What Are Sneakers Called in London? An Irish Guide to Trainers Across the Water

Ever landed in London, wandered into a JD Sports, and got blank looks when you ask for the latest sneakers? If you're used to Ireland’s style of chat, you might run straight into this classic language trip-up. In Ireland, we usually call them 'runners'—short and sweet. But step off the plane in London (Luton, Gatwick, or straight into the city), and locals will steer you to 'trainers' instead.

This isn’t just a slang thing; it actually helps to know if you’re browsing online or batting around Oxford Street looking for a bargain. Search for 'sneakers' on most UK sites, and you’ll find US brands or expensive imports instead of the chunky-soled pair you fancied. Over in places like Penneys (Primark, if we’re staying Londonish), the label always says 'trainers'. Knowing this saves time and stops confusion if you ever need help in a shop—especially handy if you’ve seen a pair in Office on Dublin’s Henry Street and want the same on Regent Street in London.

There’s even a cultural edge. Where we in Ireland might say 'grab your runners for the Mini Marathon,' Londoners will swear by their trainers for everything from pub quizzes to Sunday strolls along the Thames. It's a tiny difference, but it’s one that sticks with you—especially when you cross over for shopping gigs, city breaks, or if you’re a student starting the first term in a UK college.

• Sneakers, Runners, Trainers: What’s the Difference?
• Why Londoners Love 'Trainers'
• Irish vs London Shoe Shopping: Talking the Talk
• Big Brands and Local Favourites in Ireland and London
• The Trend Scene: From Grafton Street to Oxford Circus
• Quick Fire Tips for Irish Shoppers in London

Sneakers, Runners, Trainers: What’s the Difference?

Walk down Dublin’s Grafton Street and you’ll hear folks chatting about new runners in the latest window displays. Hop over to London’s Oxford Circus, and nearly everyone’s calling them trainers. Scroll through American sneakerhead sites, and it’s all about sneakers. So what’s up with all these terms for the same pair of laced-up comfortable shoes?

Here in Ireland, “runners” is the standard name. Head into Lifestyle Sports or Elverys, ask about “runners,” and you’ll get just what you’re after—whether it’s for footie, the gym, or just knocking around town. The term makes sense; in the past, people mostly wore them for running or PE. The nickname just stuck.

Now in the UK, and especially in London, “trainers” is king. You’ll spot signs for men’s and women’s trainers everywhere, from sports shops to outlets big and small. The word is short for “training shoes,” and it dates back to the 1960s and 70s when folks started using comfy shoes for all sorts of exercise, not just running. Irish visitors sometimes get caught out in conversation, but laugh it off—London staff are used to hearing loads of accents.

“Sneakers” is the American take. If you’re flicking through US sites—think Nike.com or trendy US chains like Foot Locker—you’ll quickly spot this lingo. The name actually comes from how quiet rubber-soled shoes are, letting folks "sneak" around. You’ll hear it more often in Ireland now, especially with social media, but it’s still not what you see on local shop signs.

As The Irish Times once wrote, “What you call them says almost as much about where you’re from as your accent does.”

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for next time you’re shoe shopping between Dublin and London:

• Runners – What people say in Ireland. Used for sports, style, anything really.
• Trainers – The British and London favourite. Same as runners, just with a London twist.
• Sneakers – The American term, spreading thanks to YouTube and Instagram, but still feels a bit imported here.

If you’re living in Ireland or planning a trip to London, remembering this little difference keeps things smooth—no confused looks at the till or when you’re chatting about footwear at a party. Next up, why are Londoners so attached to calling them trainers anyway?

Why Londoners Love 'Trainers'

If you hang around London for any length of time, you can’t miss the obsession with trainers. It’s not just about sports—these shoes have taken over every bit of city life. In Ireland, most folks still say 'runners,' but mention that word in London and some people might wonder if you’re talking about jogging or the lad who picks up tea in the office. 'Trainers' just fits everywhere in the UK. Ask Londoners, and they’ll tell you: trainers aren’t just shoes, they’re a daily uniform.

