# Natural-Design Court Shoes Notace Launches the Koto 1 Tennis Shoe for Outdoor Use By Kanesa David | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-03-26 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koto-1 References: [forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2026/03/11/notace-entering-tennis-footwear-with-natural-design-in-koto-1/) & [notace](https://notace.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo8lLY5Yryohmso2mctD_b1ObQepy1M1TG5OF7IiLpjZEuT6YwF)  Notace, a natural-footwear brand led by Cedric Scotto, launched the Koto 1 this March as its first [racket-sport shoe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-tennis-shoe), designed for tennis, padel and pickleball. The Koto 1 features a [wide toe box](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stan-smith-sq) and a zero-drop midsole, offering a natural foot position while including cushioning for protection. To adapt natural design to court play, Notace used a firmer, non-stretch upper with PU reinforcements and a thicker insole to secure the midfoot and heel; the shoe uses a responsive eTPU foam and weighs about 10.2 ounces in a men’s size 9. The visual nods to 1990s tennis aesthetics and the build aims to balance a roomy forefoot with lockdown where it matters. For players, the Koto 1 promises a different fit experience that keeps toes splayed for stability without sacrificing lateral support or cushioning, retailing at $165 and debuting March 13. Its arrival signals a niche shift as [natural-footwear makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-performance) move from running to performance court categories. Image Credit: Notace ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.6/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 66% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Natural-footwear Performance:** A migration of natural-running design principles into court-specific shoes creates potential for performance footwear that prioritizes foot splay and proprioception while retaining protective cushioning. - **Wide-toe Stability:** Broader forefoot platforms paired with targeted midfoot lockdown enable new stability paradigms that reconcile natural toe spread with aggressive lateral movements on court. - **Retro-aesthetic Revival:** Nineties-inspired visual cues combined with modern materials suggest a marketplace for nostalgia-driven performance products that blend heritage styling with technical innovation. ### Where This Applies - **Athletic-footwear:** Manufacturers and brands face opportunities to develop specialized court lines that integrate zero-drop platforms, responsive foams, and reinforced uppers for sport-specific demands. - **Sports-apparel-and-accessories:** Accessory makers and apparel lines could benefit from complementary products designed around natural-footwear ergonomics, such as socks, insoles, and support wear tuned to wider toe boxes. - **Orthopedics-and-biomechanics:** Clinicians and biomechanical researchers are positioned to explore injury-prevention and performance outcomes linked to natural-footwear geometries and altered load distributions during lateral court motions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Minimal Earthy Tonal Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gato-sneaker.md) - [Luxury Leather Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-tie-20.md) - [80s Athletics-Inspired Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nikoletta.md) - [Table Tennis Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marty-supreme-x-koyo-bear.md) - [Nature-Inspired Limited Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kype-pro-limited-edition.md) - [Collaborative Futuristic Footwear Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/space-available-1.md) - [Nature-Inspired Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ub10s-gelkayano-20.md) - [Sport-Infused Shoe Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/june-ambrose-x-naturalizer.md) - [Luxe Split-Toe Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ilargi-ff.md)