What Do Canadians Call Trainers? The Irish Perspective on Sneakers and Footwear Terms

In Ireland, we’ve always called them trainers. Not sneakers. Not gym shoes. Not athletic shoes. Just trainers. If you walk into a Dunnes Stores in Cork, ask for sneakers, and you’ll get a blank stare. Ask for trainers, and they’ll hand you a pair of Nike Air Max or Adidas Sambas without hesitation. That’s because in Ireland, the word trainers isn’t just common-it’s the default. It’s the term used by schoolkids in Limerick, by commuters on the DART in Dublin, and by grandparents buying shoes for their grandkids at Clerys in Belfast. But why? And what’s up with Canadians calling them something else?

Why Ireland Says 'Trainers'

The term trainers stuck here because of history, not geography. Back in the 1950s and 60s, when rubber-soled sports shoes became popular in Britain and Ireland, they were marketed as footwear for training-whether for athletics, walking, or just keeping your feet comfortable. The name stuck. Unlike in the US, where the term sneakers came from the quiet, rubber-soled shoes that let you ‘sneak’ around, Ireland followed the British pattern. And since Ireland’s cultural ties to Britain run deep-especially in fashion, media, and retail-the word never got replaced.

Today, if you’re shopping in Ireland, you’ll find trainers everywhere. From the local sports shops in Galway’s Eyre Square to the big chains like JD Sports on Grafton Street, every rack is labeled trainers. Even online, Irish retailers like Dunnes Stores and Penneys use the term consistently. Google searches in Ireland for ‘sneakers’ return results, but they’re mostly from American websites. The local results? Almost all say ‘trainers’.

What Do Canadians Call Them?

Across the Atlantic, Canadians mostly say sneakers. Same as Americans. It’s not a regional quirk-it’s a cultural one. Canada’s media, advertising, and retail landscape is heavily influenced by the US. You’ll find Nike, New Balance, and Puma ads using the word sneakers on Canadian TV, billboards, and social media. Even in Toronto or Vancouver, if you ask for trainers, you might get a confused look. But don’t worry-they’ll still hand you the shoes. The term isn’t wrong, just unfamiliar.

There’s one exception: some older Canadians, especially those who grew up in provinces with stronger British ties like Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, might say runners. That’s a term you won’t hear in Ireland. In fact, in Ireland, runners usually refers to a type of running shoe-like the Asics Gel-Kayano-but not the general category.

The Irish Footwear Landscape

When it comes to trainers in Ireland, brand loyalty is real. You’ll see a lot of Adidas, Nike, and New Balance on the streets of Dublin. But local brands like Clarks and Geox still hold strong, especially among older generations. And then there’s the Irish-made favorite: Blundstone. Yes, they’re Australian, but they’re practically a national staple here. Why? Because they’re tough, waterproof, and perfect for Irish weather. Walk through any town in County Kerry after rain, and you’ll spot half the people in Blundstone boots-some even call them ‘Irish trainers’.

For students, the go-to is usually Converse or Vans. You’ll find them in schoolyards from Bray to Sligo. For runners, it’s Brooks or ASICS. And for fashion-forward teens? On and Hoka are trending fast, especially after the Dublin Marathon. You’ll see them on Instagram feeds from Temple Bar to Galway’s Spanish Arch.

Why the Difference Matters

It’s not just about words. It’s about identity. In Ireland, calling them trainers is a quiet act of cultural alignment. We don’t say ‘elevator’ or ‘apartment’ or ‘sneakers’. We say ‘lift’, ‘flat’, and ‘trainers’. It’s part of our linguistic fingerprint. When expats move here from the US, they often stick with sneakers-and get corrected. Not rudely. Just with a chuckle. ‘You’re in Ireland now,’ someone might say, handing them a pair from the shelf labeled ‘Trainees’.

Even tourists notice. A visitor from Calgary once asked a shop assistant in Limerick, ‘Do you have any sneakers?’ The assistant replied, ‘We’ve got trainers. That’s what we call them here.’ The tourist laughed, bought a pair of Nike Air Force 1s, and wrote in her journal: ‘Ireland doesn’t just have rain-it has its own vocabulary.’

What About Other Countries?

It’s not just Canada. The UK uses trainers too. Australia says runners. New Zealand says jogs (short for jogging shoes). South Africa says sneakers or athletics. Even within Europe, the terms vary. In Germany, it’s Sportsschuhe. In France, chaussures de sport. But Ireland? We’re firmly in the British camp. No surprise, given our shared media, education, and retail systems.

There’s even a funny twist: Irish people abroad often get confused when they hear ‘sneakers’. A student studying in Boston once asked for trainers at a shoe store and was told, ‘We don’t sell those.’ She had to explain, ‘You know-the ones you wear to run?’ The clerk nodded, ‘Oh, sneakers. Yeah, we got those.’

What Should You Call Them in Ireland?

If you’re visiting, living, or just shopping in Ireland, stick with trainers. It’s not just correct-it’s expected. You’ll blend in faster. You’ll be understood instantly. And you’ll avoid the awkward pause that comes when you say ‘sneakers’ in a Dublin shop and the assistant leans in and says, ‘You mean trainers?’

And if you’re buying them? Go for brands that handle Irish weather. Waterproof lining. Good grip. A sole that won’t slide on wet cobblestones. The streets of Galway and Cork are slick half the year. Your feet will thank you.

Final Thoughts

Language is local. And in Ireland, trainers aren’t just a word-they’re part of the rhythm of daily life. From school sports days to weekend walks in the Phoenix Park, from the bus ride to work in Limerick to the post-rain stroll along the River Lee in Cork, we wear them. And we call them what we’ve always called them.

So if you’re wondering what Canadians call them-well, they say ‘sneakers’. But here? We say ‘trainers’. And we’ve got the shoes to prove it.