What Do Canadians Call Trainers? The Irish Guide to Sneaker Names Across Borders

In Ireland, we’ve always called them trainers. Whether you’re jogging along the River Liffey, walking the Cliffs of Moher, or rushing to catch the 8:15 bus from Dundalk to Dublin, you’re likely laced up in a pair of trainers. But if you’ve ever chatted with a Canadian friend-or scrolled through a US online store-you’ve probably seen them labeled something else: sneakers. So what’s the real difference? And why does it matter when you’re shopping online, traveling, or just trying to sound like you know what you’re talking about?

Why the Name Matters in Ireland

Here in Ireland, the word trainers isn’t just common-it’s deeply rooted in how we talk about everyday footwear. You won’t hear someone in Cork say, “I’m heading to the shops to buy new sneakers.” They’ll say, “I need new trainers.” It’s the same in Galway, Limerick, and even in the rural towns where the weather turns muddy by October. Even kids at primary schools in Sligo know that trainers are for PE class, not for formal occasions.

This isn’t just linguistic preference. It’s tied to history. The term trainers comes from the 19th century, when these shoes were designed for athletes to train in-no slipping, no noise, no blisters. British English adopted it early, and Ireland, with its close cultural and linguistic ties to the UK, followed suit. So while Americans say sneakers (because they’re quiet enough to sneak around), we say trainers because they’re built for movement, not stealth.

What Do Canadians Call Them?

Canadians, like Americans, overwhelmingly use the word sneakers. You’ll see it on store signs in Toronto, on Nike’s Canadian website, and in conversations at Tim Hortons. But here’s the twist: some Canadians-especially those near the US border or who’ve spent time in the States-might say tennis shoes, especially when referring to classic white canvas styles. Rarely, you’ll hear runners in parts of Ontario or British Columbia, but that’s more of a regional whisper than a national norm.

So if you’re chatting with a Canadian about footwear and you say, “I just bought a new pair of trainers,” they’ll likely understand you. But they might tilt their head slightly and say, “Oh, you mean sneakers?” It’s not a mistake. It’s just a different dialect.

Why the Confusion? It’s All About Borders

The split between trainers and sneakers isn’t random. It’s a product of colonial history, media influence, and commerce. British English shaped Ireland’s vocabulary, while American pop culture-through TV, music, and Hollywood-pushed sneakers into global awareness. Brands like Adidas, New Balance, and Asics have played their part too. In Ireland, you’ll see ads for “running trainers” on RTÉ, while the same product on Amazon.ca is labeled “sneakers.”

This becomes tricky when you’re shopping online. If you search “trainers” on an Irish site like Boots.ie or Primark.com, you’ll get hundreds of results. Do the same on ShoeCrazy.ca, and you’ll get nothing unless you type “sneakers.” Even eBay listings from Canadian sellers use “sneakers” by default. If you’re an Irish buyer trying to find a specific pair, you might miss out unless you know to switch terms.

What About Other Countries?

It’s not just Canada. In Australia and New Zealand, people say trainers too-same as us. In South Africa, it’s trainers in English-speaking areas, but running shoes in others. In the US, sneakers dominates, though in some parts of the Northeast, you’ll still hear tennis shoes-a term that’s fading fast. In France? Chaussures de sport. In Germany? Sportschuhe.

But here’s what’s interesting: in Ireland, we don’t say running shoes unless we’re being technical. A runner might say, “These are my marathon trainers,” but a teenager buying their first pair from New Balance in Dundrum Town Centre? They’ll say, “I got these new trainers.” It’s casual. It’s normal. It’s Irish.

What Should You Call Them in Ireland?

If you live in Ireland, stick with trainers. It’s the word that works everywhere-from the local corner shop in Ballina to the online checkout at Dunnes Stores. If you’re writing a product review for an Irish blog, use trainers. If you’re talking to a local shop assistant in Galway, say trainers. It’s not just correct-it’s expected.

But if you’re browsing international sites, or ordering from abroad, you’ll need to know the local lingo. Save yourself the hassle: when shopping on US or Canadian sites, search for sneakers. On UK sites? Stick with trainers. And if you’re confused, look at the product images-most will show the same shoe, just with different labels.

Real-Life Example: Buying Trainers in Ireland

Last year, a Dublin expat living in Vancouver tried to order a pair of Adidas Ultraboosts for her mum back home. She typed “trainers” into the Canadian site. Nothing came up. She tried “running shoes.” Still nothing. Finally, she typed “sneakers.” There they were-same model, same colour, same price. She ordered them, shipped them to Dublin, and her mum said, “These are lovely trainers!”

The point? The shoe didn’t change. The name did.

When It Really Matters

This isn’t just about semantics. It’s about money, time, and access. If you’re running a small Irish business selling footwear online, using the wrong term could cost you sales. A shop in Waterford selling “sneakers” might not show up in Google searches from Limerick. But if they list “trainers,” they’ll be found by 90% of local customers.

Even in fashion blogs or Instagram captions, the word matters. An Irish influencer posting about their new pair? They’ll caption it “New trainers drop 🏃‍♀️” not “New sneakers.” Use the wrong word, and you risk sounding out of touch.

Final Thought: Language Is Local

Language evolves through use, not rules. In Ireland, we say trainers. In Canada, they say sneakers. Neither is right or wrong. But if you’re in Ireland, speaking like you’re in Toronto won’t help you fit in. It might even make you seem distant.

So next time you’re in a shop in Belfast, Cork, or Clonmel, and someone asks, “You after trainers?”-nod. Smile. Say yes. You’re not just buying shoes. You’re speaking the language of the place.