In reply to TobyA:
> They look really interesting but are they really a boot?! A crampon compatible shoe sounds weird but they don't seem to actually have ankle support to them which I suppose I think of a boot as having?
Yes they are very interesting. The ankle sock makes them look like a boot at first glance but the section that actually gives support is definitely low cut like a shoe, however it does give tremendous support since they are exceptionally solid.
I am not a very experienced crampon user, and I don't think that crampon use is really a big feature of these, but they will take a crampon and as such, could be used for basic glacier crossing - I think. This wasn't tested though - no glaciers in the places I was trying them in France and Italy last year, nor in the Peak District.
Alan