Phat is right, boots are boots. Put on your boots, start walking, you're hiking. Put on a pack, you're backpacking. Any difference? Not really. People wear trail runners to do the long trails like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest.

Unless you are carrying a big heavy pack on rough trails or off trails, most any boot that is comfortable will do fine. Some will last longer of course, depending on the quality.

The important thing is fit and support. Everything else is just details.

Preference-I wear a "real boot" for ankle support. Plenty of people here think that is old school and wear trail runners all the time.