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 is the realization of a dream: to have a single-stem cam that stays rigid in-hand, but flexes once placed.
Behold—the patent-pending RigidFlex stem. Thanks to the independently floating trigger wires the Camalot Z4 doesn’t bend while under tension and retracted, but once placed allows the stem to move, ensuring a placement that stays put and doesn’t walk when pulled directionally. The stem on the larger sizes also utilizes dual twisted cable construction which provides uniform flex in all directions, while single cable construction is implemented on smaller sizes to avoid buckling when pulling hard on the trigger and to reduce trigger profile. Featuring a similar head-width as our old Camalot C3 design, but with 4 lobes that are sandblasted for better holding power, the Z4’s are not only an upgrade, but are also available is smaller sizes—starting from #0, our smallest cam ever made, and ranging to .75, allowing you to dial in the rack, whether you’re gunning for a tips crack in the desert, or going light and fast in the Bugs.
Features:
- RigidFlex stem stays rigid in-hand for easy placement, but flexes once placed to reduce walking
- Dual twisted cable construction for uniform flex on larger sizes; single cable construction on smaller sizes to avoid buckling and reduce trigger profile
- Narrow head width for tight placements
- Sandblasted lobes for better holding power
- Lightweight yet durable Dynex sling with a unique color scheme for easy identification from other Camalots
Buyers Guide - How to choose Choose a Traditional Climbing RackExcited to be buying the first bits of lead gear to build your trad rack? So are we!
Our climbing gear walls have been described as some of the best in Europe (by our International Reps who know a thing or two) and as boulderers, sport climbers, trad climbers and mountaineers ourselves we LOVE to talk about gear. Both the Joe Brown shops, and The Climbers Shop have been supplying climbers and expeditions since 1966 and 1959 respectively, we were founded by climbers and the only thing we love more than talking about gear is actually going climbing ourselves. We don’t just learn about what’s the best kit to use – we know what’s the best kit to use……..
- What is the first piece of protection I should buy?- What length Quickdraws are best?- Why are there so many different lengths slings?- How do I choose which karabiners to add?- Can I lead if I don’t own any cams?- Do I really need to carry Prusik Loops?- How do I know when my gear has worn out?
Top tips to make the right choice:Go shopping with your mate and/or someone more experienced so you buy the right thing for the routes you climb and, more importantly, gear that compliments each other’s racks.
Tag your gear so that you know who’s is who. We sell purpose made tags or you could use your own personal design of insulation tape.
Buy a length of rope off the reel and practice your knots so they become second nature. Tying a clove hitch one handed without bending your fingers looks REALLY cool!
Regularly tie yourself to a stair banister so you can prefect your belaying skills and be super slick out on the crag. It saves time and means you can enjoy the route and make it back to the pub to revel in your success.
Join a club – it’s the cheapest way to learn and you’ll have an instant pool of climbing partners or hire an Instructor or Guide to learn loads of great tips and techniques.