There’s history here. London’s trainer craze really kicked off in the '80s with the rise of streetwear and the music scene. Think of how the likes of Adidas Sambas, Nike Air Max, and Reebok Classics took over dance floors, parks, and high streets. These days, trainers are more popular than ever for everyone—not just teenagers or gym goers. Workplaces have relaxed, and trainers easily team up with jeans, dresses, or even office wear. Head onto the Tube, and you’ll spot stylish commuters in pristine white trainers next to sneakerheads collecting limited edition drops.

Big UK brands like JD Sports, Sports Direct, and Foot Locker (all with branches in Ireland too) keep the supplies updated with the latest releases. But here’s a fun thing: brands will specifically label shoes as 'trainers' for their UK and Irish markets, while 'sneakers' tags are mostly saved for American imports or designer lines.

If you look at the stats, it all makes sense. The UK trainer market was valued at around £3.6 billion in 2024, with Londoners leading national sales. That’s a massive figure—and says it all about their popularity.

So why do Londoners stick to the word 'trainer'? Simple. It’s built into their culture—everything from school sports kits to clubbing gear, even into the language of shopping. If you want to blend in or get what you’re looking for fast, just ask for trainers instead of sneakers. You’ll skip the puzzled looks and get straight to the good stuff.

Irish vs London Shoe Shopping: Talking the Talk

Shop for trainers in Ireland, and you’re straight into the world of runners. Walk into Elverys or Life Style Sports in Cork, Galway, or Dublin, and ask for runners—nobody blinks. Move to London, and that same word can leave sales staff puzzled. The go-to word is always ‘trainers’. Both mean the same thing, but not knowing this can totally put you off your game when you’re searching for sneakers in the UK capital.

This isn’t just about vocab. Shoe sizes, store layouts, even the way staff approach customers can feel different. In Ireland, you’re never short of a friendly chat, and staff might hand you a few sizes to try. In London, things are a bit more brisk—especially in chain stores like Foot Locker or JD. You might hear “What size trainers do you need?” instead of “What size runners are you after?”

One trick: If you’re buying online, set your region to ‘Ireland’ if you want Irish options, or ‘UK’ for the London scene. Irish online giants—like Littlewoods Ireland or Schuh.ie—feature the term ‘runners’, while their UK counterparts switch to ‘trainers’.

The prices and styles can change too. Here’s a quick look at the difference in top sellers last year in each city, according to Schuh’s 2024 sales data:

If you want to sound local on either side of the Irish Sea, try this:

• Ask for ‘runners’ in Galway, but ‘trainers’ in Camden Town.
• Expect to see shoe size labels in UK sizing in both places, but double-check for EU sizes on Irish sites.
• Don’t be shy about saying ‘sneakers’—just know you might get shown pricier imports or ‘fashion’ lines rather than sporty options.

As one manager from JD Sports in Belfast put it,

"The only real difference between runners and trainers is the accent you say them with – but it does help to use the local word if you want the right pair quicker!"

Keep these local tips in mind when shoe shopping, and you’ll avoid that awkward ‘what do you mean?’ moment—plus get exactly what you came in for.

Big Brands and Local Favourites in Ireland and London

If you’re browsing for trainers in Ireland, your first stop is usually JD Sports, Lifestyle Sports, or Elvery’s. Most big towns have these, and they stick to brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Puma. You’ll spot Irish teens queuing for the latest Air Max drop, while GAA fans swear by Asics for training. Penneys (Primark in the UK) is a proper Irish favourite for snagging affordable styles, especially around Back-to-School in August.

Pop over to London, and you’ll find those same major names—plus, there’s Foot Locker and Size?, which stock some UK exclusives you won’t always get in Dublin or Cork. Londoners love their limited releases and sometimes camp outside shops like Offspring in Soho for the latest Yeezys or special edition Vans.

For folks who want to go a bit local, there are brands with a London story, like Reebok (originally a UK company), or even the sustainable Allbirds at Covent Garden. Irish shoppers in London can also watch for regional collabs—JD Sports in London sometimes drops styles inspired by Premier League clubs, while shops at home might have Leinster Rugby or GAA tie-ins.

