Best Climbing Cams of 2024

Reasons to Buy

• Superior durability and material craftsmanship
• Remarkable versatility across different rock types
• Excellent holding power and expansion range
• Responsive trigger action and smooth handling

Reasons to Avoid

• Somewhat higher price than other models
• Not the lightest option out there

When it comes to climbing gear, the Black Diamond Camalot C4 certainly shows up on the top of the list. Its popularity in the climbing community is a testament to its reliability, quality, and performance.

One of the first things that buyers notice about the Camalot C4 is its wide range of sizes. This diversity lets you handle anything thrown at you, offering a secure placement for a variety of cracks. Plus, we've read consistent praise for the cam's color-coded scheme, which helps climbers swiftly identify the right size gear during those high-stress climbing moments.

The Camalot C4 has a reputation for its durable built thanks to its robust construction. Customers often mention its longevity, which they ascribe to the device's double-axle design. This feature lends the cam an impressive lifespan, which is an attractive quality for climbers investing in their gear.

As for the action of the device, users have claimed that it offers smooth trigger operation, allowing for a quick and easy placement or retrieval. However, this does come with its own set of criticisms. Some users mentioned that the trigger can be somewhat hard to engage when you're wearing gloves. But for barehanded climbers, the sensitivity and precision are usually just right.

Flexibility is another feature that received plenty of positive commentary. The C4 provides an ideal balance between stiffness for control and flex for reducing walking, a feature that climbers highly appreciate. Despite its stiffness, it still manages to reduce the occurrence of the cam 'walking' into less ideal positions.

However, no product is perfect, and the Camalot C4 is no exception. One of the notable criticism centers around its weight. While it’s not considered the heaviest traditional cam on the market, a few climbers have shared their concerns about the added weight, especially when scaling lengthy routes with a full rack. Hauling up the extra ounces was sometimes noted as burdensome.

Another point of contention was its price point. While there's no denying the high quality of the Camalot C4, a few people mentioned wishing it came with a smaller price tag. But for them, it’s more about the value offered, and in most cases, they still find it worth the higher cost.

While these criticisms are there, they don't overshadow the vast amount of praise that the Black Diamond Camalot C4 receives from climbers. The overwhelmingly positive comments and commendations from users indicate the cam not only gets the job done but does it efficiently.

Reasons to Buy

• Child's play to place and remove
• Impressive expansion range
• Durable with hard-wearing material
• Superb holding power
• Versatile in different climbing environments

Reasons to Avoid

• Somewhat expensive
• Trigger action may feel stiff
• Not the lightest cam on the market

When it comes to climbing gear, the Wild Country Friend Cam falls nothing short of remarkable. This is one of the top-rated cams for its robustness and versatility, made explicit by numerous user reviews online.

Wild Country has aimed at providing a device that is functional and reliable, and with the Friend Cam, they've certainly hit the mark. Its twin-axle, double cam units give it a wide range and set it apart from single axle versions, providing more stability and friction against the rock surface.

Users have consistently praised the Friend Cam's smooth trigger action, a critical feature when you're hanging onto a rock face trying to secure your next placement.

Another applauded feature of the Friend Cam is its extendable dyneema sling. This feature can really come in handy as it can shape-shift, reducing the need for additional quickdraws which in turn can save you both weight and money.

As for its construction, it's built to endure. It's made from a combination of high grade, alloy steel and heat-treated aluminum, offering exceptional strength and durability. The Friend Cam's hot forged lobes are mentioned often in online reviews for their excellent weight to strength ratio.

However, durability does come at a price. A few users shared that the Friend Cam is slightly heavier than some other models, which may be a drawback for those looking for ultra-light equipment.

Despite the weight, climbers agree that the Friend Cam's solid construction and ingenious design, combined with its excellent range, reliable operation and versatility, outweigh any potential downsides.

In terms of cost, the Friend Cam sits at the higher end of the price spectrum. But, the almost unanimous user consensus here is that you're getting what you're paying for - which is a reliable and innovative piece of climbing equipment that could last for many climbing adventures.

To sum it up, the Wild Country Friend Cam has found favour with the climbing community as reflected in numerous glowing online reviews. It has proven to be a piece of high-quality, reliable equipment, that offers excellent functionality and lifespan.

Reasons to Buy

• Good range anxiety
• Versatile size options
• Excellent fit to rock shapes
• Trustworthy solidity
• Top-notch build quality

Reasons to Avoid

• A bit pricey
• Relatively heavier
• Trigger wires are exposed
• Requires designated skill to place correctly

Let’s dive into the goings-on about one of the most talked-about climbing cams in the market today: The Totem Cam. According to users, the cam is popular for its direct-bias loading function that enables all lobes to proportionally share the weight - a function that apparently works impressively in real-life climbing conditions.

