If you are an avid exerciser, you might find yourself in need of a new pair of sports shoes. There are many types available, including shoes for running, basketball, hiking, and more. In this lesson, you will learn the names of various types of sports shoes, which can help expand your vocabulary and make you sound more natural and accurate in English.
Contents
Common Types of Athletic Shoes
List of Athletic Shoes
Related: Types of Shoes Vocabulary
- Basketball shoes
- Golf shoes
- Hiking boots
- Running shoes
- Trail running shoes
- Training shoes/ Gym shoes
- Cross-training shoes
- Climbing shoes
- Soccer cleats (U.S.) / Football boots (U.K.)
- Tennis shoes
- Volleyball shoes
- Cycling shoes
- Sneakers (U.S.)/ Trainers (U.K.)
- Skate shoes
Sports Shoes Names with Pictures
Athletic shoes are specifically designed to be worn for participating in various sports. Instead of focusing only on friction, modern sports footwear is engineered to provide traction (grip), cushioning, stability, and support depending on the activity. Materials such as rubber, foam, and synthetic fabrics help improve performance and reduce injury risk.
| Name of Shoe Type | IPA (U.S.) | Image | Short Description | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball shoes | /ˈbæskɪtbɔːl ʃuːz/ |  |
These are performance shoes designed for basketball, often with ankle support and shock absorption. | I need new basketball shoes for the upcoming tournament. |
| Golf shoes | /ɡɑːlf ʃuːz/ |  |
These are specialized shoes with spikes or cleats that provide traction on grass surfaces. | He wore golf shoes to improve his grip on the course. |
| Hiking boots | /ˈhaɪkɪŋ buːts/ |  |
These are sturdy boots designed for hiking, offering ankle support and strong grip on uneven terrain. | I always wear hiking boots when exploring the mountains. |
| Running shoes | /ˈrʌnɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
These are lightweight shoes designed with cushioning to reduce impact while running. | I bought new running shoes for my daily exercise routine. |
| Trail running shoes | /treɪl ˈrʌnɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
Running shoes designed for off-road trails, featuring deeper treads and extra protection. | He uses trail running shoes when running in the mountains. |
| Training shoes/ Gym shoes | /ˈtreɪnɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
Versatile shoes designed for gym workouts, offering flexibility and support. | I wear training shoes for my daily workouts. |
| Cross-training shoes | /ˈkrɔːs treɪnɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
Shoes built for multiple types of exercise, such as running, jumping, and lifting. | Cross-training shoes are ideal for varied workout routines. |
| Climbing shoes | /ˈklaɪmɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
These are tight-fitting shoes with sticky rubber soles for gripping rock surfaces. | She wore climbing shoes for better control on the wall. |
| Soccer cleats (U.S.)/ Football boots (U.K.) | /ˈsɑːkər kliːts/ |  |
These are shoes with studs designed for traction on grass in soccer (football). | You need proper soccer cleats to play on wet grass. |
| Sneakers (U.S.)/ Trainers (U.K.) | /ˈsniːkərz/ (U.S.)/ˈtreɪnərz/ (U.K.) |  |
These are casual athletic shoes used for daily wear and light physical activities. In modern English, “sneakers” or “trainers” is often used as a generic term for any athletic-style shoe worn for fashion or comfort. | I usually wear sneakers when I go out or run errands. |
| Tennis shoes | /ˈtenɪs ʃuːz/ |  |
Shoes designed for tennis, providing lateral support and grip on court surfaces. | She bought new tennis shoes for her match. |
| Volleyball shoes | /ˈvɑːlibɔːl ʃuːz/ |  |
Lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for indoor volleyball courts. | Volleyball shoes help players move quickly on indoor surfaces. |
| Cycling shoes | /ˈsaɪklɪŋ ʃuːz/ |  |
Shoes with stiff soles designed to attach to bike pedals for efficient power transfer. | Professional cyclists use special cycling shoes for better performance. |
| Skate shoes | /skeɪt ʃuːz/ |  |
These are flat-soled shoes designed for skateboarding, offering board control and durability. | He prefers skate shoes for their grip and comfort. |
This sports shoes names chart is offered as a PDF download as well.
Difference Between Shoe Types and Shoe Models
Some names like Chuck Taylors or Old Skool are not general types of shoes, but specific product models created by brands. This is important to understand when learning shoe vocabulary.
- Chuck Taylors (/tʃʌk ˈteɪlərz/): A well-known sneaker model by Converse, originally designed for basketball but now commonly worn as casual shoes.
- Old Skool (/oʊld skuːl/): A popular skate shoe model by Vans, known for its low profile and side stripe design.
In simple terms, shoe types refer to categories like running shoes or training shoes, while models refer to specific branded designs. Understanding this difference helps you use English more accurately.