London Slang for Trainers: A Guide for Irish Sneaker Fans

Ever heard a Dubliner in JD Sports cringing at the word “creps,” only to be told by a Londoner that’s just what they call trainers? It’s more than just a bit of Brit banter; the lingo for sports shoes carries big cultural meaning—especially for sneakerheads living in Ireland. As Irish sneaker culture takes on its own identity, with hints from the UK and the continent, knowing London’s nicknames for trainers has never been more relevant. Irish fans looking to snag the latest Nike Air Max in Arnotts or browse kicks in Kildare Village might find these subtle language differences make all the difference in a chat—or help them spot a fellow UK sportswear fan across the street.

How London Calls Them: The Roots of 'Creps' and 'Kicks'

If you’re searching for trainers in London, ask for “creps” and you’ll get pointed to the same aisle. “Creps,” pronounced like “kreps,” is pure London slang, rooted mainly in the city’s hip hop and grime scenes. People in North London, especially in Camden or Hackney, started throwing this word about in the early 2000s, spinning it from “crepe-soled” shoes, a style originally seen in adidas and Clark’s Wallabees. Next thing, “creps” became synonymous with any sort of casual, sporty trainer—Nike Air Force 1s, Adidas Superstars, the lot.

Irish shoppers, especially in places like Cork and Limerick, might still be attached to the word “runners,” but mix in a crowd with British expats in Dublin, and the slang shifts quickly. Some even blend styles, calling them “creps,” “kicks,” and “runners” interchangeably. If you wander down Grafton Street or into streetwear shops like Size?, you’ll hear all three names, but “creps” shows up more often in social media posts or in music coming over from the UK charts. London’s influence even shows up in Irish Instagram sneaker accounts—watch out for #freshcreps, which pops up just as much as the traditional #runners in Irish hashtags.

But there’s more nuance—“kicks” is another import, but this one hopped across from America, not London. It’s more universal, so if you’re wandering through Pennys or branching out to outlets like TK Maxx, staff might recognize all three: “kicks,” “creps,” or “runners.” For an Irish fan, knowing the differences isn’t just about sounding in-the-know—it’s practical for online shopping, chatrooms, and comparing prices between the UK and Irish stores.

The Irish Market: Sneaker Trends and Slang in Ireland

So, how does all this matter for someone shopping in Ireland? The Irish trainer scene has exploded over the last decade, moving from practical ‘PE shoes’ to coveted collectibles. Irish teens and early 20s are adopting London slang on TikTok and Snapchat, often without even noticing—it’s part of the blurred border between Irish and British youth culture. Some Dublin sneaker resellers even brand themselves with London lingo; take a scroll through Irish buy-and-sell groups and “creps” comes up as often as “runners.” Limerick and Galway’s up-and-coming music artists work the word into lyrics, too, especially those inspired by UK grime or drill.

Here are the basics to keep you from sounding out-of-touch:

• “Runners” – still the go-to word for many in Ireland, especially older generations or those outside the main cities. You’ll hear it in PE halls and on sports teams more than at a sneaker drop.
• “Trainers” – common on the island, specifically in more formal or retail settings. It matches the British style, so you’ll see it on receipts from Elverys or Lifestyle Sports.
• “Creps” – feels a bit more urban and young. Expect this word in streetwear circles, with students, and always on Londoner lips in Dublin pubs.
• “Kicks” – an American word that’s become global, especially through YouTube and sneakerhead forums.

Irish sneaker shops—even the local ones—are picking up on changing tastes. JD Sports and Foot Locker in Liffey Valley, for example, stock exclusive drops now announced via TikTok streams using “creps,” not “runners.” Brands are watching this trend and running separate campaigns for Irish and UK audiences: Nike’s “Fresh Creps Friday” deals show up only in the UK and Ireland, with language tailored to each side.

Comparing Cost, Popularity, and Lingo: A Quick Irish-UK Table

It’s one thing to know what to call your shoes, but spotting the best deals and understanding what everyone else is saying matters, too. Here’s a quick look at how things compare between London and Ireland for trainer fans in July 2025:

The numbers shift with exchange rates and new releases, but the language is just as important as the price tag. London slang like “creps” gives you extra credibility if you're haggling in a Cork sneaker market, eyeing Yeezys in Northside Dublin, or selling second-hand on Depop to a British customer.

Spotting Sneaker Slang in Irish Pop Culture and Daily Life

If you’re not convinced British slang is surfacing more in Ireland, just pay attention to how brands market to Irish teens and young adults. Irish rappers like Versatile use “creps” on beats, and TikTok influencers review unboxings with London lingo, trying to hit that cross-Channel street cred. Upcoming events—think Longitude Festival in Marlay Park—are full of teens on the hunt for rare Nike Dunks, sharing pics tagged with both #IrishSneakerhead and #Creps.

The shift is maybe clearest in resale culture. Ireland’s sneaker resale scene is buzzing, from small WhatsApp groups to bigger names like Fresh Cuts in Dublin (who blend Irish streetwear with UK pieces). Facebook groups are alive with listings: “Mint creps—size 42—open to swaps for AF1s or Yeezys.” Young sellers see using “creps” as a badge, letting buyers know they’re up on both Irish and British trends. Even sports figures like Katie Taylor have been spotted discussing footwear off the pitch, and trainers are definitely part of her style lexicon—and London slang sneaks in during interviews with UK journalists.

Daily life, too, is changing. Post-Covid, the boom in parcel shops across Galway and Sligo has made buying trainers from UK websites easier, making British language part of the deal. Kids learning about Air Jordans from YouTube or Twitch absorb London slang right alongside Irish: you’ll hear “creps” at bus stops and skate parks, often in the same breath as “runners.”

Tips for Irish Trainer Shoppers and Language Blenders

So you’re thinking about picking up some new trainers, or maybe reselling some rare creps to a friend in Belfast or Bristol. Here’s what helps: 

• Be flexible with language. If you’re talking sports in Killarney or explaining shopping to your mam, stick to “runners.” But if you’re asking for the latest street style in the Liberties, “creps” will get you nods from sneakerheads.
• Shop smart with brand names. When buying online—especially from UK ecommerce giants like ASOS or End Clothing—use both “trainers” and “creps” in search bars to find all available stock or catch a bargain.
• Stay tuned to social media. Most limited drops and shock releases in Ireland use UK slang online, especially on Instagram and TikTok. Hashtags like #freshcreps or #sneakerlaunchesireland are hot right now.
• Know what you want. If you’re after a specific classic (say, the Adidas Samba, which is a favourite again in Irish pubs after matches), mention both “runners” and “creps” when searching or chatting in resale groups. Some sellers use one, some use both.
• Support Irish shops. In towns like Sligo and Letterkenny, local independent shops might call them “trainers” but still stock the freshest UK creps. Building a rapport gets you quicker dibs on new stock.
• Keep your pair clean. There’s nothing that ruins a good “fit” more than dirty or scuffed creps—there are Irish-made cleaning products like Sneaker Rescuer or locally owned laundry services that specialise in shoes, especially in bigger cities.
• Check returns policies. Buying from UK stores post-Brexit? Double check shipping back conditions, since sometimes “trainers” ordered as “creps” might not be accepted at Irish locations.

Embracing both Irish and London slang keeps you connected—with the next generation, with retail staff, and with resale buyers everywhere from Belfast to Brighton. It’s not just language: it’s how you flex your style and swap stories around Ireland’s growing sneaker scene, whether you’re a lifelong “runner” devotee or a newly converted “creps” fan from Crumlin.