In reply to Beano:
> but can they be used for general hiking around ok above the snow line in relative comfort ?
I'm not sure why you would pick such an expensive and specialist climbing boot if your main use was going to be hiking. They are designed for ice and mixed climbing - i.e. with a crampon on much of time. Of course you can hike in them, but if that's your main thing I would buy a more classic winter boot, probably of leather which will deal with abrasion of hiking better. The Baturas are impressively light when you pick them up but then you're relying on a layer of basically material to keep your feet dry. Ice climbing in cold, snowy places is incredibly gentle on your boots I've found. My 8(?)year old and very well used Sportiva Trangos still look good except around the toe from front pointing. Most of the wear they've had, has come from a few days usage in Scotland. I reckon 1 day in Scotland does about the same wear as a season in here Finland (perhaps 30 climbing days?).
You can still climb hard in something like a Nepal Extreme but won't worry so much about bashing them in to scree hiking up to the snow and hiking all day in them.