Notace Yama T1 Review | Minimal Trail Shoe with Maximum Ground Feel and Traction

Notace is a new shoe company and I was excited to try out their first trail shoe, the Notace Yama T1. 

 Right out of the box I noticed how lightweight and flexible the shoe is, in addition to a very rounded and roomy toe box.  This shoe is not for every runner since it is truly a minimalist shoe lover’s dream with zero drop and only a 15mm stack height.

This new shoe company believes in the “less is more” approach when it comes to footwear and keeps their shoes simple, functional, and honors the way the foot is intended to move. 

Notace Yama T1 Overview

As a barefoot training specialist, I really like the idea of a shoe with a natural foot shape and zero drop.  As a running coach, I know that this type of shoe is not for everyone. 

As an avid Altra trail running shoe user, I did not have a problem transitioning into this shoe.  It was comfortable on my foot from the get-go! I did not need to use a heel lock, the laces did not dig into any part of my foot and the shoes felt secure.  I have a wide foot and they were not overly snug on any part of my foot.

Since I’ve been mostly marathon training, I have not been out running as many trails.  I also have been using shoes with a higher stack and with at least a 5mm heel to toe drop so my number one goal when testing these shoes was to not over do it too quickly. 

If you are new to a zero drop, minimalist shoe I advise you to do the same.

I did run a little slower and was very aware of my feet touching down on the rocky trail.  I liked the workout for the muscles in my feet, but if I were in a race I’d rather have more cushion and bounce with each step and less worry about landing hard on a sharp rock. 

I did really enjoy these shoes on sandy, dirt roads that were more buttery smooth.  I ran faster and much more at ease.

These shoes would not be my first choice for a trail race.  For one thing, I accumulated sand and debris inside the shoes during my runs.  The ankle opening is roomy and does not come up very high, therefore it makes it an easy target for little rocks to find their way in.  If they want to expand into more of the trail running and racing market, Notace should consider a built in gaiter or attachable gaiter.

I experienced very little slipping or sliding going on loose scree when climbing and descending.  I was a little surprised since the traction does not jump out as being overly aggressive with large, deep lugs.

The ivory color did show the dust but I rinsed them off after my run and they were not too discolored.  The outer material, despite it being so soft and flexible does seem to repel a lot of dust and moisture versus soaking it up and making it more difficult to clean.

The shoe looks classy.  The colors and design are beautiful and in no way does the wide toe look like a “clown shoe” from the past with wide toe boxes.  The black overlay with the outsole over the ivory toe box minimizes the look of how wide they run.  I would feel comfortable wearing this shoe out and about or to the gym.

However, the colorway reminds me a lot of the Mount to Coast T1 trail shoe.  I like the simplicity of the name and title since it is easy to remember and is relatable to what it would be used for, but I am surprised in how similar they look and how they are both a T1.

Notace Yama T1 Fit

When I first tried them on, I felt like they ran a little short in length but the toe box was really roomy and allowed my toes to wiggle and splay.  The materials used for the upper part of the shoe were flexible and soft enough to not dig into any part of my foot.

The Notace Yama T1 felt great on my feet from the very first run.  The website says to order up ½ size which I did not do but would consider if I were to order another pair. 

I had no hot spots on my feet while running in these shoes and absolutely no rubbing on the toes.  The wide toe box on this shoe is exceptional.

They were roomy and I was never in a hurry to take them off post run.  They are flexible and have a 15mm stack height which is really nice out on the trails.  The insole is also removable if you want a little more ground feel. The tongue is thin and not cushioned.  I had zero lace bite into the top of my foot and the tongue did a nice job of staying in place.

Notace Yama T1 Feel

These shoes are very comfortable and offer superb ground feel when out on the trails.  They are so light, it’s almost like running barefoot.  Depending on the type of runner you are and the terrain you are running on, this could be either a good or bad thing. 

You will feel all the rocks underfoot and luckily I did not encounter any big thorns out on the trails.  If you are not a desert runner like me, these shoes would be perfect on soft, squishy dirt like what I would envision the Pacific Northwest to be like. 

The fabric on the upper part of the shoe is light and breathable and did a nice job of repelling most of the dust.  They are not a responsive shoe and do not feel particularly “fast” but I did appreciate the workout for my feet and ankles.  I will continue to use these shoes on less rugged terrain and, for now, shorter runs anywhere from 3-10 miles.

Similar Shoes to the Notace Yama T1

We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:

What to Read Next?

• Best Low Drop Running Shoes
• Best Trail Running Gifts
• Chirp Halo Review