Do Americans Say Trainers or Sneakers? US Slang Demystified

If you walk into a shoe store in New York and ask for 'trainers', you’ll probably get blank stares. In the US, the word is 'sneakers'. That’s just how it is—no debate, no confusion. So if you’re from the UK, Australia, or almost anywhere else where 'trainers' makes sense, keep in mind: Americans rarely use that word outside gym workouts or coaching.

The line between 'sneakers' and 'trainers' trips up travelers all the time. It's not only about shoes—it’s about fitting in. Americans think of 'trainers' more as sports coaches and not shoes. 'Sneakers', though, mean comfy, casual shoes you wear to the gym, to the store, or even out to dinner if you want to keep it chill.

• Sneakers or Trainers? The Real Answer
• How 'Sneakers' Took Over in the US
• Regional Language Twists Across the States
• Fun Facts and Surprising Slang
• Tips for Traveling and Talking Shoes

Sneakers or Trainers? The Real Answer

Here’s what you need to know: in the United States, people say sneakers. That’s the go-to word—whether you’re talking about running shoes, gym shoes, or just a comfy pair of kicks. You can search store websites, listen to conversations, or tune into American pop culture, and you’ll see 'sneakers' everywhere. The term 'trainers' just doesn’t click for most Americans, unless they're quoting a British show or talking about a sports coach.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a sneaker is “a sports shoe with a rubber sole.” That covers everything from basic canvas shoes to the latest top-dollar Nike drops. 'Trainer', on the other hand, isn’t even listed as a common American footwear term. That tells you a lot about how the words are used on both sides of the Atlantic.

"In the U.S., if you walk into a shoe store and ask for 'trainers', you'll probably get directed to a personal trainer instead of a pair of shoes." — American Dialect Society

Let’s make it super clear. If you’re shopping, chatting, or texting with an American, stick with sneakers. It’ll save you some puzzled looks.

While you might hear some folks call them 'tennis shoes' in the Midwest or South, 'sneakers' is the most universal slang in America for these shoes. So next time you’re getting ready to lace up, you know what to call them.

How 'Sneakers' Took Over in the US

The word sneakers has been around for over a hundred years in America. Back in the late 1800s, rubber-soled shoes started showing up. Advertisers and shoe salesmen called them 'sneakers' because you could walk quietly, pretty much sneak up on someone without a sound. The term caught on, especially in the northeast.

When Converse launched their All Stars in 1917 (yeah, the classic high-tops) and Keds came out with their canvas shoes around the same time, both brands pushed the word 'sneakers' hard in their ads. It worked. By the 1920s, pretty much every American kid wanted a pair of sneakers for gym class. ‘Trainers’ just never got a foothold here.

If you look at TV shows, movies, or old magazine ads from the past century, you’ll see ‘sneakers’ everywhere. Big brands—Nike, Adidas, Reebok—kept using that word because they knew how much it stuck. Pop culture made it cool, with hip-hop, basketball stars, and even tech CEOs wearing sneakers to big events. It’s not just about running or workouts—sneakers became everyday shoes for all ages.

So, why not 'trainers'? In the US, 'trainer' means a person (like a gym coach) way more often than a shoe. The only time most Americans might use 'trainers' for footwear is if they're copying British slang on purpose.

Regional Language Twists Across the States

Even within the US, the word sneakers isn’t used by everyone. Ask folks in New England (places like Boston or Connecticut), and they’re all-in on ‘sneakers’. But head west or south, and things shift. In much of the Midwest, especially around Chicago and down through Cincinnati and St. Louis, people will say ‘gym shoes’. Go farther south—think Texas or Georgia—and some just call them ‘tennis shoes’, whether you’re on a tennis court or not.

There’s even more variety if you listen in on conversations in places like Philadelphia, where ‘sneaks’ sometimes pops up. And in California, you’ll almost always hear ‘sneakers’, but every now and then older folks might drop ‘tennis shoes’ into the mix. The pattern isn’t random, but it follows old migration and marketing patterns. Shoe companies in the early 1900s rolled out tons of advertising using whatever stuck locally.

Check out how different areas break it down:

There’s no hard rule, but if you call athletic shoes trainers in the US, people will think you’re not local—maybe British or Australian. If you want to blend in, listening for the local term really helps. And if you’re ever in doubt, just say sneakers—it’s the one word that works almost everywhere across the States.

Fun Facts and Surprising Slang

Think you know all the words for sneakers in the US? Not even close. Besides the obvious 'sneakers', different areas toss around names like 'tennis shoes', 'kicks', and even 'gym shoes'. For example, 'tennis shoes' is what most folks in the Midwest say, while 'kicks' is more common among sneakerheads and younger people, especially in big cities.

The word sneakers itself goes way back to the late 1800s. It started because rubber soles were quieter on floors—so you could "sneak" around. Keds, one of the first big brands, used the term straight from their ads in 1917. That's how the name stuck.

Here's something else—on the West Coast, 'sneaks' sometimes pops up, and on the East Coast (New England, especially), 'sneakers' is just standard. Down in Chicago, chances are you'll hear 'gym shoes', no matter if they’re ever worn to a gym. But try saying 'plimsolls' or 'trainers' in the US and be ready for puzzled looks. Those are pure UK English.

You might also bump into these bits of footwear slang around the country:

• Kicks – Hip-hop and streetwear fans love this one. It's casual and cool.
• Chucks – Only means Converse Chuck Taylors.
• Tennies – Short for tennis shoes. Big in California and the Southwest.
• High-tops/Low-tops – Not really slang, but used everywhere to describe shoe styles.

Want a quick look at the slang breakdown? Check this out:

So, next time you’re in the US buying new sneakers, try dropping some local slang. It could save you from a confused salesperson and make you sound like you know your stuff.

Tips for Traveling and Talking Shoes

If you’re headed to the US and want to blend in, just say sneakers. It’s the right word almost everywhere in America, from California to Florida. You’ll only hear exceptions in a few spots—like Boston, where older folks sometimes use “tennis shoes” instead, or Cincinnati, where you might hear “gym shoes.” But “sneakers” will get your point across every time.

When you shop for sneakers in an American store, employees won’t know what you mean if you ask for 'trainers.' Stick with “sneakers,” or even “running shoes” if you’re after the athletic type. And if you’re discussing shoes with American friends, don’t hesitate to swap “trainers” for “sneakers”—it sounds way more natural to US ears.

• If you’re searching online, American websites almost always use “sneakers” or “athletic shoes.” You’ll get better results this way.
• Make sure to double-check your language if you’re booking a group gym class or sports activity—“trainers” means personal coach, not footwear, in most American contexts.
• When in doubt, say “sneakers”—it’s by far the most recognized word in the US for athletic and casual shoes.

Here’s a quick comparison of slang for ‘athletic shoes’ in English-speaking countries:

If you forget and say “trainers” anyway, don’t sweat it—Americans are used to hearing all sorts of accents and words. But if you’re aiming for smooth, local-style talk, remember what Erin McKean, founder of Wordnik and a well-known US lexicographer, said:

“If you ask most Americans for trainers, they’ll probably send you to a gym, not a shoe store.”

Whether you’re in Miami, Seattle, or Chicago, asking for sneakers will make your travels simpler—and maybe even help you make a few friends along the way.