Notace
From Altra to Notace: Cedric Scotto Redefines Barefoot with Japanese Philosophy
After working at Altra, Xero Shoes, and Vivobarefoot, Cedric moved to Japan for a year and founded Notace — an experiment in making barefoot wearable for everyone.
What Three Brands Taught Him
Cedric spent over a decade in barefoot. Altra invented zero-drop but drifted after acquisition. Xero Shoes — minimalism to the extreme, feet hurt after a full day. Vivobarefoot — closest to barefoot philosophy but expensive and complex. All three convinced consumers to accept barefoot. Nobody made barefoot as easy as regular sneakers. 'Barefoot shouldn't be a religion,' he says. 'It should be an option.'
What Japan Taught Him
Cedric moved to Japan for a year to study how Japanese makers build products. He found unique restraint: no feature-stacking, no slogans, do one thing perfectly. Michi 1 is 165g with 4mm Vibram EcoStep — one of the thinnest trail rubbers on market. Foot-shaped wide toe box, no unnecessary support. Every decision points to one goal: forget you're wearing shoes. Not + Ace = blend into life.
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