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This Trend-Busting New Trail Runner Makes the Case for Breaking Up with Your Hokas

The Notace Yama T1 is a direct departure from the max-cushion frenzy that has dominated the last decade.

A close-up of a hand holding a black and white sneaker with a textured black mesh and a white heel area featuring a logo and the word "Notace." The sneaker appears slightly worn, and the background is blurred.Notace

By Hayley Helms

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Flat sneakers are making a comeback in the fashion world (thank you, Adidas Sambas,) and although I have yet to see trail running shoes return to a minimal aesthetic en masse, a recently unveiled brand is zeroing in on the zero drop movement.

Meet Notace, the new footwear brand making the case for a return to natural movement and a stripping away of anything unnecessary, leaving only the essentials.

A black and white athletic shoe with black laces resting on a textured rock surface, set against a blurred natural background with green foliage. The shoe features a white upper with black accents along the sides and sole.
The Yama T1 is a refreshing aesthetic departure from the dominance of max-cushion design.
Notace

Although you might mistake it for a lifestyle shoe thanks to its Japanese-inspired aesthetic, Notace’s first shoe, the Yama T1, is designed for hiking, running and exploring.

Zero drop, tons of style

The Yama T1 addresses a gap in the over-cushioned running market by placing a premium on minimalism supporting foot health, and does so with a few intentional design choices.

Close-up of the front part of a white sneaker with black laces and a black sole, resting on a textured, multicolored stone surface. The sneaker has a perforated design on the upper material.
The toebox allows for toes to splay, but doesn’t look gimmicky.
Notace

The Yama T1 is quite light, weighing in at 7.5 ounces per pair. The footshaped toebox allows toes to splay naturally, without looking gimmicky.

I know this firsthand (or, first-foot?), as I’ve been running and walking in a pair for the past month, and the wider toebox is discrete enough that I’ve even been wearing these as everyday sneakers.

Person wearing black pants with white piping, cream and black sneakers, a dark gray sweatshirt, and a blue cap, taking a mirror selfie in a room with wooden floors and a patterned black and white rug. The other image shows a close-up of the person's crossed legs on a colorful patterned carpet.
The Yama T1 looks right at home as a lifestyle shoe — you can barely tell the toebox is wider than an ordinary shoe.
Hayley Helms for Gear Patrol

The Yama T1 isn’t overbuilt, and that’s one of its many charms.

Discrete capability

I’ve been wearing these on the trail as well as around town, and I like that they’re a capable alternative to more popular styles like the Samba. While it looks fashion-forward, the Yama T1 still packs a ton of tech into its minimal packaging.

Black shoe soles with geometric tread patterns and white accents, shown from the bottom. The soles have a combination of triangular and linear grooves for traction. The brand name "Kotacc" is embossed near the center of each sole.
Forward-, rear-angled and neutral 3mm lugs work together for a cohesive, stable ride.
Notace

The zero drop ensures natural foot positioning, while the 3mm lugs provide just enough grip to maintain stability on trails.

The lugs themselves are multi-directional, angled to provide reliable braking downhill, grip to climb and lateral stability to maintain balance on uneven terrain.

Pair of beige and black sneakers viewed from above, featuring black laces and black inner soles with a white infinity symbol and the word "Notace" printed on them. The sneakers have a mesh-like texture on the beige upper part and a black sole.
The elegant simplicity of the Yama T1 belies its biomechanics.
Notace

The eTPU midsole is supportive without being anywhere close to squishy; if you’re used to max-cushion running shoes this might be an adjustment, but in my experience, these feel great underfoot.

The Yama T1 is available in three subtle colorways: “Ivory,” “Black” and “Black with White.”

Availability and pricing

Notace will be rolling out road and court styles in the coming months, but for now, the brand is focusing its energy on its inaugural style.

The Yama T1 is available now on Notace’s official website, retailing for $180.

About the Author:

Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in all things outdoors. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie, and Shape. Whether it’s tuning us into the joys of hiking and camping, or rigorously testing head-to-toe outdoor apparel, she leaves no stone unturned (though she always Leaves No Trace).

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