Reviews You Can Rely On

Black Diamond Camalot X4 Offset Review

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black diamond camalot x4 offset climbing cam review
Offset X4
Credit: Black Diamond
Price:  $95 List
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Manufacturer:   Black Diamond
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief  ⋅  Oct 21, 2014

Our Verdict

This is the offset version of the Black Diamond Camalot X4, which is our top-rated tiny cam. It's just as good overall as the regular X4 but works much better in pin scars and certain weird placements. Why? Skinny heads. They snake their way into all sorts of weird placements. They also just stick to everything - Spiderman sticky. Chris McNamara has yet to pull one in just about any weird El Cap aid climbing placement. And he's tried. They were key to an almost clean speed record on Squeeze Play.
REASONS TO BUY
Narrow head gets in tricky placements other cams can't
Great holding power
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Heavier than most other cams
Can get easily bent

They are ideal for Yosemite and Zion aid climbs, but a set is also nice for any area with weird pods. Which is just about everywhere except Indian Creek. On a typical wall like The Nose, Zodiac or Lurking gear, we recommend 2-3 sets of regular X4's and 1-2 sets of offset X4's.

Only downsides are they are a little heavy, expensive, and easily bent. But those are all part of them being just so skinny and sweet.

The Black Diamond Camalot X4 is a similar version, but are not offset - this cam wins our Editors' Choice Award, as do the Black Diamond Camalot, one of the most popular cams on the planet.

Our Analysis and Test Results


Chris McNamara