Sneakers vs Trainers Checker
Check if you're using the correct footwear term for Ireland
In Ireland, the word you hear most on the street isn’t ‘sneakers’-it’s ‘trainers.’ Walk into a shop in Galway, Cork, or even Dublin’s Grafton Street, and you’ll hear customers asking for ‘new trainers for the weekend’ or ‘waterproof trainers for the hikes in the Wicklow Mountains.’ The term ‘sneakers’? It’s mostly reserved for American TV shows, online retailers, or the occasional expat trying to sound local. But here’s the thing: people still wear them. Just not by that name.
Why ‘Trainers’ Dominates in Ireland
The word ‘trainers’ stuck in Ireland because of how sportswear entered everyday life here. In the 1980s and 90s, British sports brands like Adidas, Nike, and Reebok pushed their products through school PE programs and local GAA clubs. Kids didn’t buy ‘sneakers’-they got ‘trainers’ to run drills on muddy pitches at Croke Park or to keep their feet dry on the trails of the Burren. The term became part of the vernacular, like ‘lads’ for boys or ‘grand’ for okay.
Today, if you walk into Superdrug in Limerick or Boots in Dundalk, the shoe aisle is labeled ‘Trainers.’ Online, Irish retailers like Decathlon Ireland a French sports retailer with over 10 locations across Ireland, offering affordable and durable footwear for hiking, running, and casual wear or Paddywack a Dublin-based online retailer specializing in Irish-made and locally sourced sportswear and footwear use ‘trainers’ in every product title. Even the Irish version of Amazon.co.uk defaults to ‘trainers’ when you search for athletic shoes.
The Cultural Divide: Sneakers vs. Trainers
Sneakers, as a term, carries a different vibe. In the U.S., it’s tied to streetwear culture, limited drops, and hypebeast culture. In Ireland, footwear is less about status and more about function. Rain is the real fashion police here. You don’t buy ‘sneakers’ to match your outfit-you buy trainers to survive a sudden downpour on the DART train, a muddy walk from the bus stop in Ballina, or a Sunday hike in the Mourne Mountains.
That’s why brands like Clarks a British shoe brand with a strong presence in Ireland, known for durable, weather-resistant casual footwear and Birkenstock a German brand popular in Ireland for its supportive, water-friendly sandals and casual slides, often worn as indoor-outdoor footwear sell well here-not because they’re trendy, but because they last. You’ll see grandmas in Sligo wearing their Clarks trainers with wool socks, and students in Trinity College carrying their worn-out Nike trainers after three winters of Dublin rain.
Who Still Says ‘Sneakers’?
You’ll hear ‘sneakers’ mostly from three groups: American tourists asking for directions to the nearest ‘sneaker store,’ young people who’ve grown up on Instagram and TikTok trends, and online shoppers who copy-paste product names from U.S. sites. But even then, they’re usually buying ‘trainers’-they just don’t know it yet.
At the annual Galway International Oyster Festival a major Irish cultural event held every September in Galway, where casual footwear like trainers is essential for walking between stalls and seaside venues, you won’t see anyone in glossy white ‘sneakers.’ You’ll see waterproof trainers with grip soles, because the ground is wet, the air is salty, and no one wants to slip on oyster shells.
The Practical Reality: What Irish People Actually Buy
Here’s what sells in Ireland’s sportswear market in 2025:
- Waterproof trainers-brands like Merrell a U.S.-based outdoor footwear brand popular in Ireland for its rugged, weather-resistant designs suitable for Irish terrain and Columbia an American outdoor brand with strong sales in Ireland due to its affordable, rain-ready footwear dominate.
- Low-top canvas shoes-like Converse or Vans-sold more for style than sport, often worn with jeans and a hoodie in Galway’s Latin Quarter.
- Running trainers with arch support-because so many people walk the Wild Atlantic Way or cycle the Dublin canals.
- Indoor-outdoor slippers-yes, these count as footwear. Brands like Birkenstock and Crocs a Canadian brand widely worn in Ireland for their easy-clean, slip-on design, especially in homes and pubs are common in kitchens and pubs alike.
Forget the glossy ads from New York. Irish consumers care about durability, grip, and whether the shoes dry out by morning. A €120 pair of ‘sneakers’ from a boutique brand won’t sell if it’s not waterproof. But a €70 pair of Merrell trainers? Sold out in two weeks after the first big rainstorm.
The Generational Shift
Younger Irish people-those under 25-are starting to use ‘sneakers’ more. They’re influenced by global TikTok trends, American influencers, and online retailers like ASOS and Zalando. But even then, they’ll say, ‘I bought these new sneakers online,’ then walk into the shop and ask, ‘Do you have these in trainers?’
It’s not that ‘sneakers’ is wrong-it’s just not how we talk. Language in Ireland is shaped by weather, terrain, and practicality. We don’t say ‘football’ for soccer because we have our own game. We don’t say ‘sneakers’ because we have a word that works better: trainers.
What This Means for Brands and Shoppers
If you’re selling footwear in Ireland, don’t call them ‘sneakers’ on your website or in-store signage. Use ‘trainers.’ Highlight waterproofing, breathability, and non-slip soles. Mention real Irish locations: ‘Perfect for the Cliffs of Moher,’ ‘Ideal for the Galway city walk,’ ‘Built for Dublin’s rainy commutes.’
And if you’re shopping? Don’t waste time searching for ‘sneakers.’ Type ‘trainers’ into Google or walk into any local shop. You’ll find better options, better prices, and shoes that actually survive the Irish climate.
Final Thought: It’s Not About the Word-It’s About the Wear
People still wear them. Just not the way you think. The shoes themselves? They’re everywhere. On students rushing to class in University College Cork. On grandparents walking the promenade in Wexford. On runners on the Phoenix Park trails. On tourists trying to keep dry on the Ring of Kerry.
So yes, people still wear sneakers. But in Ireland, they call them trainers. And if you want to fit in, so should you.
Do Irish people say ‘sneakers’ at all?
Rarely. The standard term is ‘trainers.’ You might hear ‘sneakers’ from tourists, young people influenced by American media, or online shoppers, but in everyday speech, shops, and conversations, ‘trainers’ is the norm.
Are ‘trainers’ and ‘sneakers’ the same thing?
Yes, they refer to the same type of footwear-casual, rubber-soled, athletic shoes. The difference is purely regional language. ‘Sneakers’ is American English; ‘trainers’ is British and Irish English.
What’s the best brand for trainers in Ireland?
It depends on your needs. For waterproof, rugged use, Merrell and Columbia are top picks. For everyday comfort, Clarks and Birkenstock are popular. Budget shoppers often go for Decathlon Ireland or JD Sports. For style, Vans and Converse still sell well in cities like Galway and Dublin.
Why don’t Irish people buy ‘sneakers’ online?
They do-but they search for ‘trainers.’ Online retailers like ASOS and Amazon UK auto-correct searches to ‘trainers’ for Irish customers. Buying ‘sneakers’ online often leads to confusion, wrong sizing, or delivery delays because the product descriptions don’t match local search habits.
Is ‘sneakers’ considered un-Irish?
Not un-Irish-just not natural. Language evolves, and younger generations are adopting more global terms. But using ‘sneakers’ in Ireland still sounds like you’re quoting a movie or trying too hard to sound American. Locals appreciate when you match the local word.
