Cam climbing equipment. Offset Cams Bring 2-3 of each size for most routes.
Cam climbing equipment. We are offering an in-store drop-off point for this service, however, NO payment goes through Climb On Equipment. Buy Your Camping Equipment Online with Camp & Climb Camp and Climb has been supplying South Africa with camping equipment for many years, and to date, we still offer a great range backed up by service excellence and friendly advice. In addition, they resist pull in any direction, giving you added security as you confidently climb past them. Ensure you select a durable cam cleat that can withstand repeated use. We’re here to help you choose the best climbing cams so you can jam your way up that next crack with confidence. Totem MT manufactures high performance climbing gear. Oct 25, 2022 · If you don’t use proper gear, or that gear fails, you may experience a ground fall and risk serious injury or death. Harnesses were available Nov 9, 2020 · The Wild Country Zero Friends have been newly redesigned and re-released in 2020, and are one of the best smaller camming devices you can buy today. May 16, 2016 · CGR does battle with the new welsh Dragons An increased contact area with a raw aluminium finish and additional bite points are the hallmarks of our revolutionary TripleGrip cam lobes. Jan 30, 2018 · The Wild Country Friends takes old single axle, thumb loopless design, and updates this classic to compete neck and neck with modern cams. Their unique design works in pockets and holes where others simply can't fit. Cam Repairs and re-slinging Cam repairs must include a Cam Repair Form. 19" Ultralight Fat Cams The world's only soft-rock specific cam unit! Find the best climbing cams from Black Diamond, DMM, Fixe, Metolius, Omega Pacific, Totem, Trango, Wild Country. Contact us for customization on harness and lanyards with quick turn around time. Bouldering needs the least equipment outside of climbing shoes, climbing chalk and optional crash pads. But that’s not to say cam design has stagnated: The invention of TCUs and other micro-cams, double-axle units, and offset cams has TRADITIONAL CLIMBING, ALSO CALLED TRAD CLIMBING OR JUST “TRAD,” is a particular style of roped climbing that involves placing your own protective equipment as you move up a climb, then removing it when you’re done. (Check out our Best Climbing Cams Review for a complete breakdown of the cams we tested). As one of the top tent suppliers in South Africa, we stock everything you could possibly need, from quality leading brand names like Tentco, Stanley, Oztrail May 19, 2023 · Check out our picks in our best climbing harness review. Well, trad climbing is your answer! Unlike the early days, modern trad climbers have access to gear such as spring-loaded camming devices, commonly known as cams. The piton. Offset Cams Bring 2-3 of each size for most routes. Check out our full climbing cam review to see how these cams rank versus competitors. In addition to the gear you use in an indoor wall or at a sport crag, you'll need some more specialist kit to climb a trad route. May 24, 2020 · Free Climbing The ergonomic thumb loop on the Alien Revolutions is awesome for free climbing, making it significantly easier to grab the cam and engage the triggers when you're pumped out of your mind. Wild Country is a major manufacturer of rock-climbing equipment and is most noted for introducing the Friend, a spring-loaded camming device. I’ve been climbing for over thirty years this year, so you can imagine that in that time I have owned every major advance in equipment that… Wild Country rigid Friend cams: two from 1980s and one from 1990s. Free EU shipping over 70€. www. It is up to you to determine if your cams are safe to climb on- and when to retire your gear. It’s an active camming device, which the term "active" also distinguishes it from other securing devices. Look at the teeth on your cams. Worldwide shipping. We used these cams on classic multi-pitch routes in Yosemite and Red Rocks, Squamish, the Bugaboos, and Eldorado Canyon, as well as at the most famous single-pitch trad crags, like Indian Creek. Jul 28, 2022 · The Gear You Need for Trad Climbing That’s a lot of gear! Traditional or “Trad” climbing involves placing your own protection as you climb. It consists of lobes mounted on an axle and stem, which expands to create an outward force on the rock. Shipped worldwide from our European warehouse. Cams are an essential but sometimes confusing piece of trad climbing equipment. Rock Climbing Friends Sets / Cams & Nuts / Stoppers What are rock climbing friends? Like other climbing devices such as belays, carabiners and quickdraws, harnesses, a climbing friend or cam is also an essential safety piece used for secure holds when climbing. Please do not send cams in without a completed form and RA# Our cam repair service is only available on Metolius cams. I picked these up based on their trustworthy reputation. 