Trainers Ireland: What Irish People Really Call Their Everyday Shoes

When you hear trainers, casual footwear designed for walking, running, or daily wear. Also known as runners, it's the word most Irish people actually use for the shoes they wear to the shops, the bus stop, or a Sunday walk in the park. You won’t hear many locals say "trainers"—not because they don’t know the term, but because it sounds too British. Here, they’re runners. And they’re not just for gym days. In Ireland, runners are the default footwear for almost everyone, from teenagers to retirees, because they’re the only thing that survives the rain, the mud, and the uneven cobblestones of Dublin, Galway, and Cork.

What makes a good runner in Ireland? It’s not the brand, the color, or the hype. It’s durability, grip, and water resistance. Brands like Clarks, ECCO, and even Crocs show up in Irish wardrobes not because they’re trendy, but because they keep feet dry on wet sidewalks and offer support after hours on your feet. Local shops stock them in bulk—not because of fashion magazines, but because people need them. A runner here has to handle puddles that turn into lakes, sudden downpours, and paths that haven’t been resurfaced since the 1970s. That’s why so many Irish runners have thick soles, non-slip outsoles, and a snug fit. And yes, some even have a slight heel—because walking on sloped streets and slippery tiles is easier when your foot isn’t flat on the ground.

The culture around footwear here is practical, not performative. You won’t find people wearing delicate sneakers to the farmers’ market or hiking trails. Instead, you’ll see well-worn runners that have seen decades of rain. Even nurses, teachers, and postal workers rely on them—not because they’re cheap, but because they work. And if you’ve ever tried to walk across a wet Dublin sidewalk in a pair of thin-soled shoes, you know why. This isn’t about looking good. It’s about not slipping, not getting soaked, and not ending up with sore feet after a long day.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of the "best" trainers. It’s a real look at what Irish people actually wear, why they wear it, and how the weather, the terrain, and the daily grind shape every choice. From why nurses swear by Crocs, to why Thursday Boots are a quiet favorite for women navigating city streets, to how the word "runners" became the only name that sticks—this collection answers the questions you didn’t know to ask. No fluff. No trends. Just what works in Ireland.