Brand: Black Diamond
Category: Climbing Protection
Recommended by Woody Jacobson, AMGA Certified Rock Guide — Seattle, WA
Highlights: durable, flexible stem, narrow head, tricky placements
The Camalot™ Z4 is a revolutionary climbing cam designed for optimal performance and versatility, featuring a unique RigidFlex stem that ensures stability in hand and flexibility upon placement. With its advanced design and smaller size options, this cam is perfect for both seasoned climbers and those tackling challenging routes. 1. Patented RigidFlex stem allows for rigidity during handling while flexing upon placement for secure anchoring. 2. Independently floating trigger wires prevent bending under tension, enhancing reliability during climbs. 3. Dual twisted cable construction in larger sizes provides uniform flex, while smaller sizes utilize single cable construction to minimize trigger profile. 4. Four lobes with a sandblasted finish improve holding power, ensuring a strong grip in various rock types. 5. Available in sizes ranging from #0 to .75, catering to a wide range of climbing scenarios from tips cracks to fast alpine ascents. 6. Similar head-width to the Camalot C3, allowing for seamless integration into existing gear setups. 7. Lightweight design enhances portability without compromising on strength or performance. The Camalot™ Z4 is ideal for traditional climbing, particularly in environments where precision and reliability are crucial, such as multi-pitch routes and technical ascents. It excels in rocky terrains, from desert cracks to alpine faces, making it suitable for climbers of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner looking to build confidence or an expert seeking to push your limits, the Z4 is designed to perform under pressure, ensuring safety and efficiency in every climb.
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.
Woody Jacobson's review
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 by Woody Jacobson, AMGA Certified Rock 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 Woody Jacobson say about the Camalot™ Z4?
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.
Why does Woody Jacobson recommend Black Diamond?
Woody Jacobson recommends the Black Diamond Camalot™ Z4 for climbing protection. 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.
Is the Camalot™ Z4 a good climbing protection?
Yes — Woody Jacobson recommends the Camalot™ Z4 by Black Diamond as their climbing protection pick. 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.
More from Woody Jacobson's Rock Climbing Mentorship Program
View Woody Jacobson's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
19 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
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
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