95 Sale Alien REVOLUTION Single Sling Cam - Grey: #A604 $40. A rigid stem is preferable when placing and removing cams, because it transfers the movement of your hand into the camming head, making it easy to wiggle in or out. Capture thrilling climbs with expert tools and elevate your rock climbing films! May 11, 2024 · We review the "Flip-Stop" Cam Carabiner Stabilizers from Avant Climbing Innovations, a durable and long-lasting gear enhancement for easy cam clipping Oct 20, 2024 · Learn the best methods and tips for storing your climbing gear in this comprehensive collection of articles. Synonymous with Black Diamond Equipment, the Camalot C4 is ready for first ascents, scenic trade routes, and funky new-age projects. Because the fulcrum of a tricam is a sharp point, it bites into soft, wet or icy rock when weighted, making it much better than a cam in these conditions. If you live outside of the states then it's a bit harder. They can be placed passively (like a nut) or actively (like a cam), depending on the orientation and features in the rock. it's dangerous. Select and Pay for Webbing type (10mm Wild Country® UK Best Deals on Climbing Cams & Friends Material Selection for your protection while climbing - FREE Delivery options! Aug 2, 2023 · Essential camera gear guide for rock climbing filmmakers. We break our first cam at the end! more Premium quality equipment for Climbing, Fall Protection, Rope Access, Rescue and Tree Care. 25 votes, 48 comments. 75, 1, 2, 3) has wide, rock-friendly cam lobes, high-friction machined faces Jul 9, 2024 · The flexible stem and narrow head width allow for placements in awkward spots where other cams struggle. Learn how to place climbing cams. By submitting your cams in for repair (for slings and triggers), you are responsible for inspecting your cams are safe to use. My older brother designed it, and we sewed our harnesses up on moms machine. Shop climbing gear, helmets, mountain equipment, and boots at Backcountry. Apr 16, 2010 · That said, usually a climbing cam with a flexible stem and narrow head will work in a Tricam placement. Always have, always will—and that’s why we love them. ’s Peak District, but it all started when Ray Jardine met Vallance in 1972 in Getting into leading trad routes? Learn how to choose types of passive protection, such as chocks, nuts and hexes. 67" Ultralight Offset Master Cams and Ultralight Offset TCU are for aid climbing, pin scars, flares or irregular cracks with a lot of inward or outward flaring. Explore trusted gear for building anchors, placing pro, and climbing with confidence. Enhance your rock climbing gear. Enroll in Climbing Photography With Jimmy Chin today! In my (very biased) opinion, mountains are the most beautiful View our large range of DMM climbing equipment, including harnesses, carabiners, cams and more! In stock now at Cotswold Outdoor. Oct 7, 2024 · Deciding when to retire gear is tough. Climbers often carry a large number of cams on traditional climbs. 34" to 1. I am often asked about how I started Metolius. A spring-loaded camming device is a piece of rock climbing or mountaineering protection equipment. Other full-sized climbing cam sets include Black Diamond C4 Aug 9, 2023 · Retire your cams if the cams have been damaged in a fall, if the cam teeth are worn away, if the tailpiece or crossbar is cracked, if the stem cable is frayed, kinked or damaged in any way, or if the springs are weak or damaged. Learn about the two main types of active climbing protecction (pro) including the ubiquitous cams and the less common spring-loaded wedges. Whether we’re protecting thin seams, offset cracks, or marginal features, the Totem Cam gives us the confidence to keep climbing, even when the gear gets thin. The wide camming range means that you are more likely to manage to make the cam you select off the harness Dec 16, 2019 · Value Rating: 9 Durability Rating: 10 Overall Rating: 8. See every brand, compare every detail, and find the best price. Petzl USA. Robust and reliable this Friend combines classic features and significant additions to create an intriguing mix of old and new. This is the story of how it began. They find their way into more placements than almost any other small cam. This video introduces the parts of a cam and provides an overview of different designs and their strengths and Wild Country Friends are built with a twin axle. Compact and lightweight, it can be used with single ropes from 8. 