Full review

Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight Cam on the rock

The Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight cam represents a focused evolution of the trusted C4 design, stripping weight without sacrificing the holding power climbers depend on when placing protection on trad routes. Black Diamond achieved this by swapping the traditional stemmed construction for a lightweight sling-and-cable configuration paired with a machined aluminum thumb loop, shedding significant grams compared to the standard Camalot line. The double-axle cam lobes retain the wide range per size that Camalot users have come to expect, allowing a single unit to cover a broader crack range than many rigid-stem alternatives, which means climbers can carry fewer total pieces on a rack while still protecting a wide spectrum of placements from thin seams to wider hand and fist cracks.

On the wall, the Ultralight distinguishes itself through its trigger action and lobe geometry, both refined from Black Diamond's long history of cam manufacturing. The four-lobe cam head uses a stiffer, more durable Dyneema sling in place of the wire cable found on some competitors, improving flexibility in horizontal placements while resisting abrasion against rough rock. The color-coded thumb loops make rack organization intuitive at a glance, even when a climber is pumped and needs to identify the correct size quickly during a long reach above a gear placement. Anodized lobes resist wear from repeated cycles of placement and retrieval, and the cam's action remains smooth even after exposure to dirt, sand, or grit commonly encountered on multi-pitch trad and alpine routes.

For climbers focused on long alpine routes, big walls, or simply reducing overall pack weight on multi-pitch trad days, the Camalot Ultralight offers a meaningful weight savings across a full rack of sizes, which adds up considerably when carrying a dozen or more pieces plus slings, quickdraws, and other protection. The trade-off in exchange for that reduced weight is a slightly less rugged feel than the standard Camalot, making it a piece best suited to climbers who prioritize speed and efficiency and who maintain careful gear habits. Overall, the Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight cam serves as a specialized tool within a trad rack, delivering dependable holding strength, wide size coverage per unit, and a lighter carry that appeals to alpinists and free climbers pushing for long link-ups where every ounce on the harness matters.

Where it sits in the Protection field

Against the other 11 protection pieces on the bench, this one lands at #14 overall with a bench score of 86. Its strongest axis is weight saving; its weakest is comfort, which is where the closest alternatives listed alongside make up ground.