Best Cams for Rock Climbers: Black Diamond Camalot C4 vs Wild Country Friend

If you’re an avid rock climber, then you know that having a good set of cams is essential to your success and safety while scaling a wall. Cams are devices that are placed into cracks in the rock and act as an anchor point, allowing you to attach your rope and climb up or rappel down. There are many different types and brands of cams on the market, but in this article, we’ll be focusing on two of the best: the Black Diamond Camalot C4 and the Wild Country Friend.

Both the Camalot C4 and the Friend are great cams, but there are some important differences to take into account when deciding which one is right for you. The Camalot C4 is slightly lighter weight than the Friend, making it a good choice if you’re looking to save on weight. It also has a narrower head, which can be an advantage when placing the cam in a tight crack. The Friend, on the other hand, has a larger head, which can be helpful when you need more surface area to grip the rock. The Friend is also less likely to walk (move) when placed in a horizontal crack, making it a good choice for those types of climbs.

Both cams have a similar range of sizes (from .4 to 4), but the Camalot C4 has a slightly larger range of sizes available in the middle of the range (2-3), which can be helpful if you need a cam in that size range. The Friend also has a larger trigger wire, which some climbers prefer as it’s easier to grip.

When it comes to price, the Camalot C4 is slightly more expensive than the Friend. However, both cams are very reasonably priced, especially when you consider the quality and durability of the product.

So, which cam is right for you? If you’re looking for a light-weight cam that has a narrower head, the Camalot C4 is a great choice. If you need a cam that is less likely to walk in a horizontal crack, or if you prefer a larger trigger wire, the Friend is a good option. Both cams are high quality and reasonably priced, so you really can’t go wrong with either one.