Irish Style Guide: What’s Another Word for Activewear?

If you’re shopping for new activewear in Ireland—whether in the middle of Grafton Street, browsing at JD Sports in Limerick, or scouting deals online—you’ve probably stumbled across a flood of different words for that comfy, stretchy gear. What do people really call it in Ireland? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. With so many ways to stay fit around the island—from a jog up Bray Head to Saturday Pilates in Cork—the words we use often bend to local style and trends. In fact, "activewear" wasn’t even part of the Irish lexicon until recently. Keep reading and I’ll untangle those name swaps, fill you in on the local lingo, and help you shop or chat like someone who’s lived here for years.

The Word Game: Synonyms and Slang for Activewear in Ireland

Let’s take a spin through the most popular ways to say “activewear” in Ireland. While you might see “gym clothes” flung about, or “workout gear,” the favourite catch-all right now has to be “sportswear.” Go to Elverys, O’Neill’s, or Lifestyle Sports and you’ll spot the signs—Sportswear, Men’s, Women’s. It’s a tidy term that rolls off the tongue and works for kit bags, trainers (that’s sneakers, outside Ireland), and technical tees alike. Still, you’ll hear other expressions pop up all the time. “Athleisure” is catching on, especially among twenty- and thirty-somethings in Dublin. It points to those crossover outfits that work as well in a Trinity College hallway as on the yoga mat at Reformation, the boutique studio that’s all over everyone’s Insta lately.

But don’t get too swept up in imported words. Say “jogging bottoms” instead of joggers and you’ll sound decades out of date. “Trackie bottoms” is how folks from Longford to Louth talk about their comfy trousers with elasticated waists, and “track tops” covers those half-zipped sweatshirts you throw on after a run in Phoenix Park. Hoodie? Universally understood, from Dungarvan to Donegal. More specifically, GAA kit is the big badge of Irish sport-casual, often worn as day-to-day attire no matter if you play at all. Among schoolkids, “PE kit” is the default phrase, but once you leave school, it’s “training gear” if you actually exercise or “loungewear” if you’re, well, just hanging about.

There’s crossover between these words, but each has its own shade of meaning. “Sportswear” is most official, showing up on retail signs and Chamber of Commerce employment reports, while “athleisure” screams influencer culture and Saturday brunch at Brother Hubbard. “Gym wear” is gaining steam, especially for women’s ranges from Gym+Coffee and Penneys (what everyone else calls Primark). The data backs it up: a 2024 survey by Retail Excellence Ireland found "sportswear" was the most searched-for term in the category, beating out "activewear," "gym wear," and "athleisure" by about 40%.

Cultural Quirks: How Ireland Wears and Talks About Workout Gear

Walk through any Irish town or city and you’ll notice something—people here aren’t just wearing “activewear” at the gym. In fact, it’s the day-to-day backbone of Irish style, especially among younger generations and busy parents. The athleisure look has become so mainstream you’ll spot lycra leggings at Lidl, Puma quarter-zips at Sunday Mass in some parishes, and running jackets doubled up for rainy dog walks on the cliffs of Moher. Even unbranded trackie bottoms get a long run in Irish fashion—just look around a GAA club after training, or at a school sports day. They’re not just “workout clothes” anymore.

The way Irish people talk about these clothes is quietly revealing. “Going to the shop in your runners and leggings?” That’s not lazy, it’s normal. Many Irish workplaces now have casual Fridays where you’ll see trainers (with no one blinking an eye). Sports brands like O’Neills are almost woven into everyday life; their “training tops” are as common in classrooms as they are on pitches. The boom in parkrun events (over 120 weekly events scattered from Tramore to Tyrone) has made “running gear” a household phrase, while the rise in local fitness studios (like FFS Gym in Dublin 7 or Raw in Sandyford) means “gym set” is practically official, especially when it comes to body-sculpting leggings and matching crop tops.

But the tribe you belong to can shape your word choice. GAA players talk about their “kit,” rugby folk favour “training gear,” gymgoers start chattering about “suppersets” and “squat-proof leggings.” And if you’re meeting friends for coffee after a reformer Pilates class in Galway, you’ll likely just call it your “comfies.” The subtle code-switching—between “activewear,” “sportswear,” and “athleisure”—shows not just what you’re wearing, but even how you view physical activity and leisure in modern Irish culture.