Users say that the Totem Cam stands out as it handles irregular fissures like a champ. This is particularly handy with routes that don’t have picture-perfect cam placements, a frequent scenario in real rock climbing, I'd say! Plus, it's designed to work in both parallel-sided cracks and flared placements.

The cam's flexiblility is another talking point amongst users. Its flexible stem and unique construction allow it to move and align with the rope's pull. However, some users have raised concerns about the cam's durability. While the flexibility of the cam is unquestionably a boon, frequent usage in harsh climbing conditions might impact its longevity.

Quality build is a common shout-out when it comes to the Totem Cam. Customers applaud the craftsmanship that has gone into creating this cam. The well-thought-out color-coding for the different sizes helps climbers to quickly identify the cam to use - a feature that users take to rather well.

User reviews also highlight the cam’s good handling. From extending their sling to retrieving it from a hard placement, climbers share that the Totem Cam's ergonomic thumb press and trigger increases handling and comfort. On the flip side of this, some climbers did express a bit of struggle as the thin cam lobes and soft alloy might potentially make placement and extraction a tad bit challenging.

While it's towards the steep end of the price range, those climbers who value robust and versatile gear believe it's worth every penny. It's hailed as a versatile workhorse that can handle a variety of climbing conditions. Pricey? Yes... But according to them, being able to trust the cam in tricky situations makes the extra cost worthwhile.

Reasons to Buy

• Great value for the price
• Versatile range
• Reliable holding power
• Quality material and design
• Easy trigger action and handling

Reasons to Avoid

• Heavier compared to some options
• Not ideal for very small or very large cracks
• Some users find trigger stiff after continued use

The Black Diamond Camalot is a top pick for climbers on a budget. This little item doesn't compromise on quality while giving your wallet a break. Wouldn't it be like climbing Mount Everest without stepping out of your living room? Yes, you heard it right!

Wrapped in a sleek anodized armor, the Camalot boasts reliable durability. Its lobes are built to withstand the typical wear and tear that comes with climbing. Plus, it features a double axle design which provides ample range versatility. This means the Camalot is versatile enough to fit in various crack sizes. Killing two birds with one stone or what?

The weighted trigger pull on the cam unit's stem is smooth and easy to handle, even after repeated use. No more cursing under your breath over stubborn gear. The Black Diamond Camalot has got you covered!

As for the protection, many buyers mentioned how they felt safe and secure using the product. The expansion range and grip strength add to its solid performance in diverse climbing situations. The color-coding not only adds to the aesthetics but also simplifies identification on the climbing belt. Now, that's something every climber dreams of right?

Yet, as with any product, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Some users have pointed out that the Camalot is a bit on the heavy side. This could make it slightly burdensome during longer climbs. So, if you're into Super alpine or ice climbing, you might want to keep this in mind.

Another gripe a few climbers have had is the stiff price tag. Even though it lies within the 'Budget' niche, it's not the cheapest option on the market. But hey, good things don’t come cheap and the Black Diamond Camalot is no exception.

Online reviewers, overall, swear by the product's quality and reliability. Yes, it has its small quirks, and it may not fit everyone's budget or climbing style. However, for a good chunk of climbers who purchased the product, it's a durable and reliable buddy on their climbing adventures.

Reasons to Buy

• Ultralight design saves overall weight
• Broad range of sizes to suit any crack
• Ideal for long multi-pitch routes
• Doubled up dyneema cable reduces weight without compromising strength

Reasons to Avoid

• Pricey compared to competition
• Dyneema may wear faster than thicker cables

The Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight has built a reputation as one of the staples in the Ultralight climbing niche. Remember those old school bulky cams that seemed to weigh you down? This sleek and lightweight model is a refreshing departure from that.

Many users rave about the weight, or rather the lack of it. Trimmed down from the original Black Diamond Camalot, the Ultralight version has dropped up to 25% of the weight. However, even with its featherweight design, users report that it does not compromise on the sturdy and durable feel that’s needed when you're free-climbing.

One of the most loved features users frequently mention is the color-coded slings and lobes which add to ease of use and speed up the selection process when you're mid-climb. It’s like having traffic lights guiding your decisions in high-stress moments where every second counts.

The camming range is another area where the Camalot Ultralight shines: generous and versatile. Whether you're handling tricky placements or easy crack climbs, users appreciate the wide range of options. Complaints? Yeah, they're scarce but we did spot a few. A handful of climbers note that the Ultralight is a bit pricier and say that the trigger wires seem delicate, raising concerns about the cam’s long-term durability.

To wrap up, from multi-pitch climbs to deep crack adventures, the Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight has been a trusty companion for many climbers. It looks like it has found its sweet spot in balancing weight efficiency, utility, and durability - justifying its higher price for many users out there.