• JD Sports: Big in both Ireland and the UK—often first with trends.
• Penneys/Primark: Great for budget sneakers and casuals.
• Lifestyle Sports: Ireland-based, solid for sports runners and GAA boots.
• Foot Locker: London’s pick for exclusives, loads of Air Jordans and Fila styles.
• Office: British high street staple for both trend-led and classic kicks.

Here’s a quick look at which brands you’ll spot most often in shops on both sides of the Irish Sea:

One last tip: if you see a pair in Ireland’s JD Sports but can’t find your size, check the UK or London website—stock levels aren’t always the same, and there’s sometimes a wider range. Plus, keep an eye out for sales around Black Friday and Christmas, since deals can be better in the UK than back home in Ireland.

The Trend Scene: From Grafton Street to Oxford Circus

There’s something about a stroll down Grafton Street on a Saturday that sums up the Irish market for sneakers—or, let’s be honest, runners. You’ll spot teens queuing for the latest drop at Size?, young parents eyeing comfy Nikes in JD Sports, and students counting spare change for limited editions in Schuh. In Dublin, the conversation is still all about “runners,” but everyone knows what’s trending in London too.

If you hop across to London, Oxford Circus becomes a whole world of trainers. Londoners have a thing for big, international styles—think chunky New Balance 550s, Adidas Sambas, or classic Converse. Irish trends don’t fall far behind. As soon as you see Sambas or platform Vans selling out at Brown Thomas, you’ll notice they’ve already done the rounds in places like London’s Footpatrol or END. Clothing.

Fashion moves fast, especially after 2022, when global sneaker sales shot up, and TikTok turned trainers into a must-have for every season. Irish shoppers used to wait months for a style to hit shelves, but now, with Dublin getting more flagship stores, pairs land almost at the same time as London. Even Galway and Cork have seen an uptick in small boutiques getting “trainer” exclusives just behind their UK cousins.

Spot a trend in Dublin, and chances are good it started in London a year before. But in truth, Irish style is catching up fast. If you want to keep pace, follow Irish sneaker pages on Instagram or check out websites like Sole Finess for stock drops in Ireland. Trading groups on Facebook—like Sneakerheads Ireland—are great for swapping info, deals, and the odd pair of trainers with a story behind them.

Aim to shop smart: retail prices are often similar, but limited releases in Ireland tend to go quickest through official store apps. If you can’t nab a pair at Arnotts or Office in Dublin, Irish ticket reselling is more common than ever, so keep your eyes peeled on Depop or Adverts.ie before heading over to London to queue!

Quick Fire Tips for Irish Shoppers in London

Jumping over to London for a weekend shopping spree or passing through on business? Let’s keep things simple so you don’t end up lost in translation—or missing out on the best deals. Here’s what Irish shoppers really need to know about sneakers (or as Londoners say, trainers).

• Ask for trainers, not runners or sneakers, on the shop floor. Most staff in London will look baffled if you ask for runners, and 'sneakers' points them towards American brands or styles.
• Pay attention to UK sizing—Irish shoe shops often use UK sizes, but double-check. If you pick up a pair labelled as '44', that’s EU sizing, which won’t always match what’s written in a British store.
• If you’re after certain brands like New Balance, Nike, or Adidas, check price difference online before you travel. For example, models on the Irish JD Sports site sometimes differ from what’s stocked in central London branches.
• VAT refunds are gone post-Brexit, so there’s no reclaim at the airport—factor this into your budget when bargain-hunting in places like Oxford Street or Westfield Stratford.
• Don’t be shy asking staff about returns. London chains like Foot Locker or Sports Direct usually let you return unworn trainers within 28 days, but always check the receipt as rules can change.
• For exclusive drops or limited editions, follow London-based Instagram pages or store accounts (like @sizeofficial). Some collabs or releases hit London days or weeks before they ever reach the Irish market.

If you’re comparing prices—this simple table shows the average cost for the same pair of Nike Air Force 1s across London and Dublin in 2024 (high street stores):

It’s usually a toss-up once you convert currency and factor in travel. So, grab the style that fits, enjoy the different vibe, and remember—it’s trainers in London every time.