Here’s something handy. Cast your eyes over this quick table showing which words tend to turn up where across Ireland:

Brands, Trends, and Irish Weather: What Shapes Local Activewear

Not all activewear is made equal—especially not in Ireland, where a drizzle can change your whole day’s plan. The essentials? Anything water-resistant tops the shopping list. Irish-designed brand Gym+Coffee has exploded in popularity thanks to their moisture-wicking hoodies—perfect for walks in the Phoenix Park or along Sandymount Strand. O’Neills is the traditional heavy-hitter, making “training tops” for every GAA team from Kerry to Tyrone; those quarter-zips are classic, and you’ll spot them on both teenage footballers and retired hurlers. There’s also Irish-owned Powercut, specialising in leggings that hold their shape—no matter how many times you tumble in the Wicklow hills.

High street favourites like Penneys offer budget-friendly “gym wear,” and celebrities from Lauren Arthurs to Roz Purcell frequently showcase Irish-made athleisure on Instagram. The climate has a big say, too: breathable layers for spring, thermal leggings for winter dog walks, and wind-cheater jackets are absolute musts on the West coast. These aren’t just functional choices—they’re badges of local adaptation. If you’re planning to exercise outside (and you probably are, with Greenway cycling paths and hiking routes all over the country), you’ll need something that works for showers, wind, and awkwardly fast-changing weather systems.

Then there are trends. In 2025, the Irish market saw a jump in recycled-fibre “eco” activewear, with JD Sports reporting a 20% rise in sales of Adidas and Nike lines using ocean plastic. Matching sets ruled TikTok, but practical pieces like leggings with extra-deep pockets (for that walk along the Royal Canal, earbuds at the ready) are winners in real life. Smarter tech fabrics are trickling down from premium brands to mainstream options—think dry-fit crops from Lululemon at Brown Thomas, or Uniqlo’s running jackets (the chain landed its first Irish stores in 2024). Still, no matter the brand, if a piece doesn’t hold up to Irish weather, or pass the “mum test” (does it wash well? does it last?), it won’t hang in local wardrobes.

Here’s a tip—when picking workout gear in Ireland, ignore the pretty display in-store and feel the fabric. Weightier knits mean you’ll stay warm on a Killarney morning, while technical, sweat-wicking tops are ideal for HIIT class at Flyefit. And look out for discounts: late summer and new year are the best times for end-of-line deals, especially at Sports Direct and Lifestyle Sports.

How to Choose and Talk About Your Workout Gear Like a Local

So, you’ve got the lingo sorted and you know what to look for—what’s next? Shopping or talking about activewear in Ireland is less about being fashion-forward and more about practicality and fitting in. If you’re a newcomer or a tourist, using the right term will get you further than looking flashy. Looking for “trackie bottoms” in Navan’s shopping centre will land you in the right aisle, but ask for “athleisure” and shop staff may point you to the Instagram-friendly brands.

Try these local-friendly shopping tips:

• Ask Irish shop assistants for “sportswear” or “gym wear” if you want a wide selection of both exercise and comfort-focused outfits. They’ll show you the sections stacked with leggings, sweat-wicking tees, and performance jackets.
• If you’re interested in Irish-made brands, make a beeline for Gym+Coffee, Powercut, or O’Neills. Their gear is time-tested for the Irish climate and dead-on for practicality.
• Always try clothes on, with the largest fitting rooms at Elverys or Penneys—layers are often needed, especially if you’re using activewear as all-day clothing, which is common here.
• If you hear “kit,” it might mean a full team outfit for rugby or GAA—so don’t be shy about clarifying if you want mix-and-match pieces.
• For hiking, cycling, or outdoor circuits, ask specifically about waterproofs or “base layers”—locals almost never rely on a single layer, given the typical Irish drizzle.

The best part of Ireland’s approach to activewear? No rules except comfort and durability. Nobody minds if you wear trainers that have seen cleaner days, as long as they’re still fit for purpose. If you want to tap into everyday style, look to student trends on college campuses (think Trinity or UCD)—baggy trackies, university hoodies, and bold patterned leggings are in. If you’re hoping for a polished look, notice what busy parents or young professionals sport in suburban cafes: matching sets, soft neutral tones, and discreet logos rule the day.

One last trick: Listen. The words used in passing say a lot. Is it “going for a walk in the gear?” That means popping on leggings and a rain jacket for a brisk spin. Does someone refer to their “training kit”? That often means the whole outfit—down to socks. Once you start tuning in, you’ll not only sound more Irish, but fit right in with fashion-forward and functional folks all over the country.