looking for some winter boots for my wife as her 3-season boots soles are too bendy for things like kicking thru hard snow to get up hills without getting bruised toes. 
Must take a crampon and have a reasonably stiff sole but not too stiff.
Most important things are low weight and fairly robust.
Any suggestions?
Any recommendations?

Justin, the Kayland Apex Treks may be worth a look at - especially at that price from Rock and Run. I've got the Apex Rocks which are pretty similar, and as a pair they're 200g lighter than my leather Raichle (now Mammut) Mountain Trail XT GTX which are graded B0 or B1 by some retailers.

I've found the Rocks very comfy without any breaking in needed, and not too stiff - though obviously that's a personal thing.

Thanks, we're trying to narrow down the selection before we go and get some.

Had an unsuccesful trip in Ambleside last week including one shop that said it was the wrong time of year to buy womens boots that take a crampon because the stock was in "transition" from winter to spring and they were "filtering" out some items. (Gaynors)

I got my Apex Rocks at Lakes Runner and Climber, but I know several OMers have taken advantage of that offer at Rock and Run, just getting them mail order.

Can't believe Gaynors!!

The La Sportiva Trango S Evo might be worth a look too; like the Kaylands, not leather boots, so lighter, but still fairly stiff.

tried some Boreal in Lakes Runner but sadly too wide. They'd ran out of Kayland Boots there. Very nice and helpful staff though

Do Rock Run have a shop anymore? Lakes Climber is in one of their old premises.

Gaynors was very quiet (it was Monday) and clearly the staff had nowt to do other than extend their vocab. I thought we were in a Dilbert cartoon when they said that.

any more suggestions?

Has anyone used Scarpa Charmoz or Cristallo?