[Peak Packer]

Hey fellow climbers! As someone who’s spent way too many weekends dangling on the side of a rock face, I’ve come to appreciate the art and science of gear selection, particularly when it comes to climbing cams. It’s like picking your best buddies for a climbing trip—you want reliability, versatility, and a bit of personality (because a little flair never hurt, right?). Today, I’m excited to share my personal favorites in the world of climbing cams.

I’ll be giving you three mini reviews of my top picks, plus a handy little buyer’s guide at the end to help you navigate the vast sea of options out there. Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up your gear game, I’ve got you covered. So, without further ado, here are my top three climbing cams that have stood by my side (figuratively, of course):

• Black Diamond Camalot C4
• Wild Country Friend
• DMM Dragon Cams

[Peak Packer]

Black Diamond Camalot C4

Alright, fellow vertical adventurers, buckle up because I’m about to regale you with my epic tale of the Black Diamond Camalot C4—a piece of gear so trustworthy, you’d let it watch your dog while you’re out of town!

So, there I was, clinging to the side of a cliff like a clueless gecko. My climbing partner is above me, cheerfully rambling on about something-or-other, probably goats. Meanwhile, my fingers were sweating like I was trying to squeeze water out of a rock. Enter the Black Diamond Camalot C4—my knight in shining cam armor!

• Ease of Use: These cams are smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. The thumb loop and wide trigger make it a breeze to place—even with my trembling, mismatched gloves on cold days.
• Weight: Sure, I joke about my pack feeling like it’s stuffed with bowling balls, but the Camalot C4 strikes a sweet balance between weight and functionality. I didn’t feel like I was dragging a ball and chain up the wall.
• Durability: I’ve taken my fair share of whippers, and these babies have held strong—no wimpy, fragile gear here. Once, I dropped one onto rocky terrain. Besides a couple of scratches, it was solid as a rock. Sometimes, I think they’re made out of adamantium.
• Range: With its double-axle design, the range on these cams is like the buffet at an all-you-can-eat restaurant—practically limitless!

Easily saved my behind more than once and scored me some style points whenever I whipped them out from my gear loop pretending to know what I’m doing. Plus, being lightweight, they ensure that my pack only strains my back slightly more than my mother’s enthusiastic hugs.

All in all, the Black Diamond Camalot C4 has become my caped crusader on the crags. Whether it’s patching up my nerves on sketchy terrain or simply impressing sporting enthusiasts, this cam makes me look like I actually know what I’m doing out there. I’d climb a mountain to sing their praises, but luckily, I have these to make my ascent just a tad bit easier.

Click here if you want to check them out right from the horse’s mouth. Happy climbing, and remember: always trust your gear, but don’t forget to trust yourself.

[Peak Packer]

Wild Country Friend

So there I was, dangling precariously on a sheer rock face, contemplating the bigger questions in life like, “How many more snacks can I fit in my climbing pack?” when it hit me—this would be the perfect time to test my new Wild Country Friend. Yep, I’m talking about that trusty little cam that separates the adventurous from the downright wild.

Let me set the scene: picture a climber who, despite having the grace of a caffeinated mountain goat, needs all the help he can get sticking to vertical surfaces. Enter the Wild Country Friend. I’ll break down my experiences with it below, but spoiler alert—I think this thing needs honorary family member status.

The first time you clip a Friend to your harness, prepare for a wave of confidence, almost like you’ve just installed the rock climbing version of a turbo boost.

• Super Slick Design: The Friend is like a Swiss Army knife of cams—versatile and reliable. The dual axle design gave me more range per strength level, which is climbing lingo for “hallelujah, it’s going to fit this weird crack!”
• Comfy Handling: With a comfortable grip, it feels like you’re deploying a superhero’s grappling hook, minus the whole saving-the-world bit. The color-coded slings are a cool touch too—finally, my disorganized rack has some swanky curb appeal.
• Durability: Let’s just say I did a “thorough” quality test (a.k.a. accidentally dropped it 40 feet), and it came out like a champ, still ready to hold my weight and my dreams of summit glory.
• Not-so-sunny bits: Okay, real talk—these puppies aren’t exactly bargain bin specials, so prepare your wallet for that. But consider it a solid investment, kind of like buying stocks in your own adrenaline-fueled happiness.

In the spirit of a true climbing enthusiast, I’d recommend the Wild Country Friend to anyone who loves a trusty companion while taming the mountainous wild. Trust me, it’s like having an extra friend, except this one won’t hog all your snacks at the belay station.

[Peak Packer]

DMM Dragon Cams

So, I recently had the pleasure (and yes, it was quite the thrill) of testing out the DMM Dragon Cams, and I thought I’d share my experience with fellow rock huggers and adrenaline junkies. If you’re like me, you appreciate good gear that doesn’t require a second mortgage, so here’s my two cents—or should I say, “chalk dust”?

First impressions: those Dragon Cams look like a set of colorful, high-tech lollipops made for giants. Their anodized color-coding is not just easy on the eyes; it’s extremely handy when you’re trying to jam them into cracks while your forearms are burning more intensely than your morning espresso.

