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Trail running shoes are a dime a dozen these days. It seems like there is a new trail shoe dropping almost daily, and they all look the kind of the same. That’s why the new Notace Yama T1 minimalist outdoor shoes are review-worthy.
This new trail running/hiking shoe looks great and performs great. It is a minimalist anatomical fitting shoe created by Cedric Scotto, shoe designer with a background in biomechanics research, running specialty, and global footwear development. He specifically made the new Yama T1 for natural movement with a purposeful, Japanese-inspired design. It’s a minimalist shoe stripped of the unnecessary, so nothing gets in the way. The new Yama T1 is designed for running, hiking, and exploring.
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What It Is
At its core, the Yama T1 is a comfortable shoe that you can do basically any activity in, except perhaps off-trail hiking or climbing, such as bouldering or traversing scree fields. The low-profile shoes are ideal for everything from walking around town to a high-alpine trail run.
Courtesy Image
Cedric Scotto has worked with shoe brands such as Altra and Xero Shoes, and helped launch Vivobarefoot in Denver, CO. Yama is the next step in the zero-drop barefoot running shoe evolution for him, drawing on his time in Japan, where he connected with the Ikigai philosophy of clean lines and intentional craftsmanship.
Notace Yama T1 Overall Impressions
I tested out the Yama T1’s hiking and running through the California Redwoods in Northern California, and they handled everything I encountered with ease. On the 6-mile hike through the dense forest, the shoes easily handled rock hopping, water crossings, logs, loose dirt, and even some mud.
David Young
My first impression when putting them on is how comfortable and light the shoes are, combined with how sleek and good they look. The material is soft and breathable, yet strong and flexible. The laces are strong and really lock the foot securely into the shoe while running on a trail. I wore them for the entire trip, from airports to the streets in San Francisco and the shorelines of the Pacific.
The shoes work best on soft dirt trails and even sand. The hard concrete or rocks put some pressure on my feet, but overall, the shoes are quite comfortable and move seamlessly from walking and hiking to trail running.
Key Features and Tech
Digging into the design a bit more, the shoes offer a nice, wide foot shape toe-box, allowing your toes to naturally splay out with each step. The heel-to-toe drop is 0mm, and the weight is a mere 7.5 ounces, which makes it feel like you are wearing a slipper. The total stack height is 15mm, and the 3mm lugs provide a bit of stability and traction, but you won’t want to do anything too gnarly in these.
To provide more grip and traction on loose or wet terrain, the lugs are angled in three different directions. They offered solid traction for on-trail ascents and descents. One consideration is that with a lower stack height, the insoles are very thin, and there’s not a lot of cushion. I felt every rock and root through the shoe. This may be in part because I have a larger frame, but in any tough terrain, the minimalist shoe won’t provide much cushion.
David Young
The shoes are created with a neutral heel-to-toe platform, which pairs with the runner’s natural gait, thus encouraging proper posture. The insole is an eTPU midsole that is light and soft, creating a flexible, balanced base. The midsole and TPU textured insoles are articulated with anatomical grooves for natural foot flex while hiking and running. Textured insoles are articulated with anatomical grooves for natural foot flex while hiking and running.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stylish
- Minimal
Cons
- Thin insoles
- Ivory version shows wear/dirt
Final Verdict
Overall, the Yama T1 shoes are a minimalist zero-drop shoe with low stack height and solid traction. They are ideal for running, walking, or hiking a variety of trails and conditions. The slipper-style feel of the shoes does promote the barefoot feel, creating natural movement.
David Young
Testing these from airports to trails overlooking the Pacific Ocean, they were comfortable, and I never experienced any hot spots or blisters. I encountered everything from sand to concrete streets, and the Yama T1 provides solid grip, stability, and comfort across the board for all conditions.
The only drawbacks to the shoes were some discomfort on rocky or root-prone trails. As a larger runner, I could feel sharp or hard objects through the shoe’s sole. The ivory version that I tested looks really sleek and sharp, but does show dirt and wear after extensive testing, which is to be expected for any light colored trail shoe. The Notace Yama T1s sell for $180, and if you are a fan of minimalist barefoot-style lightweight shoes, then these are a great option for you.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been testing and reviewing gear as an outdoor writer for more than 20 years. I’ve tested and reviewed everything from coolers and tents to fishing rods and hiking boots. As an outdoor adventure freelance writer, I’ve been published in Men’s Journal, Forbes, SKI Magazine, GearJunkie, 5280 Magazine, American Whiskey Magazine, and Colorado Avid Golfer. I am based in Colorado and cover everything from fly fishing and backcountry skiing to mountain biking, backpacking, and golfing.
