Notace Koto 1 Men's – Natural Court & Training Shoe

Grounded. Foot-Shaped. Built to Move Naturally.

The Notace Koto 1 Men's is a zero-drop performance shoe built for athletes who want their feet closer to the ground, their toes free to spread and their footwear to move with them rather than control them.

Designed primarily for court sports, gym training and everyday movement, the Koto 1 combines a foot-shaped wide toe box, neutral 0mm-drop platform and fully articulated outsole to encourage natural movement while maintaining the stability and security needed for multidirectional activity.

Underfoot, a next-generation eTPU midsole adds lightweight cushioning without creating an overly thick platform. A 19mm stack height keeps the shoe low and grounded, while the non-marking rubber outsole uses a strategically positioned herringbone tread pattern for multidirectional grip.

For the Tribe&Trail community, the Koto 1 offers something different: a performance shoe that can complement your running and hiking footwear by giving your feet a more natural, grounded platform for strength work, gym sessions, court sports and everyday movement.

0mm Drop – A Naturally Balanced Platform

The Koto 1 features an even 19mm stack from heel to forefoot, creating a true 0mm heel-to-toe drop.

Instead of elevating the heel above the forefoot, your heel and toes sit at the same height from the ground.

This creates a neutral platform designed to encourage natural foot positioning and provide a more direct connection with the surface beneath you.

For athletes accustomed to conventional footwear with a higher heel-to-toe drop, transitioning gradually to zero-drop footwear is a sensible approach while your feet and lower legs adapt.

Foot-Shaped Toe Box – Let Your Toes Spread

One of the defining characteristics of the Koto 1 is its foot-shaped toe box.

Rather than tapering aggressively around the forefoot, the Koto gives your toes more room to spread and move naturally.

Notace combines this generous forefoot with a precise heel and midfoot fit, giving you room where your toes need it without sacrificing the secure feel required for performance. The brand recommends choosing the same size as your current most comfortable shoes.

Wide Toe Box + Secure Midfoot + Locked-In Heel

For runners and hikers already interested in foot-shaped footwear, the Koto extends that same natural-movement philosophy into the gym and court environment.

19mm Stack – Feel More of What's Under Your Feet

Modern athletic footwear has increasingly moved towards taller stacks and more cushioning.

The Koto takes a different approach.

At just 19mm underfoot, it provides some cushioning while maintaining a lower, more grounded feel.

That lower platform is particularly relevant during activities involving:

• Lateral movement
• Strength training
• Direction changes
• Balance work
• Court sports
• Gym training
• Everyday movement

Instead of separating your foot from the surface with a large volume of foam, the Koto is designed to provide protection while preserving ground connection.

Next-Generation eTPU Midsole

Minimal doesn't have to mean completely uncushioned.

The Koto 1 uses a next-generation eTPU midsole, which Notace describes as delivering lightweight construction with a softer underfoot feel.

This gives the Koto a useful middle ground between highly minimal barefoot-style footwear and heavily cushioned modern athletic shoes.

For Tribe&Trail customers interested in foot strength and natural movement, that's an important distinction.

You still get underfoot protection for modern hard surfaces while maintaining the low, neutral geometry central to the Koto's design.

Flexible Herringbone Outsole

Court sports require a very different outsole from trail or road running.

The Koto 1 uses a non-marking rubber outsole with strategically placed herringbone tread, designed to provide multidirectional grip while allowing the foot to move and pivot.

The outsole is fully articulated to complement the natural movement of the foot rather than relying on excessive stiffness.

That makes it particularly suited to:

• Tennis
• Padel
• Pickleball
• Court training
• Gym workouts
• Multidirectional strength and conditioning

Locked-In Midfoot Fit

A wide toe box is useful, but during fast lateral movement you don't want your entire foot moving around inside the shoe.

Notace addresses this with a unique PU cage and lock-in lacing system designed to provide a secure, personalised fit through the midfoot.

Targeted forefoot and heel reinforcements further support the foot during multidirectional movement.

The philosophy is straightforward:

Freedom at the toes. Security where you need it.

290g Men's Weight

The Koto 1 Men's weighs approximately:

290g – Men's US 9

Considering its court-focused rubber outsole, reinforced construction and secure upper, the Koto maintains a relatively streamlined design while still providing the structure needed for training and multidirectional movement.

Key Features

• Men's natural-movement court and training shoe
• 0mm heel-to-toe drop
• 19mm stack height
• Foot-shaped wide toe box
• Secure heel and midfoot
• Next-generation eTPU midsole
• Lightweight cushioning
• Fully articulated outsole
• Non-marking rubber
• Strategically positioned herringbone tread
• Unique PU cage
• Lock-in lacing system
• Forefoot and heel reinforcement
• Designed for multidirectional movement
• Approx. 290g – Men's US 9
• Suitable for court sports, gym training and everyday use