Full review

Black Diamond Camalot Z4 Cam on the rock

The Black Diamond Camalot Z4 is a micro to small-size cam engineered for climbers who need reliable protection in the tightest, most awkward placements. Built with a four-cam design and a single stem construction, it fills the gap where traditional cams struggle, offering trusted holding power in thin cracks, pin scars, and shallow placements found on granite, sandstone, and other rock types. The Z4 series spans sizes from 0 (red) to 3 (orange), covering a range that's essential for finishing off any trad climber's small cam arsenal, particularly on routes demanding precision protection in delicate seams.

What sets the Camalot Z4 apart is its innovative dual axle design combined with a widened head angle, which increases the cam's range within each size while maintaining consistent, dependable holding power throughout that range. The stainless steel construction on the smaller sizes (0-0.4) resists wear from repeated placements in abrasive rock, while the color-coded thumb pieces and sling colors matching Black Diamond's larger Camalot line make on-the-fly size identification instant and intuitive, even amid the adrenaline of a tricky lead. The single stem is more flexible than older cam designs, allowing it to bend and articulate in horizontal placements without compromising the trigger action or cam head orientation, a critical feature when placements demand creative rock-to-gear angles.

Weighing in remarkably light for its size class, the Z4 doesn't sacrifice durability or strength for that reduced bulk, making it a favorite among climbers who count every gram on long multi-pitch routes or alpine objectives. The dyneema sling, rated for real-world climbing loads, resists water absorption and retains strength across seasons of use, while the anodized aluminum cam lobes maintain their bite on rock over years of hard trad climbing. Whether you're building an anchor in a shallow crack, protecting a delicate finger-lock section, or backing up gear in overhanging terrain, the Camalot Z4 delivers the confidence and versatility that has made it a staple in serious trad climbers' kits worldwide.

Where it sits in the Protection field

Against the other 11 protection pieces on the bench, this one lands at #47 overall with a bench score of 81. Its strongest axis is on-rock performance; its weakest is comfort, which is where the closest alternatives listed alongside make up ground.