What Do Americans Call Trainers? US English Sneaker Names Explained

Quick—let's play word association. Someone says "trainers." Do you imagine a pair of running shoes? Maybe that white pair you've had forever? If you grew up in the UK or just about anywhere outside North America, calling your athletic shoes "trainers" is perfectly normal. Now, land in the middle of Kansas and ask someone about their trainers. Chances are, they'll think you mean a personal coach at the gym. Yes, it gets confusing—and honestly, kind of funny.

Americans use a completely different vocabulary when it comes to shoes. If you call them "trainers" in Boston or Dallas, most people will raise an eyebrow. The word that rules here is sneakers. Not just sneakers, though. There’s a wild patchwork of names depending on where you are in the country, your age, and even what sport you play. So, what gives? Why do Americans call them sneakers, while Brits stick with trainers? And does this regional shoe lingo actually matter? Let's get comfy and tied up (pun intended) in the world of American shoe talk.

The Origin of "Sneakers" and the American Love Affair with the Name

Why "sneakers"? The answer, if you love random etymology, is oddly charming. The term popped up in the United States in the late 1800s. Before that, shoes with rubber soles were called "plimsolls," but that never really caught on in the US. Instead, it’s believed a Boston-based advertising agent, Henry Nelson McKinney, coined "sneakers," noticing you could literally sneak up on people because rubber soles were so wonderfully silent. And boom: the term stuck.

Here’s a nugget that's actually kind of wild—by the 1930s, companies like Keds and Converse were mass-producing rubber-soled shoes and calling them sneakers in their catalogs. This wasn’t just a branding move. It shaped how generations of Americans talked about this essential piece of footwear. Advertisements, movies, and even cartoons from the 1940s all started calling them sneakers. That's why people in New York, New Jersey, and most big cities from Miami to Chicago still naturally say "sneakers" today.

Curious how this compares with the UK? Brits stuck with "trainers," short for "training shoes," probably because the earliest versions were worn for athletics training. Australians and New Zealanders, meanwhile, love quirky terms like "runners," "sandshoes," or even "daps." But in the US, "sneakers" never gave up the crown—well, mostly. There’s actually a long-running war between sneakers and other American nicknames, if you know where to listen.

Regional Shoe Lingo: Sneakers, Tennies, Gym Shoes, and More

Everyone in America calls them sneakers, right? Nope. Someone in the Midwest might look confused if you ask about sneakers, then proudly show you their "tennis shoes" instead. Actually, the US is a patchwork of shoe jargon, and it can get delightfully weird.

Let’s break down some facts. A 2017 dialect survey from Dr. Joshua Katz at NC State (yeah, this stuff gets studied) showed wild variation. In the Northeast—think NYC, Philly, Boston—nearly everyone says "sneakers." You hear it in movies, on playgrounds, and in the wild at sneakerhead conventions. But head west, past Ohio, and suddenly "tennis shoes" kicks in, especially in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. People growing up in Minnesota, Iowa, or Washington often use "tennis shoes" for basically anything athletic-looking, even if they don’t play tennis.

Even stranger: You’ll hear "gym shoes" in parts of Chicago and "kicks" among hip hop circles. Southern states mix it up with "tennis shoes" as well, but older generations in the South sometimes use "sneakers." And don't forget all the quirky, old-school gems like "basketball shoes" or vintage brands, like calling them "Cons" for Converse.

Here's a fun tip: If you want to buy shoes online or ask for something at a store, using "sneakers" will almost always work in the US, no matter where you are. People in retail get it. But call them trainers, and you might get sent to the workout equipment aisle.

Sneaker Culture and Why Americans Don’t Say "Trainers"

This wouldn’t be a shoe story without sneaker culture. In the United States, it’s a big deal. You don’t just wear sneakers for jogging or the gym. They show up at parties, in high school hallways, and on the red carpet (seriously, check out any sneaker drop in LA or New York, and you’ll spot lines down the block).

Sneakerheads—yep, they proudly call themselves that—hunt down limited editions, like Nike Air Jordans, Adidas Yeezys, and ultra-rare New Balance collabs. Companies even drop shoes in timed "releases," causing stampedes at some stores. The word "sneaker" itself is woven into American pop culture. It shows up in hip hop lyrics, viral TikToks, and even in movies like "Back to the Future II." (Remember Marty McFly’s self-lacing Nikes? Fans still dream about those.)

The name matters. A lot. For Americans, "trainers" just sounds... foreign. If you walk into a sneaker shop in Los Angeles and ask for trainers, expect puzzled looks or suggestions for a personal trainer—like Jillian Michaels, not Nike. And if you say "plimsolls" or "daps," don’t be surprised if the staff calls for help. "Sneakers" just sounds right if you ask any American under 50.

Still, sneaker culture is more than just the word. It’s a community, with conventions, huge after-market sales, and devoted collectors. Last year, Statista reported the US sneaker market raked in nearly $25 billion, and is only growing. There are even apps to authenticate your sneakers, so you don’t get hustled with fakes.

Helpful Tips and Fun Facts for Navigating US Shoe Terminology

Enough about history and culture—let’s talk about actually getting around the US and buying shoes without sounding out of place. If you grew up calling them trainers, here are a few tips so you blend in perfectly at American stores or with new friends:

• Always say "sneakers" in big cities or if you’re shopping for athletic shoes (unless you’re in Chicago, then "gym shoes" might score you bonus points with the locals).
• "Tennis shoes" is the term of choice in the Midwest and much of the western US. It works for all types of sporty sneakers, not just tennis-specific footwear.
• Sneaker stores almost never use "trainers" in their product names or signage—Nike might, sometimes, for shoes imported from Europe, but it’s super rare in person.
• If the conversation turns to collecting, "sneakerhead" is a badge of honor—don’t call them "trainerheads," or you’ll just confirm you’re from elsewhere.
• When buying for kids, Americans use "sneakers" too—so tell the salesperson, “I need a pair of sneakers for my son,” not “trainers.”
• Looking up American sizes? They’re usually different from UK sizes. Always check the conversion chart at the store—and don’t forget lots of sneaker brands run small (Nike, I’m looking at you!).

And here’s a fact to impress at your next party: The most expensive sneaker ever sold was a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1s, which auctioned for $1.8 million in 2021. Imagine running a marathon in those!

Last but not least, don’t feel silly if you ever use the "wrong" term. Americans are used to meeting people from all over, and if you explain what you mean, you’ll get help fast. If you want to sound like a local or just love getting language right, remember: in the US, trainers don’t go on your feet—they show up at the gym to make you sweat.

Now, if Luna my dog could talk, she’d probably ask for a set of tiny pink sneakers herself—hopefully in the American size 0. But for now, it’s just the humans trying to get the lingo right.