There's no hard-and-fast rule against wearing tennis shoes on the trail. In fact, some ultralight hikers prefer to wear light hiking shoes instead of heavy boots, and you can get away with tennis shoes on most day hikes. But if you're a serious hiker or need extra foot support, hiking boots -- or at least shoes designed specifically for hiking -- do offer a few definite advantages.
Support and Protection
Most hiking boots, even low-cut models, still offer more ankle coverage than tennis shoes. Again, this comes down to personal preference, but many people prefer the extra ankle support from hiking boots when traveling on unstable terrain. Most hiking boots and even hiking shoes also are made out of sturdier material than tennis shoes. That translates to better protection against thorns, spines, abrasions and other trail hazards. Some boots also have a thick rubber band around the outside of the boot for extra protection, almost like a bumper.
Waterproof -- or Not
Some hiking boots have a waterproof bootie sewn into the fabric; as long as the water or mud doesn't go over the top of the boot, your foot stays dry. Other hiking-specific footwear takes the opposite approach, with a permeable mesh that allows water to flow out as quickly as it flowed in. This means that even if your feet get wet, they won't stay wet as long as they would if you were wearing tennis shoes, which tend to soak up water and become a squishy, soggy mess.
Tread
Most hiking boots and shoes come with extra-rugged tread, designed to provide extra traction on uneven surfaces. This results in better grip than most tennis shoes, although your hiking boots still might slip on mud or wet surfaces. Ideally, you should buy hiking boots that you can return if you decide the soles are too slippery once you hit the trail.
Rigidity
Most hiking boots have a shank, or stiff midsole insert, that provides extra stiffness and support. The shank might be made of nylon or plastic to keep the boot light, or you might occasionally encounter a steel shank in heavier boots. Some hiking boots also have a semi-flexible plate sandwiched underneath the shank and midsole. This plate provides the extra stiffness you need to keep from bruising your feet on uneven, hard terrain like gravel and scree.
Considerations
No matter what sort of footwear you buy, be sure to spend adequate time breaking it in before you go for long hikes. Take progressively longer outings until you're confident you can go the entire distance on a long trip without getting blisters or sore feet. In general, the stiffer and heavier your hiking boot is, the longer it takes to break in. Tennis shoes usually don't take as long to break in, but they're also less likely to stand up to the prolonged abuse of hiking than hiking boots.
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