Best Synonyms for Activewear in Ireland: Sportswear, Gym Gear, Athleisure & More

Finding a good pair of leggings or a breathable top isn’t just for jogging along the Liffey or sweating it out in a CrossFit box in Cork; it’s become as central to Irish daily life as strong tea and a quick weather chat. When you walk into any sports shop in Ireland—be it Elverys in Galway or Lifestyle Sports on Grafton Street—it’s clear we’re not just talking about ‘activewear’ anymore. So, what’s a decent synonym for activewear that’ll really fly in the Irish market?

Flip through catalogues or check out what’s trending on Irish Instagram, and you’ll see plenty of words: sportswear, gym gear, leisurewear, athleisure, fitness apparel, and training kit. They all hint at the same thing, but each carries its own local flavour and context. Let’s dig into their meanings, why people use different names, and how it all connects to what we wear in everyday Irish life.

How the Irish Talk About Activewear

You’ll rarely hear someone in Ireland ask, “Do you have any new activewear?” It’s far more likely they’ll say, “Have you seen those new gym leggings?” or “Did you pick up that new tracksuit from Penneys?” Language matters here. For school PE or the soccer pitch at Fairview Park, ‘tracksuit’ and ‘sports top’ are bread and butter. Meanwhile, anyone heading to F45 or a Pilates studio in Dun Laoghaire is more likely to mention ‘gym gear.’

Activewear globally is the catch-all term, but in Ireland, sportswear and gym gear tend to feel more local and down-to-earth. Sportswear covers anything worn for sports or activity: shorts, tracksuits, football kits, even rugby jerseys. If you went to a GAA club’s summer camp as a kid, you know there was a silent dress code—O’Neills shorts, a county top, maybe a zip-up hoodie for after. That’s classic Irish sportswear in action.

On the fitness side, ‘gym gear’ is your everyday go-to for sweating it out, whether that's in a boutique gym in Cork city or boxing in Tallaght. This includes leggings, tanks, sports bras, and trainers—anything you’d grab from Dunnes or JD Sports before a class. ‘Leisurewear’ skews a bit comfier, more ‘loungewear’ vibe, but in Ireland, these lines blur. That’s partly the weather—one minute it’s sunny, the next it’s pelting rain—so having gear that handles both is key.

Sportswear, Athleisure, and Other Synonyms: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break down the main alternatives you’ll hear around Irish towns and cities. ‘Sportswear’ and ‘gym gear’ are the workhorses. ‘Athleisure’ is the trendy upstart, blending athletic performance and casual style. Think yoga pants and oversized hoodies that wouldn’t look out of place at a brunch on South William Street or wandering through St. Anne’s Park. International brands like Nike and Adidas sell a lot of athleisure, but Irish brands have joined the party too—Gym+Coffee is a great example, founded by a trio of Irish friends to combine performance with a love of meeting up after a class.

If you’re looking at GAA stores, ‘training kit’ comes up a lot: this is the stuff worn on the pitch or at practice, not just in the gym. The material’s hard-wearing and usually in county colours. ‘Performance wear’ or ‘fitness apparel’ is the term you’ll hear more in boutique stores or by people shopping with a keen focus on technical fabrics and features. These terms have snuck into Irish ads, but you’re more likely to hear ‘throw on your runners and gym leggings’ in casual chat.

Retailers recognise these differences. Dunnes Stores, for example, sells both basic ‘sportswear’ and their own designer ‘active’ lines. Penneys keeps its labels accessible—tracksuits, gym sets, loungewear—catering to everyone from college students in Limerick to busy parents in Athlone. Then you’ve got independent Irish labels popping up, often led by fitness influencers or GAA players, pitching collections as ‘everyday essentials’ with a strong Irish identity.

