Activewear in Ireland: Synonyms, Styles, and Local Tips

If you walk into any sports shop in Ireland—say, Elverys on Grafton Street or even a Dunnes Stores out in Cork—you won’t just spot racks of “activewear.” Locals often call it sportswear, gym gear, or ‘trackies’ (for tracksuits), depending on if you’re heading for a workout, cycling along the Waterford Greenway, or just nipping down for a coffee in your leggings.

It’s handy to know these different names, especially if you’re new to Ireland and chatting to staff or browsing online with Irish shops like Gym+Coffee. If you ask for activewear, you’ll be well understood, but you’ll probably hear people say sports kit, workout clothes, or even athleisure—especially if they plan to wear it both at a spin class and while doing the weekly shop at SuperValu.

• The Many Names for Activewear in Ireland
• Local Takes: Irish Brands and Where to Find Them
• Activewear for the Irish Weather
• Making the Most of Your Wardrobe: Tips and Trends

The Many Names for Activewear in Ireland

Ask five different people in Ireland what they call their workout clothes, and you’ll get five different answers—sometimes all in one conversation. While activewear is popping up on labels and in ads, everyday Irish folks mix it up with other names depending on the setting, their age, and sometimes even their county.

Here are a few common names you’ll come across on this side of the Irish Sea:

• Sportswear – Probably the most straightforward, you’ll find this term in nearly every sports shop throughout Ireland. If you’re shopping for jerseys, leggings, or hoodies, this is a safe bet.
• Gym clothes – Used by people who are popping into Energie Fitness or PureGym, whether for a full-on session or a quiet stretch.
• Trackies – Short for tracksuits, often meaning comfy bottoms, sometimes matched with a zip-up top. Popular for both post-training pints and lounging at home.
• Athleisure – This one’s a newer arrival. It’s what you’ll hear from younger folks and the social media crowd, especially if they’re picking out something from Irish brands like Gym+Coffee or Peachylean. It covers anything from yoga pants you wear to brunch, to hoodies stylish enough for a casual day out.
• Kit – This can mean activewear, or sometimes actual team sports uniforms. It gets used in schools and clubs across Ireland, often in phrases like “grab your kit.”

If you head into any Penneys in Limerick or a lifestyle shop in Galway, you’ll see a mix of these terms—and usually entire aisles stacked with leggings, t-shirts, and hoodies labelled with one or more of them. Sometimes, what you call it depends on how you wear it. Someone walking through Phoenix Park after work in a tracksuit might say they’re wearing gym gear; someone else in the same outfit working remotely from a café will likely call it athleisure.

Just for a bit of perspective, here’s a look at how people in Ireland refer to their “activewear” based on a small survey run by an Irish fitness blog:

No need to overthink it—the right word just depends on where you are and who you’re talking to. If in doubt in Ireland, “sportswear” will almost always get you pointed in the right direction, but “activewear” is fast catching up—especially in bigger cities and among younger crowds.

Local Takes: Irish Brands and Where to Find Them

Ireland isn’t shy about homegrown sportswear success. The brand Gym+Coffee stands out everywhere—from Avoca shops to their flagship stores in Dublin, Cork, and Galway. Irish rugby star Brian O’Driscoll even backs them, and you’ll spot their simple hoodies at outdoor yoga in Phoenix Park or early morning sea swims at Sandycove. They mix city style with gear that’ll actually handle a run in the rain.

Another favourite, McKeever Sports, is known for their team kits—especially for GAA clubs up and down the country. If you’re shopping for local teams or want something for a five-a-side in Blessington, check out their stores in Armagh or order online for delivery anywhere in Ireland.

O’Neills is the backbone for anyone playing camogie or football in the local club. You can’t go far in Ireland without seeing their classic GAA shorts or half-zips. Dublin and Cork have store fronts, but they’re also all over the web and stocked at regional sports shops.

