American Word for Trainers - What Do US Speakers Call Your Shoes?

In the Irish market, the word trainer is a type of casual athletic footwear commonly worn for sport, school or everyday use is part of everyday conversation. Whether you’re strolling down Grafton Street, heading to a Gaelic football match, or grabbing a coffee at a Dublin café, you’ll hear locals say “trainers.” But if you cross the Atlantic, you’ll hear a different word - and that’s the focus of this guide.

What Irish people call these shoes

Here in Ireland, "trainer" is the default term. You’ll see it on sales tags in stores like Penneys, Brown Thomas, and the sprawling Foot Locker outlet on the Liffey Valley. Even online Irish retailers such as The Gutter and A‑Shop use the word when they list products from global brands like Adidas, Nike, or local manufacturers such as Dublin‑based Dunlop. The phrase covers everything from running shoes to canvas sneakers used on the streets of Cork or the hills around Killarney.

The American word for trainers

Across the pond, the same footwear is most commonly called a "sneaker." The term originated in the early 20th century United States, where the rubber soles made the shoes quiet enough to “sneak” around. Today, you’ll hear it on the signage of American chains like Finish Line, on the websites of Nike Ireland (which adopts the US spelling for its global audience), and even in the Dublin airport’s duty‑free catalog aimed at American tourists.

How the terminology diverged

Both "trainer" and "sneaker" describe the same product class, but their histories differ. The British‑Irish "trainer" grew out of the term "training shoe," used by sports clubs in the UK during the 1920s. In contrast, the US "sneaker" was popularised by a shoe manufacturer in 1917 that marketed a rubber‑sole shoe as "sneakers" because they didn’t squeak on gym floors. Over the decades, the two words travelled separately, solidifying in their respective markets.

Practical guide: buying trainers in the US vs Ireland

If you’re an Irish expat in New York or a tourist shopping in Dublin, a few practical differences can save you time and money:

• Size standards: Ireland follows the EU sizing system (e.g., 42 = ≈ 9 US). American stores display US sizes, so a quick conversion chart is handy.
• Brand naming: Some US‑only collaborations, like Nike × Supreme "Sneaker Drop," are marketed as "sneakers" even on Irish e‑commerce sites.
• Price points: Due to import duties, the same pair can cost 15‑20 % more in Ireland than in a US outlet like Foot Locker on 5th Ave.
• Return policies: Irish retailers often allow 30‑day returns with a receipt, whereas many US chains require a 45‑day window and might need the original packaging.
• Local colour: In Ireland you’ll find limited‑edition Gaelic‑football‑themed trainers produced by brands like O’Neills, something you won’t see in the US catalog.

Common confusions and tips for travelers

When you ask a clerk in a Dublin shoe shop for "sneakers," they’ll usually understand, but they might respond with "trainers" and point you to the right aisle. Conversely, an American barista hearing "trainer" might think you’re talking about a personal coach. Here are a few quick tips:

1. Use the local word whenever possible - it smooths conversations.
2. If you’re online, search both terms. For example, type "Nike trainers" and "Nike sneakers" into Google to capture the full range of results.
3. Know the conversion: EU 38 ≈ US 7, EU 42 ≈ US 9, EU 45 ≈ US 11.5. Most Irish shops will list both sizes on the tag.
4. Check the material description - "canvas" versus "leather" - because US retailers often market the same silhouette under different material names (e.g., "sneaker" vs "trainer").
5. Take advantage of tax‑free shopping at Dublin Airport if you’re heading back to the US; you’ll get a refund on the Irish VAT, making the price gap shrink.

Quick reference table

Why the distinction matters for Irish businesses

Local retailers that sell internationally need to optimise product listings for both vocabularies. A Dublin‑based e‑shop that tags a pair as "trainer" only may miss out on US traffic that searches for "sneaker." Conversely, an American brand launching a limited‑edition Irish‑themed line should sprinkle "trainer" into its copy to resonate with Irish shoppers. Understanding the lexical split helps SEO, improves ad relevance, and reduces bounce rates on both sides of the Atlantic.

FAQ

Bottom line: if you’re in Ireland, ask for a "trainer"; if you’re in the United States, ask for a "sneaker." Knowing the local term helps you shop faster, avoid misunderstandings, and keep your footgear game on point whether you’re on O’Connell Street or Broadway.