Hiking Shoes  

I have and it works out fine.

no is isnt advisable to go hiking in tennis shoes. you should wear something a little more sturdy to move over rocky terrain. tennis shoes arent built for that kind of terrain and they won't give you grip. they'll also wear out really fast.

I only wear athletic shoes when I am walking on a well worn trail like at many urban or suburban parks. I wear hiking boots at all other times and it's worth it.

I actually found a pair of boots at Wal Mart for a really good price. They're not available all the time and you have to look for them. I was surprised at how comfortable they were and they really do help. However, for all day hikes or hikes over several days, they might not be that great. But, for those two or three hour hikes, they're perfect.

Depends on where you are hiking and how long you are hiking for. Tennis shoes are ok for short hikes a few hours long. Longer then that you should have a good pair of hiking boots. Your feet will thank you. I bought mine at a sporting goods store for around $100. They are sort of mid ground in price. If you plan on hiking alot it is worth the investment. I know because I injured my ankle quite a few years ago and have trouble with pain when they get over tired. the boots worked great. Don't forget to get a good pair of wool socks to go along with the boots.

They might be OK for flat dirt trails that aren't too rocky, but not much more. You can get hiking shoes that are better than tennis shoes, they aren't hightops but still give more support and traction than regular athletic shoes.