Build & Design: These cams are solid, but that comes with the territory for anything made by DMM. The integration of their unique dual axel lobes gives you a sense of security that’s almost parental. The raw power you feel when placing these cams is like holding a fire extinguisher against a grease fire—immediate and comforting.

• Weight: Light enough that I didn’t curse their existence on the hike up.
• Ergonomics: The extendable sling—what wizardry is this? No need for extra quickdraws, and it saved me from a few Houdini-style placements.
• Durability: These babies took a few knocks, held my falls, and lived to tell the tale. Solid 10/10.

Funny story: On my first outing with the Dragons, I had one placed in the perfect finger crack just as a cute, little mountain goat decided to make me his new best friend. I learned a few new regional dialects of “goat” that day, and the Dragons didn’t budge an inch—even when I did my best impression of a human windmill.

For the technical specs lovers, they come in sizes that fit pretty much anything from a tips crack to a yawning maw of doom—size #1 to #6. Check out the full specs here if numbers are your thing.

In conclusion, whether you’re a sandstone cowboy or a granite guardian, DMM Dragon Cams should be your trusty steed. They’ve earned a permanent spot on my rack—and, dare I say, in my climbing heart. Now, off to conquer more crags… just hope the goats stay away this time!

[Peak Packer]

Best Climbing Cams Buyer’s Guide

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of climbing cams—those little pieces of gear that can either make you feel bulletproof or leave you questioning your life choices 200 feet off the deck. No pressure, right? Fear not, fellow climbers! I’ve done the legwork (and a bit of airtime) to help guide you through this crucial purchase. Here are some of the best climbing cams on the market, with a sprinkling of advice from yours truly.

The Basics:

Before we dive into specific brands and models, let’s cover the essentials on why you even need these in your trad rack. Cams are your lifelines, your trusted buddies that hold when everything else in life feels like it’s slipping. They fit into various cracks to anchor you safely. Grab a mix of sizes to cover more scenarios than a Swiss Army knife.

Brand Breakdown:

• Black Diamond Camalots: Often hailed as the gold standard in cams. These beauties have dual axles for an extended range, which means you’ll be less likely to curse your gear selection mid-pitch. Trust me, in a critical moment, you’ll want gear that works as advertised. Click here to check them out.
• Wild Country Friends: The original camming device, Wild Country’s Friends are as iconic as your favorite rock anthem. They’ve recently combined single axle benefits with lighter weight. I once used these babies during a gnarly sandstone climb, and I still swear they calmed my nerves. Have a peek at them here.
• DMM Dragon Cams: Hailing from the land of rock itself—Wales—these are like the dragon heroes of the camming world. They’ve got triple-grip lobes, which mean more friction and less sweat on multi-pitches. Plus, their color-coded sizes mean you can think less and climb more. Take a look here.
• Metolius Ultralight Master Cams: For those looking to shave ounces, you might want to give these a try. They’re light enough to forget you’re even carrying them. During a long alpine day, these masters didn’t weigh me down, and I almost cried tears of joy. Check them out here.

Personal Pro Tips:

• Practice Placement: No matter which brand you choose, learning how to place them correctly is invaluable. Practice at ground level—or in a safe setting—until you feel like a cam master.
• Test Different Brands: Like dating, you gotta try a few before finding the right fit. Borrow different cams from friends or do a demo at your local climbing gym.
• Mix ‘n’ Match: Don’t commit to only one brand across all sizes. Sometimes a Frankenstein rack works best, combining the strengths of various types.

In conclusion, the best climbing cam is the one that combines safety, confidence, and a smidgen of adventure. Equip yourself wisely, and remember: if you keep the rubber side up and the rock side down, you’re doing just fine. Happy climbing!

[Summit Soul]

Ah, climbing cams—our trusty partners in adventure sports! When it comes to picking the right gear, it’s like forming a rock-solid team, literally 😉. If you’re looking to have the best possible crew hanging off your harness, here’s a quick insight on why a mix of gizmos can make you feel as prepared as an Eagle Scout with a Swiss Army knife (except your “scouts” are camming devices).

• 🎨 Color Coordination: Those handy color-coded sizes aren’t just for show; they can actually be a lifesaver when you’re trying to find the right fit in that panic-inducing moment—especially if you’re mid-route with sweaty palms and a fleeting sense of zen.
• 🦾 Heft and Flex: If durability and flexibility were a couple, they’d be the Ross and Rachel of climbing cams. Take the Camalot C4 for example – an iconic choice with its robust build and an impressive range that’ll grip rocks like they owe it lunch money.
• 🔧 Tech Specs and Tinkering: If you’re the type who adores delving into specs, DMM Dragon Cams might just tickle your fancy. They’re engineered with that quintessential Welsh finesse—perfect for testing your inner MacGyver tendencies while out on the crag.
• 🥳 Personality Plus: When the going gets tough, some cheeky little additions like the dual axle design of Wild Country Friends can make the difference between turning up the adrenaline or dialing down the fear factor. Bonus—they add a dash of swagger to your rack.

Pro tip: Your gear can tell a story about who you are as a climber. Throw in a medley of cams that resonate with your climbing mojo—and trust me, you’ll have tales of gnarly climbs and sticky holds to share around the campfire in no time 🤘. Happy adventures, and may your leaps of faith always land securely!

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