rigid part protects your toes from any impact. It can extend over the back or cover the entire contour of the foot. The more it covers, the greater the shoe's protection against abrasion, and the longer it lasts.

Self-locking hooks

Located in the middle or at the top of the hiking boot, they enable the boot to be laced securely. The laces are held in place with a precise adjustment, so the foot stays firmly in place.

Criteria to consider when choosing a Millet hiking boot

To choose the right pair of boots for your activity, it's important to think carefully about rigidity, grip, support, shoe size, waterproofing and protection.

Sole grip

Depending on the type of terrain you're hiking on, your expectations are not the same.

-Grip enables progress on soft, greasy and unstable terrain (mud, sand, snow) thanks to deep, sculpted crampons.
-Grip, on the other hand, refers to the ability to adhere to a smooth, hard surface thanks to wide, shallow crampons.

Waterproofing

If you want to spend your days walking in good conditions, there are shoes with GORE-TEX technology. Their membrane allows your feet to breathe, protecting them from wind and rain while staying dry.

Shoe size

During exercise, your foot will change volume. You'll also be wearing a pair of hiking socks. It's therefore advisable to choose a shoe that's 1 to 2 cm longer than your foot. This will prevent your foot from bumping up against the toe of the shoe and causing injury. As for width, it's advisable to keep it within 10mm of the width of your forefoot.

Foot protection

The level of protection depends on the height of the shoe's upper. The higher the upper, the more the foot is protected. The hiker's level also has an influence. Beginner hikers need more protection, with very good ankle support.

Shoe rigidity

A rigid shoe provides stability and protection on technical terrain. A flexible shoe, on the other hand, favors foot roll and offers greater freedom of movement.

Shoe support

Rigid shoes with high uppers provide better stability and support, and therefore considerably reduce the risk of injury.

The different types of hiking boots

The choice of hiking boots depends on the route you are aiming for.

For long distances, pairs of high boots are well suited. They provide good ankle support and comfort. Lightweight and summery, low boots are perfect for hiking on easy paths with little change in altitude. They are flexible, breathable and have good grip. Pairs of mountaineering boots are heavy and suited to alpine conditions. They are very sturdy and protect against cold and damp. Trail shoes are flexible and suitable for walking on paths. They are very light, making them ideal for short hikes.

Now that you know what makes a hiking boot and what criteria to take into account, you're probably wondering what size Millet boot to choose?

Millet size guide

To help you find the shoe size from the Millet collection that's right for you, the Speck-Sports team has put together this guide.

Measure your feet

The Speck-Sports team can provide you with a pedimeter. Simply print it out to the correct scale (100%), fold the sheet along the lines and place the fold against a wall. Next, place your strongest foot flat on the sheet with the heel firmly against the wall. Bend your legs slightly and draw a mark in front of your longest toe. Then measure your foot to find your shoe size.

See the foot gauge

Shoe size conversion chart

Speck-Sports offers a table of Millet boot size equivalents. Please note the difference between men's and women's sizes for US sizes. UK sizes make no difference between men's and women's sizes.

UK SIZE	FOOT (CM)	EUROPE	US MEN	US WOMEN
3.5	22.3	36	4.5	5.5
4	22.8	36 2/3	5	6
4.5	23.3	37 1/3	5.5	6.5
5	23.7	38	6	7
5.5	24.2	38 2/3	6.5	7.5
6	24.7	39 1/3	7	8
6.5	25.2	40	7.5	8.5
7	25.6	40 2/3	8	9
7.5	26.1	41 1/3	8.5	9.5
8	26.6	42	9	10
8.5	27.1	42 2/3	9.5	10.5
9	27.5	43 1/3	10	11
9.5	28	44	10.5	11.5
10	28.5	44 2/3	11	12
10.5	29	45 1/3	11.5	12.5
11	29.4	46	12	13
11.5	29.9	46 2/3	12.5	13.5
12	30.4	47 1/3	13	14
12.5	30.9	48	13.5	14.5

We hope this article has helped you understand that choosing a pair of hiking boots is crucial. It depends on a number of factors. The better the boots you choose, the lower the risk of injury, particularly to the ankles. That's why it's so important to take the information in this article into account when choosing the right Millet boots for you.

See Millet hiking boots