Brand: TAZ
Category: Climbing General
Recommended by Nicholas Metz, Mountain Guide — North Conway, NH
Highlights: durable
<p><meta charset="utf-8"><span data-mce-fragment="1">Born from a heart-to-heart with Black Diamond's top trad-climbing BD Athletes Hazel Findlay, Carlo Traversi, Sam Elias, and Babsi Zangerl, the Camalot Z4 is the realization of a dream: to have a single-stem cam that stays rigid in-hand, but flexes once placed. Behold—the patent-pending RigidFlex stem. Thanks to the independently floating trigger wires the Camalot Z4 doesn’t bend while under tension and retracted, but once placed allows the stem to move, ensuring a placement that stays put and doesn’t walk when pulled directionally.</span></p> <div class="product_accordion__content active"> <div class="rte"> <div class="metafield-rich_text_field"> <p>The stem on the larger sizes also utilizes dual twisted cable construction which provides uniform flex in all directions, while single cable construction is implemented on smaller sizes to avoid buckling when pulling hard on the trigger and to reduce trigger profile. Featuring a similar head-width as our old Camalot C3 design, but with 4 lobes that are sandblasted for better holding power, the Z4’s are not only an upgrade, but are also available is smaller sizes—starting from #0, our smallest cam ever made, and ranging to 0.75, allowing you to dial in the rack, whether you’re gunning for a tips crack in the desert, or going light and fast in the Bugs.</p> <ul> <li><span data-mce-fragment="1">RigidFlex stem stays rigid in-hand for easy placement, but flexes once placed to reduce walking</span></li> <li>Dual twisted cable construction for uniform flex on larger sizes; single cable construction on smaller sizes to avoid buckling and reduce trigger profile</li> <li>Narrow head width for tight placements</li> <li>Sandblasted lobes for better holding power</li> <li>Lightweight yet durable Dynex sling with a unique color scheme for easy identification from other Camalots</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>
Price: $99.95
- Who it's for
- Trad climbers who need reliable small cams (sizes 0–0.75) for tight or horizontal placements where standard cams won't fit. Hosts suggest pairing with C4s for larger sizes to build a full rack.
- What people are saying
- Multiple hosts call these their favorite small cams, citing the flexible stem and narrow head width as standout features for tricky placements. The one consistent criticism is that trigger wires wear out within roughly a year of heavy use, though they are non-load-bearing and cheap/easy to replace DIY or via Black Diamond.
- Worth noting
- Available only in sizes 0–0.75, so they cover the small end of a rack only. Trigger wire durability is a known recurring maintenance item, not a safety concern.
Nicholas Metz's review
These are great cams that come in smaller sizes. I think they are among the best small cams out there. They do have one downside though - The trigger wires aren't particularly durable. The trigger wires on mine usually only last a year, although that's with heavy use. Luckily, the trigger wires are not a load bearing piece of the cam, so there are plenty of easy DIY ways to replace the trigger wires for pennies and about 10 minutes of your time. Alternatively, you can send them to Black Diamond to be repaired,
Recommended by Nicholas Metz, Mountain Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Camalot Z4 Cams for?
Trad climbers who need reliable small cams (sizes 0–0.75) for tight or horizontal placements where standard cams won't fit. Hosts suggest pairing with C4s for larger sizes to build a full rack.
What do experts say about the Camalot Z4 Cams?
Multiple hosts call these their favorite small cams, citing the flexible stem and narrow head width as standout features for tricky placements. The one consistent criticism is that trigger wires wear out within roughly a year of heavy use, though they are non-load-bearing and cheap/easy to replace DIY or via Black Diamond.
What should you know before buying the Camalot Z4 Cams?
Available only in sizes 0–0.75, so they cover the small end of a rack only. Trigger wire durability is a known recurring maintenance item, not a safety concern.
What does Nicholas Metz say about the Camalot Z4 Cams?
These are great cams that come in smaller sizes. I think they are among the best small cams out there. They do have one downside though - The trigger wires aren't particularly durable. The trigger wires on mine usually only last a year, although that's with heavy use. Luckily, the trigger wires are not a load bearing piece of the cam, so there are plenty of easy DIY ways to replace the trigger wires for pennies and about 10 minutes of your time. Alternatively, you can send them to Black Diamond to be repaired,
Why does Nicholas Metz recommend TAZ?
Nicholas Metz recommends the TAZ Camalot Z4 Cams for climbing general. These are great cams that come in smaller sizes. I think they are among the best small cams out there. They do have one downside though - The trigger wires aren't particularly durable. The trigger wires on mine usually only last a year, although that's with heavy use. Luckily, the trigger wires are not a load bearing piece of the cam, so there are plenty of easy DIY ways to replace the trigger wires for pennies and about 10 minutes of your time. Alternatively, you can send them to Black Diamond to be repaired,
Is the Camalot Z4 Cams a good climbing general?
Yes — Nicholas Metz recommends the Camalot Z4 Cams by TAZ as their climbing general pick. These are great cams that come in smaller sizes. I think they are among the best small cams out there. They do have one downside though - The trigger wires aren't particularly durable. The trigger wires on mine usually only last a year, although that's with heavy use. Luckily, the trigger wires are not a load bearing piece of the cam, so there are plenty of easy DIY ways to replace the trigger wires for pennies and about 10 minutes of your time. Alternatively, you can send them to Black Diamond to be repaired,
More from Nicholas Metz's Rock Climbing
View Nicholas Metz's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
19 experts recommend the TAZ Camalot Z4 Cams.
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 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
Joe Hampton, Rock Climbing Guide, Veterinary Candidate, Veteran
For sizes .5 and below
Recommended in My First List
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
