Brand: Black Diamond
Category: Climbing Protection
Recommended by Owen Duda, Climber, Guide, Craftsman, Writer — New Hampshire
Highlights: durable
The Camalot™ Z4 is a revolutionary single-stem cam designed for trad climbers who demand reliability and performance. Featuring a patented RigidFlex stem, this cam provides exceptional holding power while ensuring flexibility upon placement, making it the ultimate choice for both seasoned climbers and adventurous beginners. 1. Patented RigidFlex Stem: Allows the cam to remain rigid in-hand while flexing once placed, ensuring optimal placement stability. 2. Independently Floating Trigger Wires: Prevents bending under tension, enhancing usability and reliability during climbs. 3. Dual Twisted Cable Construction: Utilized in larger sizes for uniform flex in all directions, enhancing performance and durability. 4. Single Cable Construction: Implemented in smaller sizes to prevent buckling and reduce trigger profile for easier handling. 5. Sandblasted Lobes: Four lobes designed for improved holding power, providing confidence during critical placements. 6. Compact Size Range: Available from #0, the smallest cam ever made, to .75, allowing climbers to customize their rack for various climbing scenarios. 7. Similar Head Width to Camalot C3: Offers compatibility with existing gear while delivering upgraded performance. The Camalot™ Z4 is ideal for trad climbing enthusiasts seeking dependable protection on multi-pitch routes and challenging crags. It excels in various environments, from desert tips cracks to alpine ascents, making it suitable for both seasoned climbers and those new to the sport. Its innovative design ensures optimal performance in any season, allowing climbers to tackle diverse challenges with confidence and precision.
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.
Owen Duda's review
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 by Owen Duda, Climber, Guide, Craftsman, Writer
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Camalot™ Z4- Individuals 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- Individuals?
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- Individuals?
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 Owen Duda say about the Camalot™ Z4- Individuals?
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.
Why does Owen Duda recommend Black Diamond?
Owen Duda recommends the Black Diamond Camalot™ Z4- Individuals for climbing protection. 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.
Is the Camalot™ Z4- Individuals a good climbing protection?
Yes — Owen Duda recommends the Camalot™ Z4- Individuals by Black Diamond as their climbing protection pick. 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.
More from Owen Duda's Trad Climbing
View Owen Duda's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
19 experts recommend the Black Diamond Camalot™ Z4- Individuals.
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?
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
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 in Rock Climbing