89" Ultralight TCUs are for narrow, tricky, hard to protect thin cracks. The core of every model remains the same—its 13. Rope: High-quality rope is critical for both safety and functionality during one-stick saddle hunting. This is in contrast to sport climbing, where you rely on Feb 3, 2025 · Whether you’re shooting for billboards or Instagram, we've tested the best lightweight adventure cameras to make the most of your moment. Quality outdoor apparel and gear for camping, backpacking, hiking, and climbing. Also see some examples of gear-racking options. Oct 28, 2016 · From cams to nuts to hexes, learn the basics of trad gear with tips for buying your first rack. In the past half century the gear we rely on has improved changing the sport. Jul 26, 2023 · Cam Cleat: A cam cleat is an important component of the one-stick setup as it allows for quick adjustment and secure attachment of your ropes while climbing. 20K subscribers in the tradclimbing community. " Jul 24, 2025 · So you’ve taken up climbing, but decided that sport climbing is too soft and you’re looking for a bit more grit, pain, and fear. Trad climbers have access to countless classics thanks to their gear-placing skills. While the original unit had two placements (one passive, one active), the Eshop with climbing equipment of Czech Republic. Jan 7, 2019 · GRIGRI Belay device with cam-assisted blocking. Mar 16, 2016 · The Lightest Cams on the Market The lifelong climbers at Metolius do things their own way. Born from a heart-to-heart with our top trad-climbing BD Athletes Hazel Findlay, Carlo Traversi, Sam Elias, and Babsi Zangerl, the Camalot Z4 Offsets are the realization of a dream: to have a single-stem cam that stays rigid in-hand, but flexes once placed. According to several mechanical engineers, climbing hardware (biners, cams, nuts) is almost always safe unless it displays obvious faults such as cracks, deep gouges, or doesn’t function smoothly. p65warnings. This article teaches you how to place stoppers and cams. Available in six On Sale Now View BOLTING+ All Gear Climbing Caving Canyoning Aid Bolting Ice and Snow Professional Brands Gear Guides Content Community Become a supporter Aug 24, 2017 · The camming device is one of the greatest pieces of climbing gear ever made, just try to imagine a world without them. The first modern camming device invented is the Wild Country Friends, which still remains hugely popular today. Instead of clipping bolts, you are looking for natural features, cracks, or constrictions to place traditional climbing equipment like nuts and cams. Here are the results. We have the most advanced and versatile line of camming devices for crack climbing. Mar 31, 2013 · For pushing into cracks in the rock face. gov CLIMBING IS DANGEROUS ORDERING INFO & RETURNS POLICY Ensuring easy handling for a solid placement you can rely on, the Camalot Z4 cam stays rigid while you're placing it yet flexes when you climb past. Jan 30, 2018 · Totem Cams are our favorite cams for aid climbing because of their ability to engage only two lobes at a time, allowing for an endless array of strange, body-weight-only placements, multiple clip-in points, and super narrow heads, even in the larger hand sizes. The term climbing protection, or simply “protection,” generally refers to any type of gear that prevents a climber from falling and being injured. 