Full review

Black Diamond Camalot C4 Cam on the rock

The Black Diamond Camalot C4 is a spring-loaded camming device built for trad climbers who need dependable protection across a huge range of crack sizes. Its four-cam design, refined over decades of Black Diamond's engineering, uses a single stem construction that flexes to reduce leverage and walking, keeping the piece seated exactly where you placed it even during dynamic falls. The color-coded thumb loops and stamped size markings make quick identification easy when you're racking up before a climb or sorting gear mid-pitch, and the double-axle mechanism gives each cam a wide range within its size, meaning fewer pieces needed to cover the same crack dimensions compared to older single-axle designs.

Built with durable, lightweight materials, the C4 features a hot-forged aluminum cam lobe design that maximizes holding power while shaving grams off your rack, an important consideration on long multi-pitch routes or alpine objectives where every ounce matters. The trigger wires are sheathed in a durable coating to resist wear from repeated placements against rough granite, sandstone, or limestone, and the redesigned thumb press offers a more ergonomic, secure grip even when your hands are cold or slightly wet. Each cam lobe is precision-milled to maintain consistent camming angles across the entire expansion range, giving climbers confidence that the piece will hold in flaring, parallel-sided, or slightly irregular cracks alike.

Whether you're setting up an anchor at a belay station, building a traditional rack for a big wall, or placing gear on a splitter crack pitch, the Camalot C4 remains a trusted staple among trad and alpine climbers worldwide. Its proven strength ratings, tested against rigorous fall factors, mean climbers can commit to bold leads with confidence in their protection. Compatible with a full range of accessory slings and extendable draws, the C4 integrates seamlessly into any rack, making it a go-to choice for everything from single-pitch cragging to committing big wall ascents where reliable, lightweight protection is non-negotiable.

Where it sits in the Protection field

Against the other 11 protection pieces on the bench, this one lands at #6 overall with a bench score of 89. Its strongest axis is on-rock performance; its weakest is comfort, which is where the closest alternatives listed alongside make up ground.