OutdoorGearLab

The new Black Diamond Camalot Z4 was released with much hype around its innovative RigidFlex stem design. Each stem features dual, twisted cables that are flexible in any direction, combined with a trigger mechanism that increases the rigidity as it is pulled. This design effectively combines the desire for a flexing stem when a unit is placed, reducing the likelihood of walking &mdash; while also providing the rigidity needed to place and remove the cam with ease. Compared to its BD predecessors, these cams are also lighter, have a far narrower head width for easier shallow placements, and include a new addition, the green 0. Considering these improvements, and their super smooth trigger action and overall ease of use while free climbing, we think these are the best small cams you can buy, and wholeheartedly endorse them as the best small camming devices.
Although the RigidFlex stem works as advertised, we discovered it’s more efficient in smaller sizes with less weighty heads; the larger sizes are still a bit wobbly, even with the trigger pulled. This option is also not as light as some of its competitors. While you can expect to pay slightly more per unit, the price isn’t a deal-breaker. The newly updated Wild Country Zero Friends are equally as impressive with different advantages — two of which are the metal trigger sheaths and extendable slings, which we highly recommend checking out. While no small cam is perfect, and there are great advantages inherent in varying small cam designs, we feel that the Z4s are the ideal backbone for any rack in the smaller sizes, especially when free climbing.

The new Black Diamond Camalot Z4 was released with much hype around its innovative RigidFlex stem design. Each stem features dual, twisted cables that are flexible in any direction, combined with a trigger mechanism that increases the rigidity as it is pulled. This design effectively combines the desire for a flexing stem when a unit is placed, reducing the likelihood of walking &mdash; while also providing the rigidity needed to place and remove the cam with ease. Compared to its BD predecessors, these cams are also lighter, have a far narrower head width for easier shallow placements, and include a new addition, the green 0. Considering these improvements, and their super smooth trigger action and overall ease of use while free climbing, we think these are the best small cams you can buy, and wholeheartedly endorse them as the best small camming devices.
Although the RigidFlex stem works as advertised, we discovered it's more efficient in smaller sizes with less weighty heads; the larger sizes are still a bit wobbly, even with the trigger pulled. This option is also not as light as some of its competitors. While you can expect to pay slightly more per unit, the price isn't a deal-breaker. The newly updated Wild Country Zero Friends are equally as impressive with different advantages — two of which are the metal trigger sheaths and extendable slings, which we highly recommend checking out. While no small cam is perfect, and there are great advantages inherent in varying small cam designs, we feel that the Z4s are the ideal backbone for any rack in the smaller sizes, especially when free climbing.
Read more: Black Diamond Camalot Z4 review

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Durable, reliable, and made in the good ol' US of A, the Metolius Ultralight Master Cam are the best value you will find for finger-sized camming units. They have a more flexible stem than the Camalots and are available in larger sizes than the Aliens. Lightweight and compact, these cams are great for alpine climbing or whenever you need to shave ounces off your kit. While they wouldn't be the first cams we would recommend in larger sizes, for finger sizes and smaller, purchasing a set of these will save you a significant amount of cash over almost every other option.
The most noticeable disadvantage to these climbing cams is the lack of thumb loop, which helps to cut out the extra grams, but also makes them harder to quickly grab, and also limits the height you can clip into if aid climbing. They also use their own unique color scheme progression, which can take some practice to memorize if you are used to the schemes used by BD, Wild Country, or Aliens. While they have to be sent back to Metolius for repair if a trigger wire is damaged, this isn't such a big deal because Metolius is super easy to work with and very accommodating. Whether you want lightweight, or simply the most affordable, the Ultralight Master Cams are an ideal choice.

Durable, reliable, and made in the good ol' US of A, the Metolius Ultralight Master Cam are the best value you will find for finger-sized camming units. They have a more flexible stem than the Camalots and are available in larger sizes than the Aliens. Lightweight and compact, these cams are great for alpine climbing or whenever you need to shave ounces off your kit. While they wouldn't be the first cams we would recommend in larger sizes, for finger sizes and smaller, purchasing a set of these will save you a significant amount of cash over almost every other option.
The most noticeable disadvantage to these climbing cams is the lack of thumb loop, which helps to cut out the extra grams, but also makes them harder to quickly grab, and also limits the height you can clip into if aid climbing. They also use their own unique color scheme progression, which can take some practice to memorize if you are used to the schemes used by BD, Wild Country, or Aliens. While they have to be sent back to Metolius for repair if a trigger wire is damaged, this isn't such a big deal because Metolius is super easy to work with and very accommodating. Whether you want lightweight, or simply the most affordable, the Ultralight Master Cams are an ideal choice.
Read more: Metolius Ultralight Master Cam review

Climbing Cam Comparison