32" Ultralight Power Cams are for mid range crack sizes or for splitter cracks in desert sandstone, granite or columnar basalt. Nov 18, 2016 · The trickiest—and most important—parts of multi-pitch trad climbing are placing solid gear and building safe anchors fast. Apr 4, 2025 · Our expert team has a combined 40 years of climbing experience and has field-tested the best climbing gear since the inception of our site, with 20+ climbing cams tested over the past decade. We give you lots of tips on how NOT to use cams and a few tips on how to do it. Less expensive, lighter, and sometimes more versatile than active cams, they may well have a place on your rack. Shop now for reliable and durable gear to conquer new heights. Plus, the cam features a wide trigger for easy handling. Be sure to have the proper training and experience before attempting to trad climb, because there’s a lot more to it than just getting cams and nuts into Trad climbing can be as safe as you want it to be Despite these risks, it’s also true that trad climbing can be as safe as you want it to be. The company is based in Tideswell in the English Peak District, close to some of the UK's most popular climbing areas. If it is a Metolius product, you can send it to us for inspection. The quickdraw. The first and most important step in cam maintenance is inspection. Home Shop By Category Climbing Hardware Alien CamsAlien Cams Tested and proven by decades of climbers, the Wild Country Friend 6-cam set (#0. Original Alien Red Cam: #A106 $40. Depending where you live, it's actually pretty cheap to have metolius resling your cams for you, then youve things that will last another 8 years, keep their colour coding and slim slings and also keep some value if you decide to sell them off later. Apr 4, 2025 · Our current review features the 10 best camming devices found on climbers' racks today. Sep 29, 2023 · Due to the ease and convenience of quickly selecting, placing, and removing cams, and with their superior performance in parallel cracks, cams are the staple of the modern day crack climbing rack. Our mountain climbing equipment is relentlessly tested and built by climbers for climbers. Moved PermanentlyThe document has moved here. Place solid protection with climbing anchors and cams made for trad and alpine routes. Metolius origins story. it – new innovative climbing devices engineered for speed, safety, and high performance. The main downsides to Aliens are their Ultralight Master Cams are for general all around free climbing with small to medium crack sizes. The first piece of equipment I made was a harness. Cams are made with durable materials and do not require any excessive packing. No additional racking gear, carabiners, slings, clothing, or packing peanuts. Here’s what you need to know about trad gear and tips to build your first trad climbing rack. If you need to add some new climbing protection to your rack, check out our comprehensive climbing nuts review and climbing cam review. The strength, durability, and grip of these little climbing tools will be the difference between having a safe experience and a dangerous one. Our climbing protection is the trusted industry standard and we're always improving performance. Their newest hot item is the Ultralight Master Cam, 20% lighter than the previous iteration. Petzl is inventing products and provide solutions that allow sports enthusiasts and professionals to access some of the most inaccessible places, both day and night. They have a flexible cable stem and recessed cam spring design, and also have a narrow head design, which is optimal for shallow placements. 34 Spring-loaded camming devices are active pieces of rock climbing equipment designed for parallel or flared cracks. Find the latest clothing and bouldering essentials from top climbing brands. 75° cam angle, designed, perfected, and developed by Wild Country and tested in thousands of crack miles since 1977! One of our outdoor climbing guides explains how to identify when it's time to retire or replace your hardware, soft goods, and personal climbing gear. How to Clean Climbing Gear – The Complete Guide Your climbing gear and equipment are expensive. Their huge range and sleek design save on both weight and racking space compared to large cams. Range 0. Apr 29, 2011 · How brilliant was Ray Jardine’s design for the first commercially successful spring-loaded camming device? It was so spot-on that the 13. You should destroy retired gear to prevent any chance of future use. In this online-course Jimmy Chin shares advice for setting up a climbing shoot, how to prep, gear he carries and takes you behind the scenes in the making of Free Solo. Only send your Metolius cams for repair. Cams use a spring system that presses the jaws into the sides of the rock crack to hold their position firm. Created in the limestone capital of the universe (Spain Discover top-quality climbing cams like Black Diamond Camalot C4 and Metolius Master Cams. Does it need an introduction? GRIGRI sets the standard for belay devices. 