What Do Scottish People Call Trainers? The Irish Guide to Footwear Words Across the UK

In Ireland, we know a thing or two about shoes. From the muddy lanes of Donegal to the cobblestones of Galway, the right pair of footwear isn’t just about style-it’s about survival. But when you hear someone say trainers, you might wonder: do the Scots call them the same thing? And if not, what do they call them? The answer isn’t just about language-it’s about culture, history, and how we talk to each other across the British Isles.

What’s in a Name? Trainers, Sneakers, and the Irish Way

In Ireland, we say trainers. Always have. Whether you’re heading to the local GAA pitch in Cork, jogging along the Liffey in Dublin, or picking up groceries at Tesco in Limerick, you’re wearing trainers. It’s the default word. No one says sneakers here-not unless they’ve just come back from a holiday in Boston or are trying too hard to sound American.

But that’s not the whole story. If you walk into a shoe shop in Belfast or Glasgow, you might hear something different. In Scotland, the most common term is plimsolls-but not the way you think. Old-school plimsolls were those canvas shoes with rubber soles, worn in schools and at the beach. Today, though, many Scots use plimsolls to mean any kind of casual athletic shoe. It’s a holdover from the 1950s and 60s, when these shoes were standard issue for schoolchildren. You’ll still hear grandmas in Aberdeen say, “Put your plimsolls on, it’s wet outside.”

Scotland’s Footwear Vocabulary: More Than Just One Word

Scotland doesn’t have just one word for what we call trainers. It’s layered, regional, and sometimes confusing-even to other Brits. In the Lowlands, especially around Edinburgh and Glasgow, you’ll hear joggers more often than trainers. That’s because joggers has evolved beyond just running shoes. It now covers any loose-fitting, sporty shoe you’d wear with leggings or sweatpants. A pair of Nike Air Force 1s? In Glasgow, someone might call them joggers. In Cork? Always trainers.

Then there’s athletics. Yes, you read that right. In parts of rural Scotland, particularly the Highlands and Islands, people still refer to athletic shoes as athletics. It’s not common in cities, but if you’re in Fort William or Ullapool and ask for trainers, you might get a blank stare. Ask for athletics, and they’ll hand you a pair of Reeboks from the 90s.

And then there’s runners. That’s the word used in parts of Northern Ireland, especially in Derry and Newry. If you’re from Belfast and say trainers, someone from Derry might look at you like you’re speaking a foreign language. In their world, you wear runners to the pub on a Saturday night, not trainers. It’s a subtle but real divide-one that shows how even small regions develop their own linguistic identities.

Why Does This Matter in Ireland?

It matters because Ireland sits right between England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. We absorb bits of all of them. You’ll hear trainers in Galway, runners in Drogheda, and joggers in Dublin’s northside pubs. And if you’ve ever bought footwear online from a UK retailer, you’ve probably been confused by the labels. One site says sneakers, another says plimsolls, and the third just says athletic shoes-like it’s 1987.

For Irish shoppers, this means you have to know your terms. If you’re ordering from Amazon UK, search for trainers and you’ll get plenty of results. Search for sneakers, and you’ll mostly see American brands. Search for joggers, and you’ll get a whole pile of sweatpants instead. It’s not just semantics-it’s how you find what you need.

Brands and Shops: What’s Actually Sold Where

Irish retailers know this. Look at the shelves in Dunnes Stores, Penneys, or Superdrug, and you’ll see the labels clearly marked: trainers. Even the big international brands like Adidas and Nike use trainers on their Irish website. But if you visit a Scottish branch of the same store, the same shoe might be labeled joggers or plimsolls.

Local Irish brands like Irish Footwear Co. and Claddagh Shoes stick to trainers too. They’ve built their identity around Irish language and culture-and using the Irish term is part of that. Even in the Highlands of Scotland, where plimsolls are still in use, you won’t find Irish brands using that word. It’s not their market.

The Generational Divide

Age plays a big role here. If you’re over 60 in Scotland, you’re more likely to say plimsolls. If you’re under 30, you’ll probably say joggers. In Ireland, the split is less sharp. Most people under 40 still say trainers. But you’ll hear younger Dubliners-especially those who grew up watching American TikTok or Netflix-start to say sneakers as a kind of fashion statement. It’s not wrong, but it’s not native either.

And then there’s the kids. In primary schools across Ireland, teachers still say, “Put your trainers on for PE.” In Scottish schools, it’s more likely to be “Put your plimsolls on.” That’s where the language sticks. Once you learn a word as a child, it rarely changes.

What You Should Say in Ireland

If you’re in Ireland, say trainers. It’s the word everyone understands. It’s the word on every shop sign, every school notice, every online delivery. You’ll be understood from the Blasket Islands to the Giant’s Causeway.

Don’t worry if you hear someone say joggers or runners. It doesn’t mean they’re wrong-it just means they’ve got a different background. Maybe they’re from Northern Ireland, or they spent time in Scotland, or they just like the sound of it. But if you want to blend in, stick with trainers.

And if you’re ever in a Scottish pub and someone asks if you’ve got your plimsolls on, don’t panic. Just smile and say, “Aye, I’ve got me trainers.” They’ll get it. And you’ll have just made a little bit of cultural history.