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CAMP Neve Review

If you are new to the sport or on a tight budget, this is adependable model that offers solid all-around performance for the price
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camp neve ice axe review
CAMP Neve
Credit: CAMP USA
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   Camp
By Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 19, 2019
64
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 17
  • Self-Arresting - 15% 8.0
  • Digging & Step Chopping - 15% 7.0
  • Use as Improvised Anchor - 15% 7.0
  • Steep Ice & Snow - 25% 5.0
  • Comfort to Carry - 5% 6.0
  • Weight - 25% 6.0
RELATED: Best Ice Axes

Our Verdict

The CAMP Neve is a solid general mountaineering ice axe for a great price. It comes with a built-in (and removable) leash and offers a competitive price. It won't knock your socks off, but does provide respectable all-around performance and is ideal for simple to moderate glacier routes or basic snow climbs. It's perfect for those breaking into the sport or who may be on a tight budget but still want a solid, dependable ice axe.
REASONS TO BUY
Great price
Self-arrests very smoothly
Adze is above-average for digging snow anchors or choping tent platforms well
REASONS TO AVOID
Less comfortable to carry than other models
Particularly in self-arrest positions; slightly heavier than average

Compare to Similar Products

 
camp neve ice axe review
This Product
CAMP Neve
Awards   Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $74.96 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$109.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$100 List$110 List
$109.95 at REI
$99.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
64
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54
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A solid general purpose mountaineering axe at a very good priceA solid all-around mountaineering axe that wont break the bankNearly half the weight of many of its all-mountain counterparts, it has a steel pick and proved surprisingly versatileA surprisingly versatile axe considering its impressively low weightA solid general mountaineering axe for a great price
Rating Categories CAMP Neve Petzl Glacier Petzl Ride Petzl Glacier Literide Black Diamond Raven
Self-Arresting (15%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Digging & Step Chopping (15%)
7.0
7.0
4.0
7.0
7.0
Use as Improvised Anchor (15%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Steep Ice & Snow (25%)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
3.0
Comfort to Carry (5%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
10.0
Weight (25%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Specs CAMP Neve Petzl Glacier Petzl Ride Petzl Glacier Literide Black Diamond Raven
Measured Weight 15 oz/425 g 12.3 oz/350 g 8.4 oz/240 g 11.2 oz/320 g 16 oz/437 g
Category General General Ultralight Ultralight General
Rating CEN-B CEN-B CEN-B CEN-B CEN-B
Pick Shape, Material, and Construction Forged chromoly steel pick, classic positive curve Forged steel, classic positve curve Tempered steel, classic positive curve Forged steel, classic positve curve Laser cut, stainless steel, classic positive
Lengths Available 50, 57, 65, 73, 80 cm 60, 68, 75 cm 45 cm 50 cm 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 90 cm
Included Pommel or Leash? Slider leash Yes No No No
Hammer Option No No No No No
Shaft Design Straight Straight Bent Straight Straight

Our Analysis and Test Results

The CAMP Neve is a well priced, general mountaineering axe that will serve most climbers attempting simple glacier routes and moderate snow climbs. A strong contender for our Best Buy Award, this model only barely missed the award, as the Neve can be purchased for an impressive price. Despite missing out on our award, it features several advantages over many of the more costly models we tested.

Performance Comparison


Smooth self-arresting, respectable performance in low and mid-dagger positions, and a solidly performing adze make this a great ice axe for general mountaineering and snow climbing. If you climb steep snow and ice, you may want to upgrade to a slightly different model. While the Neve doesn't offer poor performance in these arenas, it just doesn't offer the performance of some of the higher-performing models. However, for almost any mountaineering application, this is an excellent all-around ice axe.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Self-Arresting


The Neve is designed with general mountaineering and self -arresting in mind. The continuous drop of this model's positive curve pick helped it to self-arrest smoothly and effectively, earning it above average marks.

Digging & Step Chopping


The Neve's head is nicely weighted; coupled with its aggressively shaped adze, it chops steps in even the hardest of ice. It is the best performing adze in the general mountaineering category for steps and digging anchors but is a little too downturned for truly exceptional step chopping. For breaking up firm surfaces, it offers up excellent performance.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

While the heavily curved adze doesn't perform incredibly well at chopping steps, it digs T-trenches for snow pickets or other improvised snow anchors extremely well. It also breaks up ice surfaces nicely; two trade-offs we'd easily take over good step chopping, a technique we rarely, if ever, use.

Use As Improvised Anchor


The Neve has a CEN-B rating, meaning it is suitable for use as an improvised anchor for crevasse rescue or for belaying off of while ascending steep snow (but not vertical terrain). We generally liked models with bent shafts better than straight-shafted options for self-arresting and ascending steeper terrain. However, straight-shafted designs are easier and require less digging when using as a deadman in a t-slot and are easier to drive in vertically for backing up a previously buried snow pick either in front of the snow picket (saxon cross anchor) or behind equalized with a cordelette.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Steep Ice and Snow


The Neve's head is a single piece of forged chromoly steel; similar to all other models in its price range; it is not hot-forged. The Neve's pick is slightly more aggressive than typical for a general mountain axe, allowing it to penetrate firmer snow and ice well.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Comfort to Carry


The Neve is pleasant to carry in the self-belay/piolet canne (pick forward) position. Its adze is nicely articulated to fit in the palm of your hand but is one of the least comfortable to carry in self-arrest/pick backward position. This is both because of the sharp teeth on the pick that continue down and the aggressive downward dropped pick (which offers other advantages but is just not comfortable in the pick-forward position). Comfort to carry is one of the main reasons this axe only barely missed out on our Best Buy Award, as the Black Diamond performed very similarly overall, but was far more comfortable to hold.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Weight


The Neve weighs in at 15 ounces which is the same weight as its closest competition, the Black Diamond Raven. The Neve is average in weight when directly compared to general mountain axes in its price range. For little more in cost, you may want to consider the similar Petzl Glacier, which is only 12.3 ounces.

Value


The Neve is among the best-priced models in our review, with only the Black Diamond Raven offering the same price point. The Neve climbs steep snow and penetrates firm conditions slightly better, but the Raven is far more comfortable to carry, particularly in a self-arrest position.

camp neve ice axe review
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Conclusion


The Neve is a solid ice axe that was very nearly our Best Buy Award winner. It lost to the Black Diamond Raven, which is identical in price and was more comfortable to carry but didn't perform quite as well on steeper snow in firmer conditions. While you can buy a nicer axe, the Neve will provide more than enough performance for basic glacier climbs or more moderate snow routes.

Ian Nicholson