75° constant camming angle that Jardine stipulated is still in use by several cam makers more than three decades later. This equipment is also called protection, or “pro,” because it protects you from hitting the ground in a fall. It consists of two, three, or four cams mounted on a common axle or two adjacent axles, so that pulling on the axle forces the cams to spread further apart. Equipped with an ergonomic handle, providing easy control for a smooth and comfortable descent for the climber. Get inspired gear, informed advice, 100s of brands – all backed by our Rocksolid Guarantee. Sep 6, 2013 · The Tricam is a puzzling piece: It’s delightfully simple, with no active—or moving—parts, yet it has more potential uses than either a spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) or a standard nut. Get free delivery on orders over £80. Please follow the steps below: Head over to the Dark Arts website and click on Cam Slings. Traditional climbing: use at your own risk. The Ultralight Master Cam is a flexible, single-stem unit with an optimized cam angle for increased holding power. This gives them a huge advantage over other small cams that lack thumb loops. Jun 15, 2020 · The new RigidFlex stem design also aids in these cam's efficacy while free climbing. Sep 9, 2022 · The mountain boot. Explore Fusion Climb for fall protection equipment made for zipline, climbing, and rescue industry. Aug 18, 2018 · Tricams are often an underappreciated bit of gear; if you haven’t used them, you might be missing out. In the gym or at the crag, it makes belaying easier with cam-assisted blocking. 10% lighter yet just as durable as before, the updated Black Diamond Camalot C4 cam features a modern design that improves on tried-and-true Camalots with an optimized strength-to-weight ratio. CE and UIAA certified - Made in Bend, Oregon. UK suppliers of climbing equipment and apparel Get tips on what cams, nuts and other gear to take rock climbing and how to organize it all. These camalot C4's come in Feb 25, 2015 · Cams are some of the most interesting, useful and well-engineered pieces of climbing gear made. 95 Sale Alien REVOLUTION Single Sling Cam - Red: #A605 From cams to carabiners, nuts to nut tools, there are so many options for traditional climbing gear that it’s hard to know where to begin. With advancements in technology and design, climbers now have access to more efficient and reliable gear that enhances safety and performance on the rock. Wild Country was founded in a small shop in U. Jul 17, 2017 · Inspired by the cam design in the jumar, he constructed four opposing cams based on a trigger-activated logarithmic spiral and fastened them to an axle and stem. Apr 29, 2024 · Don’t hit the wall without these tester-approved climbing tools, including belay devices, stick clips, cams, screwlocks, and more. Our current review features the 10 best camming devices found on climbers' racks today. 4, 0. But with proper transport, storage, inspection, and care, you can accomplish the maximum lifespan of your gear. Conversely, a flexible stem is preferable for a placed cam, as it reduces walking and also the likelihood that the cam will become damaged if Jan 25, 2010 · Aliens use to be hands down my favorite cam for big walls and climbs where you have tight and shallow placements. To me, this makes 10 years of experience has allowed professional climbing photographer Kieran Duncan to learn what equipment to use for staying safe and comfortable to capture the best photos he can. Jul 24, 2025 · Unlike the early days, modern trad climbers have access to gear such as spring-loaded camming devices, commonly known as cams. Learn how in this practical guide to climbing photography. Brands like Black Diamond and Wild Country offer high-quality cams for safe and secure climbs. This article explains the physics of how climbing cams work, and also how to place, remove and rack them. (This is especially true of the fabled pink tricam, which has a legendary following among a subspecies of trad climbers. Learning how to place trad gear is an essential skill as you progress as a climber. Climbing Cams Climbing cams are essential for your trad climbing rack - check out our full range of cams to create your ideal rack. . Shop rock climbing gear & equipment from Black Diamond. 