Why Is It So Incredibly Soft? The Notace 'Yama 1' Unveils a New Generation of Trail Shoes

When you picture trail shoes, you probably imagine a pair with hard, thick soles. But Notace's 'yama 1' is here to shatter that stereotype.

Unprecedentedly light and soft, what's the story behind this shoe's creation and design? We sat down with Kiyoshi Nakatani of Stride Inc., the distributor for Notace, to discuss the development background and design philosophy.

Too Thin or Too Thick? Notace Emerged from the Middle Ground

Even among the vast array of trail shoes, the Notace yama 1 stands out as something different. Weighing a mere 215g per shoe, it's so flexible that its toe can touch its heel.

You might feel a bit uncertain when you first slip them on, but that impression quickly vanishes once you start walking and running. You can feel the ground beneath your feet, yet the impact isn't harsh. It strikes a 'just right' balance.

So, what's the philosophy behind this unique feel? Let's start by looking at the brand's origins.

Notace is an American footwear brand founded in 2025. Its founder, Cedric Scott, studied biomechanics in graduate school and later honed his craft at ALTRA, XERO SHOES, and VIVOBAREFOOT, always pursuing shoe design that prioritizes foot health.

"Our mission is to create a shoe that enables natural foot movement—something that is neither a barefoot shoe nor a conventional maximalist shoe," explains Nakatani.

This mission stemmed from a sense of unease with the current footwear market.

"The market is largely divided into two extremes: the minimalist, barefoot-style shoes and the maximalist, thick-soled shoes that emphasize cushioning and propulsion. The former allows for a good feel of the ground but can be too impactful for some. The latter excels in comfort and protection, but on the other hand, the shoe's features can excessively take over the foot's natural functions and sensations."

Too thin or too thick? Notace was born as an option between these two extremes, and the yama 1 is the first model to embody that philosophy.

The 15.5mm Sole: A Balance That Doesn't Sacrifice Sensation

"Feel the ground, but without harsh impact." The key to this exquisite balance is the 15.5mm stack height (sole thickness).

"We arrived at 15.5mm after searching for a way to achieve both goals: retaining the sensation of receiving information from the ground while suppressing sharp stimuli like small rocks or protrusions. If it's too thin, the stimulation on the sole is too strong, which can lead to unnatural movements. Conversely, if it's too thick, you lose the feel for the ground, and it becomes difficult to draw out the foot's natural functions."

In other words, this 15.5mm thickness was determined to be the sweet spot that allows for both ground feel and protection.

This perfectly engineered sole thickness, combined with other special design elements, also enhances flexibility. In fact, the yama 1 bends with a suppleness that’s astounding for a trail shoe. Its defining characteristic is achieving this level of softness that follows the foot's every move while still providing essential cushioning.

"However, the goal of making it soft isn't for comfort. It's purely to make the foot easier to move and to allow its natural functions to be used properly. The foot's movement is extremely complex, including not only forward-and-back motion but also lateral sway and twisting.

"If the sole is too stiff, the shoe can't follow these subtle movements, making it difficult to utilize the natural shock absorption and rebound functions of the toes and arches. That's precisely why this model emphasizes flexibility that doesn't hinder the foot's movement."

Zero-Drop Construction, Foot-Shape Design, and 3mm Lugs: The Keys to Natural Foot Movement

Alongside flexibility, a zero-drop construction is crucial for unleashing your foot's natural capabilities.

"This is a design that eliminates any height difference between the toe and the heel. It allows you to stand with your entire foot flat on the ground, promoting a natural posture and helping to activate your foot's full potential. This also contributes to injury prevention."

Another key feature is the design that lets your toes splay. In conventional shoes with narrow toe boxes, your toes get cramped, making it hard to properly use your soles and toes. That's why we've adopted a foot-shape design, allowing all five toes to spread naturally and enhancing your feel for the ground.

What's more, the next-generation eTPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane) midsole, with its fine-cell foam structure, delivers an impressive blend of responsiveness, shock absorption, lightness, and durability. And there's a purpose behind the 3mm lugs on the outsole, too.

"These lugs aren't too deep, but they're not too shallow either. This gives them a balanced performance on climbs, flats, and descents, making the shoe versatile enough for city runs and walks, not just trails."

Beyond Softness: A Clear Philosophy of 'Keeping Your Feet Active'

User feedback highlights the shoe's unique characteristics.

"We've heard from users who say, \"I love that I can feel the ground while still feeling secure and protected,\" and \"The sensation of my toes spreading out is refreshing.\" It seems the feeling of using your soles and toes naturally is what directly translates to comfort."

Admittedly, if you're used to maximalist or high-drop shoes, the close-to-the-ground feel might be a bit surprising at first. We recommend starting with short walks, listening to your body, and then gradually increasing your distance.

It's not a maximalist shoe, nor is it a barefoot one. The yama 1 carves out a new middle ground. It protects your feet without dulling their natural senses. This core philosophy has the potential to set a new benchmark for trail running shoes.