If you’ve ever bought shoes in the UK, Australia, or Canada, you’ve probably called them trainers. But if you walk into a store in New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles and ask for trainers, you’ll get confused looks. That’s because Americans don’t use that word. The term they use is sneakers.
Why Americans Say Sneakers Instead of Trainers
The word sneakers comes from the early 1900s, when rubber-soled shoes let people move quietly-almost like a sneak. These shoes were popular with kids playing sports because they didn’t make noise on hardwood floors or pavement. By the 1920s, the term stuck. Companies like Converse and Keds started mass-producing them, and the name became part of everyday American English.
In contrast, trainers comes from the UK, where the shoes were originally used for athletic training. British people still use the word today, but it’s not common in the US. The difference isn’t just about language-it’s about culture. Americans associate these shoes with casual wear, street style, and sports performance. Brits often think of them as gym gear.
What Else Do Americans Call Them?
While sneakers is the most common term, you’ll hear other names depending on where you are or who you’re talking to:
- Athletic shoes - Used in formal settings, like stores or when talking to older people. It’s the safe, generic term.
- Tennies - A casual, old-fashioned slang term, mostly used by older generations or in the Northeast.
- Running shoes - Only if they’re designed specifically for running. Not all sneakers are running shoes.
- Shoes - In many casual conversations, people just say “shoes.” If you’re wearing them to the gym, people assume you mean sneakers.
Don’t expect to hear trainers in a US mall. Even in cities with large international populations, like Boston or Seattle, locals will still say sneakers. If you say trainers, you might get a polite smile and a question: “You mean sneakers?”
When Do Americans Use the Word Trainers?
You’ll only hear trainers in the US in three cases:
- When someone is talking about British or Australian culture-like in a movie or book.
- When a brand like Nike or Adidas uses the term on international packaging or websites.
- When a person has lived abroad and brought the word back with them.
Even then, they’ll usually clarify. For example: “In the UK, they call them trainers, but here we say sneakers.”
Why This Matters Beyond Just Words
This isn’t just a fun language quirk. It affects how you shop, what you search for online, and how brands market to you.
If you’re shopping on Amazon or Nike’s US site and type in “trainers,” you’ll get few results. But if you search “sneakers,” you’ll see thousands. Same goes for Google Ads, YouTube videos, or social media posts. If you’re trying to find the right pair for running, working out, or just walking around town, using the wrong word wastes time.
Even in fashion blogs, TikTok trends, or Instagram captions, the term used is almost always sneakers. Brands like New Balance, Vans, and Puma all label their products as sneakers in the US. If you’re buying online, you need to know the right term to find what you want.
How to Remember the Difference
Here’s a simple trick to keep it straight:
- Train → Trainers (UK): Think of training for sports or gym.
- Sneak → Sneakers (US): Think of walking quietly, like a sneak.
Or just remember: If you’re in the US, say sneakers. If you’re in the UK, say trainers. No one will think you’re wrong-you’ll just sound like a tourist.
What About Other Countries?
The word you use depends on where you are:
- United States: Sneakers
- United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: Trainers
- Canada: Mostly sneakers, but some older folks say “runners”
- South Africa: Trainers or sports shoes
- India: Sports shoes or just “sneakers” (due to American influence)
Even within countries, there are regional differences. In parts of Canada, you might hear “runners,” especially if you’re near Toronto or Vancouver. In Australia, “joggers” is sometimes used for lightweight versions-but that’s more for lounging than sports.
Real-Life Example: What Happens When You Say “Trainers” in the US
Imagine you’re visiting Chicago and you walk into a Foot Locker and say: “Do you have any trainers in size 9?”
The employee might pause, then ask: “You mean sneakers?”
You say yes. They nod. “Sure, we’ve got a new drop of Nike Air Force 1s. They’re on sale.”
You walk out with a pair of sneakers, thinking you just learned something. But here’s the thing-you didn’t just learn a word. You learned how language shapes shopping, culture, and even identity.
Final Tip: Don’t Overthink It
It’s not a big deal if you say “trainers” in the US. People will understand you. But if you want to fit in, sound natural, and find the right products online, use sneakers. It’s the word everyone uses. It’s the word stores use. It’s the word Google uses.
And if you’re ever unsure, just point to your feet. That works everywhere.
Is the word "trainers" understood in the United States?
Most Americans won’t understand "trainers" as a shoe term. They’ll likely think you mean someone who trains others, like a fitness coach. If you say "trainers," expect a confused look or a follow-up question like, "Do you mean sneakers?"
Are sneakers and running shoes the same thing?
Not always. All running shoes are sneakers, but not all sneakers are made for running. Running shoes have extra cushioning, arch support, and flexible soles designed for motion. Sneakers is the broader category that includes casual shoes like Converse, Vans, or Adidas Stan Smiths.
Do all American stores label shoes as sneakers?
Yes, nearly all major US retailers like Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, and Dick’s Sporting Goods label these shoes as sneakers on their websites and in-store tags. Even department stores like Macy’s or Target use "sneakers" in product titles and search filters.
Can I say "athletic shoes" instead of "sneakers"?
Yes, "athletic shoes" is perfectly correct and widely understood. It’s a bit more formal and often used in writing or when talking to older people. But in casual conversation, most Americans say "sneakers." It’s faster and more common.
Why do some people call them "tennies"?
"Tennies" is old-fashioned slang from the mid-1900s, short for "tennis shoes." It was popular in the Northeast and among older generations. Today, it’s rarely used except in nostalgic contexts or by people who grew up in the 1970s or 80s.
