Brand: Black Diamond
Category: Climbing Protection
Recommended by Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide — Denver, CO
Highlights: durable
The Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam 0.75 is a versatile and reliable climbing tool designed for optimal performance and safety. Its innovative design allows for secure placements while maintaining flexibility during climbs, making it an essential addition to any climber's gear. 1. Dual axle design provides superior expansion range for a secure fit in various crack sizes. 2. Lightweight construction ensures minimal impact on your overall climbing load. 3. Rigid body allows for easy handling and precise placements, enhancing user confidence. 4. Flexible stem design adapts to rock features, improving stability as you climb past. 5. Color-coded for easy identification, allowing for quick selection during climbs. 6. Durable materials ensure long-lasting performance in rugged outdoor conditions. 7. Tested for reliability, meeting stringent safety standards for climbing gear. The Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam 0.75 is ideal for rock climbing enthusiasts seeking reliable protection in various terrains. Best suited for trad climbing in both sport and multi-pitch environments, it excels in cracks and crevices. This cam is perfect for intermediate to advanced climbers who require dependable gear for challenging ascents, particularly in spring and summer conditions when outdoor climbing is at its peak.
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.
Brent Smith's review
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 by Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam 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 Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam?
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 Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam?
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 Brent Smith say about the Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam?
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!
Why does Brent Smith recommend Black Diamond?
Brent Smith recommends the Black Diamond Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam for climbing protection. 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!
Is the Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam a good climbing protection?
Yes — Brent Smith recommends the Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam by Black Diamond as their climbing protection pick. 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!
More from Brent Smith's Trad Climbing
View Brent Smith's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
17 experts recommend the Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam.
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
Ben Lim, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Ski Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide
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 in Rock Climbing Essentials
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 smaller ranges. has a flexible stem to inspire more confidence when direction of pull of the placements is a concern. (I use the z4 cam from .1-.75)
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
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