65" to 4. We provide our customers with quality harnesses, carabiners, quick draws, pulley, descenders, lanyards, tactical gear and more! Discover a range of high-quality cams for your climbing needs at Camp and Climb. K. A range of 'Climbing Cams Climbing Equipment' from The Climbers Shop and Joe Browns Apr 9, 2023 · Before peeing on your partner’s cam, try the standard method: Clean it in warm, soapy water, and then lube the moving parts with WD-40, bike-chain lube, or a climbing-specific lube. Read our guide to learn more. The best climbing cam is going to be your best friend out there on your rock climbing adventure. Because of the wide range of cams and their range of function, for simplicity, we will focus on general-purpose cams, picking our choices from the large/medium and small range. This article explains all. Ultralight TCUs have an optimized cam angle for greater holding power and wider cam faces for more grip. Apr 26, 2025 · Totem Cam, the state-of-the-art cam for climbing. Find a great selection of Camming Devices for sale at GO Outdoors both instore & online. Losing half your rack to an unplanned escape is one thing, but decommissioning gear is quite another. Extraordinary holding power and unique capabilities with the patented Direct Loading system. ca. They are lightweight, the cable loop and trigger are easy to grab, and their patented slings are large enough to manipulate with gloves. Don’t forget to read and understand the instructions that come with your climbing gear. The brass ones get damaged easily if you try to jerk them out, so bring a baby hammer to tap them out with your nut tool. Apr 9, 2021 · Canada’s trad climbing season is nearly in full swing, with popular crags like the Smoke Bluffs, Back of the Lake and Val David getting spring temps. Sport climbing adds ropes, harnesses, belay devices, and quickdraws which clip into pre-drilled permanently-fixed bolts on the rock Climbing photography 101: beyond bum shots To follow in Jimmy Chin’s footsteps, you’ve got to up your game. A spring-loaded camming device (also SLCD, cam or friend) is a piece of rock climbing or mountaineering protection equipment. Making quality rock climbing gear since 1983Sign Up For Our Newsletter Get news from Metolius Climbing in your inbox. Shop now on eBay! Jul 24, 2019 · Climbing cams are some of the most important pieces of protection equipment that you need to buy if interested in rock climbing. Like other climbing devices such as belays, carabiners and quickdraws, harnesses, a climbing friend or cam is also an essential safety piece used for secure holds when climbing. Jun 23, 2024 · In conclusion, the evolution of sport climbing equipment from nuts to cams has greatly impacted the climbing industry. Their short history began in 1977 when British climber Mark Vallance founded the company Wild Country, which would go on to produce the Friend. We’re here to help you choose the best climbing cams so you can jam your way up that next crack The U-shaped body has enough stiffness to align the cams correctly in a vertical crack and enough flexibility to allow for horizontal crack placements. Ultralight Offset TCU range 0. Shop rock climbing protection from Black Diamond. Due to their moving parts, cams fall into a classification of climbing gear known as “active protection. If you have any reason to doubt the integrity of a camming unit (or any of your gear) heed your instincts and retire it. Our experts extensively field-tested the best Climbing Cams of the year and rated the best based on transparent, objective criteria. If they Trango® designs climbing gear and holds for every climber — from gym to crag — built on trust, innovation, and a shared passion for the vertical. Cams Tricams are not as reliable as cams in parallel-sided, vertical cracks, since the fulcrum needs a small dimple or constriction to 'rest' on. Shop for Climbing cams at MEC. Handmade from Petr Kouba. Modern guidebooks publish information on gear placements and the quality of rock found on listed routes, making it much easier to identify easy to protect routes. The most important thing to keep in mind is that when I started climbing in 1972, making your own gear was just another part of the game. The following tips can serve as parameters for when to A friend or cam is a safety device used for securing alpine and sport climbing routes. Finding the best climbing cam is a process, but below are