Brand: Black Diamond
Category: Climbing Protection
Recommended by Ben Lim, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Ski Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide — Pacific Northwest, USA
Highlights: durable, narrow head
The Camalot™ Z4 is a revolutionary single-stem cam designed for trad climbers, offering unmatched rigidity in-hand and flexibility once placed. With its patented RigidFlex stem and enhanced holding power, this cam is perfect for both seasoned climbers and those seeking to conquer challenging routes with confidence. 1. Patented RigidFlex stem technology allows for rigidity during handling and flexibility upon placement, ensuring secure and stable positioning. 2. Independently floating trigger wires prevent bending under tension while providing optimal performance once placed. 3. Larger sizes feature dual twisted cable construction for uniform flex in all directions, while smaller sizes utilize single cable construction to minimize trigger profile and avoid buckling. 4. Four lobes with a sandblasted finish enhance holding power, making the Z4 a significant upgrade over previous models. 5. Available in a range of sizes from #0 to .75, including the smallest cam ever made, catering to diverse climbing needs and preferences. 6. Similar head-width to the old Camalot C3 design, ensuring compatibility with existing gear while improving overall functionality. 7. Ideal for both tips cracks in desert environments and lightweight ascents in alpine settings, providing versatility for various climbing scenarios. The Camalot™ Z4 is designed primarily for traditional climbing, excelling in environments where secure placements are crucial. It performs best in rock formations that require precise gear placements, making it ideal for both sport and alpine climbers. Targeted towards intermediate to advanced climbers, this cam is perfect for tackling challenging routes, whether in the desert or mountainous terrains. Its compact design allows for easy racking, making it a go-to choice for those looking to optimize their gear for fast and efficient climbs.
Price: $99.95
- Who it's for
- Trad climbers who want small cams (sizes 0–0.75) that fit shallow, narrow, or horizontal placements where a standard C4 won't go. Hosts consistently recommend them as a second set on a double rack in finger-sized pieces, sizes 0.3–0.75.
- What people are saying
- Hosts overwhelmingly favor these as their top small cam, citing the narrow head width and flexible stem as the defining advantages. No notable criticism appears across the notes; praise is one-sided and consistent.
- Worth noting
- Only available in sizes 0–0.75, so C4s are still needed for larger sizes. One host flags trigger wire durability as something to be mindful of, advising against frequent falls on small gear.
Ben Lim's review
A nice refinement over the the C4 cams, the Z4's have smaller heads which allow them to fit in more placements. Love them.
Recommended by Ben Lim, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Ski Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Camalot™ Z4 for?
Trad climbers who want small cams (sizes 0–0.75) that fit shallow, narrow, or horizontal placements where a standard C4 won't go. Hosts consistently recommend them as a second set on a double rack in finger-sized pieces, sizes 0.3–0.75.
What do experts say about the Camalot™ Z4?
Hosts overwhelmingly favor these as their top small cam, citing the narrow head width and flexible stem as the defining advantages. No notable criticism appears across the notes; praise is one-sided and consistent.
What should you know before buying the Camalot™ Z4?
Only available in sizes 0–0.75, so C4s are still needed for larger sizes. One host flags trigger wire durability as something to be mindful of, advising against frequent falls on small gear.
What does Ben Lim say about the Camalot™ Z4?
A nice refinement over the the C4 cams, the Z4's have smaller heads which allow them to fit in more placements. Love them.
Why does Ben Lim recommend Black Diamond?
Ben Lim recommends the Black Diamond Camalot™ Z4 for climbing protection. A nice refinement over the the C4 cams, the Z4's have smaller heads which allow them to fit in more placements. Love them.
Is the Camalot™ Z4 a good climbing protection?
Yes — Ben Lim recommends the Camalot™ Z4 by Black Diamond as their climbing protection pick. A nice refinement over the the C4 cams, the Z4's have smaller heads which allow them to fit in more placements. Love them.
More from Ben Lim's Rock Climbing Essentials
View Ben Lim's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
17 experts recommend the Black Diamond Camalot™ Z4.
Cora Hanson, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
With a super flexible stem that prevents walking and a narrow head width that fits in tight placements, these cams fit where many others won't. I normally carry singles in the Z4 including 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.75.
Recommended in Top Rope Anchors
Clara Maynard, AMGA Apprentice Rock/Alpine Guide & Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Favorite cams in sizes 0.3-0.75
Recommended in Mixed Climbing
Teddy Dondanville, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor
In my opinion, nobody makes better spring-loaded camming devices than Black Diamond. So, if you want to get into building trad anchors, go for some Black Diamond Z4 cams. They’re strong, durable, and reliable.
Recommended in Top Rope Anchor Kit
Ryan Harris, Mountain Guide and Ski Patroller
my favorite cam in the smaller ranges
Recommended in Traditional rock climbing
Spencer Huffman, Rock and Alpine Guide | Climbing Instructor and Coach
Excellent cam head widths. Perfect for shallower cracks and horizontal placements. Hard to go to anything else in these sizes once you've converted!
Recommended in Trad Climbing Gear
Dan Morley, Rock Climbing Guide
The Z4's are my favorite cams on the market. Since they are only available for the small sizes (0 to 0.75), I would recommend buying Z4's in all the sizes available, then get C4's for the larger sized cams. For full-rack quantities, you'll want two of each for size 0.3 to size 3. Only one cam needed for sizes 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 4.
Recommended in Trad Climbing Gear
John Willard, Founder & Lead Guide @ Willard Mountain Guides
These are my cams of choice for small cams. I have a full double rack of these and I really love the sizing & color matches for my brain to know what cam I have. The smaller heads and flexible stem are a huge pro.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
Z4s are a great small cam. Their narrow head and flexible stem allow them to be placed in small pods, and tight spaces. In my "standard rack" I carry two each in 0.3-0.75, occasionally supplementing with the smaller sizes
Recommended in Trad Climbing
The Z4 cams are some of the most versatile cams around. Their narrow head width and large camming range lets them fit in places where a standard C4 or equivalent just won't. I carry a single rack of these from .1 - .75.
Recommended in What's in Cal's Gunks bag?
Owen Duda, Climber, Guide, Craftsman, Writer
The Z4 Cams are incredible BD Cams that follow the same sizing as the traditional C4's, but have a more narrow head. The smaller head of the cam allows you to place cams in certain cracks/pin scars that a C4 can't fit. Z4's serve as an incredible second half of your "double rack" in your finger sized pieces.
Recommended in Trad Climbing
Michael Murphy, Rock Climbing Instructor and Business Owner
If you have the $$ then pick these up in the smaller sizes instead of the Camalot C4s. These go into places that the C4s wont fit, and feel just as bomber.
Recommended in Guide Kit
Jay Black, AMGA SPI-Splitboarder
Can’t go wrong with a rack of these
Recommended in Climbing gear
Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide
My preferred small cam due to the flexible stem and consistent sizing. I haven't had any issues with trigger wire durability but do my best to not fall on small gear.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide
The Z4's are my favorite small cams; they have a flexible stem to allow for horizontal placements, and a more rigid flex when placing and removing them in cracks. The narrow head width means they fit almost anywhere!
Recommended in Trad Climbing
I think these are the best small cams. I use these for sizes 0.75 and smaller.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
The narrow heads on these cams allow them to fit into tricky placements. They are flexible when you want them to be and rigid when you need them to stay in place.
Recommended in Rock Climbing Mentorship Program
