Rock Climbing Cam Range Comparisons for Trad Gear

Sander DiAngelis

10 years ago

Rather than scouring manufacturer websites to scrutinize cam ranges, we’ve simplified the process for you. For visual purposes, the general overview chart below is not consistent in scale. Greater detail can be found in the brand and model charts underneath. Note that buying links are affiliate links—purchases made from them support our free content.

If you’re new to trad climbing, also take a look at How to Build a Trad Rack. Additional related articles can be found at the end of this post.

Last update: September 16, 2019. Get our climbing newsletter for a weekly dose of awesome content and check out our deals page for today’s best sales.

Please note: to allow all data to fit, this chart is not consistent in scale; cams have been placed at approximately the center of their manufacturer’s indicated range capacities.

Black Diamond Camalot C4 and Camalot Ultralight ranges

Black Diamond’s new Ultralight cams share the same range capacity as their C4s.

13.8-23.4 mm; 0.54-0.92 in (size .3)
15.5-26.7 mm; 0.61-1.05 in (size .4)
19.6-33.5 mm; 0.77-1.32 in (size .5)
23.9-41.2 mm; 0.94-1.62 in (size .75)
30.2-52.1 mm; 1.19-2.05 in (size 1)
37.2-64.9 mm; 1.46-2.55 in (size 2)
50.7-87.9 mm; 2.00-3.46 in (size 3)
66-114.7 mm; 2.60-4.51 in (size 4)
85.4-148.5 mm; 3.36-5.85 in (size 5
114.1-195 mm; 4.50-7.68 in (size 6)

View Lowest Prices: Black Diamond Camalot C4s

View Lowest Prices: Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight

If buying a full set of cams, some of the steepest discounts are on packages through Bentgate, seen here.

Wild Country Helium Friend ranges

14-22.5 mm; 0.55-0.89 in (size 0)
16.6-26.7 mm; 0.65-1.05 in (size .5)
19.7-31.7 mm; 0.78-1.25 in (size 1)
23.6-38 mm; 0.93-1.50 in (size 1.5)
28.4-45.7 mm; 1.12-1.80 in (size 2)
34.4-55.4 mm; 1.35-2.18 in (size 2.5)
41.9-67.5 mm; 1.65-2.66 in (size 3)
51.3-82.7 mm; 2.02-3.25 in (size 3.5)
63.3-101.8 mm; 2.49-4.01 in (size 4)
84-138 mm; 3.31-5.43 in (size 5)
118-194 mm; 4.64-7.64 in (size 6)

View Lowest Prices: Wild Country Friends

DMM Dragon Cam ranges

13.6-22.5 mm; 0.54-0.89 in (size 00)
16-26.7 mm; 0.63-1.05 in (size 0)
20-33 mm; 0.79-1.30 in (size 1)
24-41 mm; 0.94-1.61 in (size 2)
29-50 mm; 1.14-1.97 in (size 3)
38-64 mm; 1.50-2.52 in (size 4)
50-85 mm; 1.97-3.35 in (size 5)
68-114 mm; 2.68-4.49 in (size 6)

View Lowest Prices: DMM Dragons

Trango Flex Cam ranges

12-18 mm; 0.47-0.71 in (size 1)
16-22 mm; 0.62-0.87 in (size 2)
20-28 mm; 0.79-1.10 in (size 3)
24-35 mm; 0.94-1.38 in (size 4)
27-44 mm; 1.06-1.73 in (size 5)
33-55 mm; 1.30-2.17 in (size 6)
42-69 mm; 1.65-2.72 in (size 7)
52-86 mm; 2.05-3.39 in (size 8)
63-108 mm; 2.48-4.25 in (size 9)

View Lowest Prices: Trango Flex Cams

Omega Pacific Link Cam ranges

13.5-35 mm; 0.53-1.38 in (size .5)
17.8-44.5 mm; 0.70 – 1.75 in (size .75)
21.1 – 53.3 mm; 0.83 – 2.10 in (size 1)
25.4-64 mm; 0.96 – 2.51 in (size 2)

View Lowest Prices: Omega Pacific Link Cams

Metolius Master Cam (UL) ranges

8.5-12 mm; 0.34-0.47 in (size 00)
10-15 mm; 0.39-0.59 in (size 0)
12.5-18 mm; 0.49-0.71 in (size 1)
15.5-22.5 mm; 0.62-0.89 in (size 2)
18.5-26.5 mm; 0.74-1.04 in (size 3)
23.5-33.5 mm; 0.93-1.32 in (size 4)
28.1-39.1 mm; 1.11-1.54 in (size 5)
33.2-46.9 mm; 1.31-1.85 in (size 6)
40.3-57.4 mm; 1.59-2.26 in (size 7)
49-71.1 mm; 1.93-2.80 in (size 8)

See a review of the Metolius Master Cams, updated in 2016 as ultralight cams.

View Lowest Prices: Metolius Master Cams

Black Diamond Camalot X4 ranges

8.4-13.8 mm; 0.33-0.54 in (size .1)
9.9-16.5 mm; 0.39-0.65 in (size .2)
12.4-21.2 mm; 0.49-0.83 in (size .3)
15.5-26.6 mm; 0.61-1.05 in (size .4)
19.8-33.7 mm; 0.78-1.33 in (size .5)
24-41.2 mm; 0.94-1.62 in (size .75

View Lowest Prices: Black Diamond Camalot X4s

Fixe CCH Alien ranges

8-14 mm; 0.33-0.55 in (size 1/3)
10-17 mm; 0.39-0.67 in (size 3/8)
13-22 mm; 0.53-0.86 in (size 1/2)
15-25 mm; 0.61-1.00 in (size 3/4)
17-30 mm; 0.68-1.20 in (size 7/8)
20-33 mm; 0.78-1.30 in (size 1)

View Lowest Prices: Fixe Alien Cams

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