a few of the highest rated cams available. A rack of cams is a set of cams in a range of sizes to fit a range of crack placements. Thanks to the indepe Apr 11, 2019 · A flexible stem makes this workhorse of a cam bomber in horizontal placements, while the ergonomic thumb loop makes them easy to place when you're pumped silly. This is a pretty gear-intensive endeavor, and some of what you carry comes down to personal choice In-store, Drop-off Cam Re-Slinging Service You can mail your cams directly to Dark Arts Splicing, or leave them with us to avoid the shipping charges. That’s six ounces of savings per complete rack. This is his top ten list. Bigwall Equipment Guide Erik Sloan’s Bigwall Gear Guide Offset Nuts Bring 1 set of regular offset nuts and 2 sets of brass micro nuts (even xtras of brass #4-6). Black Diamond's QC Lab tests the ultimate strength of climbing gear, comparing old and new equipment to ensure safety and performance. How’d they do it? They did away with the swage and cable thumb loop design that most camming devices Oct 4, 2019 · In 2015 we gave Totem Cams a glowing write-up, praising in particular their high holding power and narrow head width. ) Once you get into harder grades you'll probably be Jun 15, 2012 · Get hands-on practical advice from Academy Award winning and National Geographic photographer Jimmy Chin. 5 Location of Test: Oregon Rock Duration of Test: 1 year Product Name: Camalot C4 Product Brand: Black Diamond Best Use: Traditional Rock Climbing The Full Review: The Black Diamond Camalot C4 Climbing Cams have been the industry standard cam for quite a long time. Keep in mind that each part of your gear undergoes a rigorous and strict testing process to make sure it serves its … How to Clean Climbing Gear – The Complete Guide Read More » ATTENTION: CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 Click the following link for products that contain one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Free Shipping on orders over $50. Range 1. Range Finder tells you at a glance if you've chosen the right size cam for the placement. Rock-climbing equipment varies with the specific type of climbing that is being undertaken by the climber (s). 00 $74. Different styles of climbing use different kinds of protection devices. 5, 0. Explore Sulu Go and Angel AC on alternativecurrent. Lighter, stronger, and lower profile than large cams in comparable sizes Huge expansion range (Big Bro #5 spans larger than any standard cam) Trad climbing 101 Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about trad climbing including the skills, gear, and popular destinations. Feb 2, 2024 · In this article, we discuss the best cam sets for trad climbing, backed by reviews from the climbing experts and the consensus of the climbing community. Behold the patent-pending RigidFlex stem. Cams & Expansion Devices Also known as Friends, "Cams" are complex active protection devices that use springs, cables and cam lobes to lodge in crevices in the rock, and which enable protection of parallel sided and even slightly flared cracks, rendering safe routes that were virtually protectionless prior to their invention. Jardine constructed the first Friends, “the ultimate climbing anchor,” with Kris Walker in gear manufacturer Bill Forrest’s machine shop. Then, in the last 5-10 years there have been a lot of new cams introduced that give the Alien stiff competition: Metolius Master Cam and Black Diamond Camalot X4. The best brands of gear, clothing and shoes for rock climbing and mountaineering. The cam. At GearLab, we've tested a wide variety of climbing gear over the past decade+ and have recommendations for every climber, from beginner to expert. Totem Cam store. Inspect your cams frequently. This review focuses on two new sizes at opposite ends of the range. Jul 16, 2025 · We tested all the best climbing cams available in 2025 and, like all rock climbing gear, we found that the best piece of gear for you will Sep 5, 2016 · Black Diamond Camelot C4 Cam Sets The gold standard for camming units, Black Diamond Camalots' double-axle design allows retraction of larger cam lobes, giving them a much larger expansion range than traditional single-axle units. 5 to 11 mm Get inspired for your next climb with REI Adventures and tips from the experts, make your ascent in top-brand climbing footwear, gear, and clothing. jlqkeinqcoqphzcntzehmvxezqukhaecqbvhnzzltmuavmieqr