Term	Common In	Description
Sportswear	General Ireland	All clothing for sports & team wear
Gym Gear	Cities/towns	Workout & fitness clothing for gym classes
Athleisure	Dublin, Cork	Stylish activewear for daily/outdoor use
Leisurewear	All regions	Relaxed, comfy clothes for home/travel
Training Kit	GAA clubs	Team/club training uniform and kit

Brands, Local Trends, and the Irish Take on Fitness Fashion

The Irish activewear scene has come on in leaps and bounds over the last ten years. While the big sports chains like Elverys and Lifestyle Sports still pull in huge crowds, Irish brands have found a niche by mixing casual social wear with gym gear. Gym+Coffee, based in Dublin, embodies the athleisure spirit—gear comfy enough for a walk up Ticknock yet sharp enough to grab coffee at the bottom. They even have ‘Make Life Richer’ clubhouses dotted around and collaborate with household names like Roz Purcell.

Then there’s O’Neills, synonomous with Irish sports for generations. GAA kits, county-branded tracksuits, and performance gear dominate their line-up. You’ll find O’Neills at every community sports day, with kit bags slung over shoulders at train stations every Sunday. Their appeal goes beyond sport: Irish expats in Australia or Canada often bring over county-branded tops, keeping the local connection alive.

Don’t overlook Penneys (known abroad as Primark). If you want affordable, on-trend gear, their workout leggings, light fleeces, and half-zips are a mainstay for students everywhere. Dunnes Stores competes with stylish, multipurpose active lines—ideal for spontaneous walks or last-minute hurling practice. International brands like Under Armour have staked out positions in flagship stores, but their impact is less widespread than that of homegrown alternatives when it comes to matching Irish taste.

There’s another twist: comfort is king. Irish people want gear they can wear from yoga in the morning straight through to an evening session in the pub or a dash into Tesco. You’ll see it at Electric Picnic or a bank holiday in Dingle—people blend sporty and relaxed without giving it much thought. This “sports-lifestyle blur” is all about convenience, but it’s also tied to the uniquely unpredictable weather. Waterproof layers, tech tops, and quick-dry leggings are favoured everywhere from Salthill Promenade to Bray Head.

How to Choose the Right Activewear (or Synonym) in Ireland

The real challenge isn’t finding a word for activewear—it’s picking the right kit for your place, your plans, and the Irish forecast. Here’s some straightforward advice:

• If you’re joining a local GAA or soccer team, ask about ‘training kit’. Clubs usually have preferred styles—jerseys and shorts from O’Neills, or branded tracksuits. You’ll blend in fast.
• Just starting out at the gym? Head to Penneys or Dunnes first. Grab affordable gym gear—think leggings, sports bras, and moisture-wicking tops. Comfort beats trend when you’re getting started.
• If you want to keep up with Dublin’s streetwear trends (especially in the city centre or South Dublin), try athleisure collections from Gym+Coffee or the latest Nike drops at Lifestyle Sports. Pairing a Gym+Coffee zip-up hoodie with jeans is a daily uniform for many, even if they haven’t seen the inside of a gym in ages.
• Love hiking or trail-running up the Wicklow Mountains? You’ll want technical sportswear—layering pieces from Irish online specialists like All About Kombucha or even the hiking lines at Outdoor Sports in Limerick. Look for weatherproof fabrics, zippers, and lightweight designs.
• For home workouts or running errands, ‘leisurewear’ is your best friend. Oversized sweatshirts and yoga pants are fair game, especially with remote work so common nowadays.

Watch out for smart shopping perks: many Irish sporting goods chains have loyalty programmes or student discounts. Gym+Coffee, for example, runs regular club socials and walks if you’re looking to meet like-minded people. Reviews on Irish-based forums (Boards.ie or Maura’s GAA gear tips on Instagram) offer honest takes on which brands hold up in the wash or through a soggy day in Sligo.

Finally, don’t forget: Irish weather rules the wardrobe. Waterproof jackets or quick-dry running tops get more use here than in sunnier places. Light jackets that pack down into a bag are lifesavers, and most Irish brands have wised up to this, designing pieces you can stash for a ‘grand soft day’ or flash shower out of nowhere.