Best totem cam size?

Definitely black, blue, and yellow

Cyan or Chartreuse.

For one. Buy blue.

For two get yellow.

Third purple or black.

Then the remaining one and green.

Done bother with the large red or orange unless you have the $$$$. 

Max Supertrampwrote: you can thank me later 64 bucks for totems

This reminded me how totems used to be affordable and not super sought after ;-;, I should have bought a double rack of them years ago so many regrets.

Red, honestly. Big range, bomber. Black was more valuable back when it didn't have competitors, I'm not saying the z4s are as good, but the yellow does protect the same size

If you're not ready to sell a kidney to get a double rack of totem with a dozen extra blacks thrown in there, you should stick to bouldering. You're just not trying hard enough.

Nathanwrote:

Red, honestly. Big range, bomber. Black was more valuable back when it didn't have competitors, I'm not saying the z4s are as good, but the yellow does protect the same size

To me, the main thing about the black isn't the range. It's a tiny bit shifted to the small side compared to the closest alien (alien fix I should say), or a tad bigger than the yellow. But the head is narrower than other cams. And, most importantly, my experience is that it is much more stable than the others once in place. This is hard to quantify, but especially for smaller finicky placements, this is well worth the few extra 10$.

Franck Veewrote:

To me, the main thing about the black isn't the range. It's a tiny bit shifted to the small side compared to the closest alien (alien fix I should say), or a tad bigger than the yellow. But the head is narrower than other cams. And, most importantly, my experience is that it is much more stable than the others once in place. This is hard to quantify, but especially for smaller finicky placements, this is well worth the few extra 10$.

That and that the whole totem works great in slick wrong is no joke, I have put my wildcountry micro cams into one crack and my friend put his black totem into the same, the totem moved a little under seating but the wildcountry ripped straight out, this was just a sharp and firm tug. They really are the safer cam.

Yellow. But I suppose it depends on where you climb. As others have mentioned, the yellow Totem is very nearly identical in range to a yellow Alien. And it's pretty unusual to lead a pitch of Sierra granite where you can't find a placement for a yellow Alien.

runoutwrote: What's the best totem cam size if you can only get one of them?

Yes

that guy named sebwrote:

That and that the whole totem works great in slick wrong is no joke, I have put my wildcountry micro cams into one crack and my friend put his black totem into the same, the totem moved a little under seating but the wildcountry ripped straight out, this was just a sharp and firm tug. They really are the safer cam.

Old thread. But I'm surprised the black totem followers haven't made more of a ruckus here. I've met many with a near religious faith in that piece.

Case in point,

And with good reason I must add! Blessed be

Fwiw, new trad climber here. Have lots of gear and have been to east & west coast spots : ordering a couple more black totems ;)