If you prefer big international brands, check Life Style Sports and Elverys, which both stock global names—Nike, Adidas, Under Armour—but also give Irish labels good shelf space. For bargains, the outlet village in Kildare is a safe bet, as is picking up last season’s gear for less at TK Maxx branches in every major city.

Shopping tip: Loads of smaller Irish towns have quality independent sports shops. You’ll get advice that’s actually useful for your local club, gym, or running club. Don’t rule out local markets either. Sometimes you’ll stumble on an up-and-coming Irish brand that isn’t online yet but makes gear perfect for the next Parkrun in Marlay Park.

Activewear for the Irish Weather

Ask anyone living in Ireland—what you wear to work out depends as much on the weather as on what activity you're doing. The Irish climate has a mind of its own: drizzly mornings, random cold snaps, and bursts of sunshine that last all of twenty minutes. So, picking the right activewear can actually make your workouts more comfortable and keep you from feeling like a soggy mess.

Here, layering is king. People usually start with a moisture-wicking base layer (think t-shirts from O’Neills or Gym+Coffee that keep sweat off your skin), toss on a zip-up hoodie, and always have a lightweight waterproof jacket handy. You’ll also see a lot of runners in thermal leggings and hats, especially from November to April when wind and rain pick up. Don’t forget a beanie—no Irish mammy lets her kids out without one when there’s a nip in the air.

This table breaks down some handy wardrobe tips for common Irish weather conditions:

Another thing—if you plan to exercise on coastal routes like Howth or the Wild Atlantic Way, windproof jackets and sunglasses are practical, even if it’s bright out. Rain showers sometimes roll in with barely a warning, so fold-up jackets that fit in a bag or running belt are really popular.

For anyone training outside year-round (GAA, camogie, or five-a-side football, for example), check if your club or gym stocks their own branded gear. A lot of locals prefer these because they’re made for Irish conditions—plus, you can show your local pride while you jog down the canal.

Making the Most of Your Wardrobe: Tips and Trends

Most people in Ireland want their activewear to do double-duty. It’s not just for early-morning runs near Phoenix Park or quick gym sessions at Flyefit—lots of folks pop on leggings or a quarter-zip even to grab a coffee on Baggot Street. That means picking pieces that can handle a little of everything, including the ever-changing Irish weather.

Athleisure has really taken off here. The comfy blend between classic sports gear and street clothes is handy for switching up your plans. More and more, it’s normal to see people wearing sleek joggers or stylish sweatshirts well beyond the gym. According to Sport Ireland, apparel sales for gym-style clothing rose by nearly 15% in 2024 alone. People clearly love clothes they can mix and match, so you actually need less in your wardrobe to do more in your day.

"Good activewear is all about layering and function. Don’t worry about matching the latest colour; make sure you’ve got something that’ll keep you comfy in the drizzle as much as the sun. Look for Irish-made—there’s some really good stuff out there now," said Aisling Mahon, fitness instructor and Gear for Girls brand ambassador, in a chat with Irish Country Magazine.

Here are a few tips for making your wardrobe work overtime:

• Layer up: Light jackets or gilets are great for sudden rain. Try Irish brands like Gym+Coffee or O'Neills for weather-ready picks.
• Go for quick-dry fabrics: Ireland’s climate can surprise you with rain. Polyester or blended fabrics dry fast and don’t get heavy.
• Don’t just buy black: Add a pop of colour or detail—think of quirky printed leggings or a neon top. It’s good for visibility if you’re out running at dusk, too.
• Rotate your gear: Have a few go-to items and swap them out. Less clothing to wash, less space taken up, fewer decisions in the morning.
• Think shoes: Weatherproof runners from Irish stores like Life Style Sports can last longer in damp or muddy conditions.

Sticking with these basics means you’ll be ready whatever pops up—unexpected shower, spontaneous five-a-side match, or even a last-minute brunch. Try out local brands and support Irish businesses too; you might be surprised how much better the gear fits your day-to-day life here.