Why Do Brits Call Sneakers 'Trainers'? UK vs US Shoe Lingo Explained

If you grew up watching American movies, you probably heard characters talking about their sneakers. But land in London or tune in to a British TV show, and suddenly people are lacing up their trainers. It’s not just a funny quirk—it’s a tiny window into how cultures shape language. But why do people in the UK call those rubber-soled shoes “trainers” instead of sneakers? There’s real history tucked in with those laces, and once you look closer, the answer is as much about class and British tradition as it is about sport.

The Origin of 'Trainers': A Peek into British Shoe History

Back in the late 19th century, the world got its first taste of what we’d now call athletic shoes. These weren’t for running errands or picking up the kids from school. British shoe companies began making flexible, rubber-soled shoes for sports like tennis and croquet—pastimes of the upper crust and the seriously sporty. Around 1917, British brands like Gola and Dunlop started producing canvas-topped shoes with rubber soles, which were designed specifically for physical training activities. The word ‘trainer’ comes straight from this purpose: these were shoes for “training” or working out. By the 1920s, the term stuck and was used to describe any athletic shoe, morphing gradually into a catch-all for what Americans now call sneakers.

The difference gets interesting when you compare how the US and UK developed their names. In the States, similar shoes were called 'sneakers' because they were quiet on hard ground—perfect for sneaking around. An American ad from 1917 even claimed you could “sneak up behind people” in them, which, considering the times, was probably cutting-edge marketing. Meanwhile, the Brits were less into sneaking and more into sporting. The whole idea of “training” and organized sport held a different social weight in the UK, where much of modern sport was formalized in places like Eton and Oxford. So, the shoes used in training just became “trainers.”

There’s even a neat divide inside the UK. In London, ‘trainers’ is the standard, but move to Glasgow or Liverpool and you’ll sometimes hear folks say 'sandshoes' or even 'gutties'. It’s a sign of how language travels with people and their local cultures. Name differences like this aren’t just regional—sometimes your background and even your age will cue which word you use.

Still, “trainers” is the household word today. According to data from the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the word “trainer” to describe a shoe appeared in a 1927 issue of the British magazine 'Punch'.

The trainers vs sneakers split is more than just wordplay—it’s a map of two countries’ love affairs with sport, class, and culture.

Sneakers, Trainers, Plimsolls: Navigating the Shoe Map Across the UK

Once you start digging, you realize that Brits have a whole secret menu when it comes to talking about shoes. ‘Plimsolls’ pop up a lot in old-school classrooms—a reference to the flat, simple sports shoes little kids wore for gym class. If you went to primary school in the UK before the ‘90s, you might remember being handed a pair of unloved black plimsolls for PE and feeling like you’d time-traveled to a Dickens novel. Then there’s ‘daps’ in Wales and the West Country and ‘gutties’ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Regional slang for shoes is like a fashion parade through the UK’s past.

Of course, none of this matters much when you’re shopping online—unless you want to avoid a mix-up. If you Google “trainers sale” from Liverpool, you’ll get the latest Nikes, New Balances, and Adidas kicks. Type in “sneakers UK” and, sure, you’ll see the same brands, but the word just feels a bit forced, doesn’t it? Walk into a shop in Manchester and ask for ‘sneakers’ and the sales assistant might give you a funny look.

Here’s where it gets practical if you’re traveling or shopping across the pond. In the US, ‘sneakers’ is the safe bet for anything athletic; in the UK, ‘trainers’ will get you what you need. But if you find yourself in a kids’ shoe section or a vintage sports shop in the UK, try ‘plimsolls’ instead. It saves time and spares you a lot of explaining.

Language researcher Paul Baker once quipped in an interview with BBC News that, “If someone in Birmingham asks where your new trainers are from, they’re not inviting you to the gym—it’s just a normal part of British style.” That’s how deep the word runs in British culture—it isn’t about exercise anymore, it’s about fashion, music, and showing off your new gear down the street.

• For UK learners of English: Use ‘trainers’ for casual or athletic shoes.
• Trying to sound local? Throw in ‘plimsolls’ or ‘daps’ if you’re in the right place, but don’t fake the accent.
• Shopping for kids' gym shoes? ‘Plimsolls’ and ‘trainers’ can mean different things depending on the shop, so check the label or ask for both.
• Remember: in the UK, ‘tennis shoes’ or ‘sneakers’ might raise eyebrows.

Even brands know which side of the lingo fence their bread is buttered: Nike and Adidas use ‘trainers’ in their UK advertising, while their US counterparts shout ‘sneakers’ every chance they get. Check your own wardrobe. If you bought your kicks at JD Sports, they’re probably ‘trainers’. Order them from Foot Locker in New York? “Nice sneakers, mate.”

Sports, Pop Culture, and the British Trainer Craze

Trainers aren’t just practical—they’re woven into British culture, music, and fashion in a way that sneakers are in the US, but with a slightly different flavor. Think back to the ‘80s and ‘90s in the UK. With Britpop and rave culture exploding, trainers took on a whole new meaning. The Adidas Sambas and Reebok Classics you see everywhere today started as sports shoes for football and aerobics, but then they got co-opted by everyone from clubbers to city traders. Soccer and the rise of “terrace culture” at football matches only cemented the trainer as an icon of British style. Owning the latest pair became a status symbol. I remember my son Ronan saving up for months just to get his hands on the right pair of Nike Air Max—you’d be surprised how much playground street cred rides on what’s on your feet!

A 2019 survey by Mintel found that 44% of British adults bought trainers in the past year, with the under-25s leading the charge. What’s wild is how universal they’ve become: according to the same study, trainers are more likely to be worn at work in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. The business casual dress code? It’s got trainers written all over it. Even The Times called trainers “the great leveler,” an accessory that bridges social divides.

I get a kick out of seeing people argue online—especially on UK sneakerhead forums—about whether a certain model qualifies as a ‘trainer’ or if it’s been “Americanized” as a sneaker. The British sense of identity even shows up here. It’s a source of pride to call your favorite Adidas or Reebok “trainers”—it says you understand British heritage, you’re in with the music and football scene, and you aren’t just following American trends.

You can see how deep the rabbit hole goes. Brixton streetwear, grime and drill artists, and even royals like Prince William—everyone has a connection to trainers in the UK. They aren’t just for sport, or for comfort—they’re part of British identity. As the legendary style journalist Dylan Jones once wrote:

"Wearing the right trainers in Britain is as much about knowing where you fit in as it is about comfort or performance. It’s a cultural code, one that shifts by region, age, and even which pub you walk into."

So next time you hear a Brit rave about the new 'trainers' in their wardrobe, they're not confused—they’re showing off a cultural badge of honor. Swap stories about your favorite pairs, and you’ll have a friend for life—or at least for the next few miles down the street.