Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US black) shoes.

1941		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 8 Feb. 20: They figured it out that all clucks belong in the smoker or doing a mirror on the No 2 Face’s treads.
1958		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 22 Mar. 13: [I]t was togged in red from the treads to the head.

2. (US campus) trainers.

1969		Current Sl. IV:1.
2005		www.theweebsite.com June 28 🌐 Athletic shoes come in many types and many nicknames [...] Treads, Trainers, Volleyball shoes, Wrestling shoes, whatever ye’ calls ’em, I like Sneakers!