The solidity of Ultralight Master Cam placements may be tough to quantify, but it is no mere accident. The Range Finder dots and shark fin grooves are prominent features of the Master Cams. The cams quite literally feel like they bite into the rock. Metolius has abandoned the use of these grooves and instead has created a “shark fin” pattern, specifically designed to help the cams hold in soft rock. Grooves milled into cam lobes have often been considered more a product of marketing than functionality.

When first switching to the Ultralight Master Cams, this system makes finding the proper size a breeze, and when you hand your rack to a partner who is unfamiliar with the cams, he or she will surely be thankful for the feature. The unique Range Finder system uses colored dots to instantly show you whether the piece is properly cammed. Clipping these cams inspires confidence, and this is no accident Metolius has designed these cams to be a perfect placement every time they leave your harness.

When I climbed with a mix of the Ultralight Master Cams and Camalots, I consistently found myself reaching for the Ultralight Master Cams first, and Camalots second. To put it simply, these cams feel good to place. While similar in function to the X4s, the Ultralight Master Cams take up less room on the harness and are dramatically lighter.

Ultralight mastercam