Exceptional holding power and versatile placements with the Totem Cam
What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:
"I trust Totems when the gear gets sketchy. They seat better in weird cracks than anything else, and the independent lobes help them hold even when the rock isn’t perfect. A must-have piece when I’m racking up for harder trad climbs."
Totem Cams are a trusted choice for climbers who demand reliable placements in the most technical terrain. Featuring an innovative direct-loading system that applies equal force to all lobes, the Totem Cam offers unbeatable holding power even in flared or irregular cracks.
The flexible stem and narrow head width allow for placements in awkward spots where other cams struggle. Whether we’re protecting thin seams, offset cracks, or marginal features, the Totem Cam gives us the confidence to keep climbing, even when the gear gets thin.
Details
- Innovative camming device designed for technical trad and alpine climbs
- Direct loading system distributes force equally across all lobes
- Exceptional holding power in flared, irregular, and shallow placements
- Narrow head width fits into small or awkward crack systems
- Flexible stem allows for stable placements in tricky positions
- Lightweight design minimizes rack weight without sacrificing strength
- Color-coded sizing for easy identification on the harness
- Handmade in Spain with precision engineering for reliability
- Item #TOC0001
- Placement Range
- [0.50] 11.7 - 18.9mm, [0.65] 13.8 - 22.5mm, [0.80] 17 - 27.7mm, [1.00] 20.9 - 34.2mm, [1.25] 25.7 - 42.3mm, [1.50] 31.6 - 52.2mm, [1.80] 39.7 - 64.2mm
- Strength
- [0.50] 6kN, [0.65] 8kN, [0.80] 9kN, [1.00] 10kN, [1.25, 1.50, 1.80] 13kN
- Cam Lobes
- 4
- Axle
- single
- Stem
- double
- Includes
- cam, colored sling (0.50 - black, 0.65 - blue, 0.80 - yellow, 1.00 - purple, 1.25 - green, 1.50 - red, 1.80 - orange)
- Claimed Weight
- [0.50] 2.4oz [0.65] 2.6oz [0.80] 2.9oz [1.00] 3.3pz [1.25] 3.8oz [1.50] 4.6oz [1.80] 5oz
- Activity
- trad climbing, aid climbing
Reviews
Q&A
What do you think about this product?
Overall Rating
4.5 based on 9 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.View
Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJuly 9, 2024
Average cams, major design flaw
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
Two-star totem review... hot take, I know. The functionality of these cams is pretty nice (though honestly not any better than a standard BD/WC cam), however the black totem has a major design flaw in that the load bearing cables that wrap around the lobes protrude significantly when the cam is retracted for placement. This causes abrasion of the load bearing cables against the rock and eventual failure of the cam via fraying cables. Googling "black totem frayed wires" yields several forum users with similar stories. Just looking at the cam while retracted, you can see how much the wires stick out compared to the larger pieces. Surprised that totem engineers did not notice and/or care about this glaring issue. Totem will not warranty this, and it is not a part of the cam they can repair. My black lasted 8 months of weekend use. Overall, not worth the hype and extra price tag unless maybe you're seriously into hard aid. After about a year of moderate use with a full rack, I won't be recommending or purchasing any more totems and will just stick with my other cams that cost less and have lasted years without issue.
May 31, 2024
A must have for any crack climber
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
I currently have a black, blue, and yellow totem in my kit. They are my go-to for finger cracks and are handy for anchors. Their engineers really created a modern marvel for trad-climbing, that makes thin stuff feel safe.
January 12, 2023
How Is this possible
- Familiarity:
- I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Going from camelots or friends to totems is like going from a flip phone to a new smartphone. You will not believe how much more versatile the totem is it seems it can be placed just about anywhere. These cams are also very light and flexible I just wish I could trade in all my other cams and get more totems. If your used to black diamond and wild country sizes it's super easy all the sizes match up except the yellow and 🍊 orange here's the deal stick a gray carabener on the yellow and rack it next to the 0.4 black diamond the orange one goes between the red and yellow black diamond it's like a 2.5 in black diamond sizes
June 4, 2022
Totem Cams are Worth It !
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
Have a pretty varied rack when it comes to cams from different companies .. and the totem cams are just easier to place with confidence ! If you're just getting into trad climbing look no further ! When you go to place other cams you just wish they were all totems !
May 2, 2022
Bomber and easy to place
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Height:
- 6' 1"
- Weight:
- 175
Have a single rack of totems, and in comparison to my C4s, I much prefer placing a totem. Easy to place, narrower head width, and just feel much more satisfied with my placements. Versatile cam, and also fits perfectly for horizontal placements
June 27, 2021
Never placed an easier Cam.
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
- Height:
- 5' 10"
- Weight:
- 185
The design of these cams is incredible. With the shape of the lobe allowing to act as an offset as well as a standard cam and replacement is perfect. My favorite cam is being DD?s Camelot there even more narrow making it easier to place in pins scars. You need nothing else but these and micro nuts. As nacho would say ?They are the best?
May 19, 2021
People get jealous
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
They're really that good. Just read literally any other review anywhere. You just feel good when you place one.
September 28, 2020
Money!
- Familiarity:
- I've put it through the wringer
These cams are the best. Why? 1. They fit where other cams don't 2. They are bomber. and i've tested that. more times than I care to admit. 3. They are perfect in the small sizes. Everyone knows about the legendary Black totem. It has legendary status for a reason. Fits where other cams don't.
June 16, 2020
Bomber Cams
- Familiarity:
- I've used it several times
Totems go in and stay where a C4 or TCU simply won?t! Because the load is distributed and equalized from the lobes individually, you can place them in really wonky ways, almost like an offset (within reason). Perfect in pin scars, almost never walk, and load over corners like nothing else. Get totems.
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