New X-Dream - rumor and innuendo

A new X-Dream, specifically with a revised handle, has been hinted at for years. A few months ago, some pics of what looked like a production version appeared on Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/iceclimbing/s/Dn3uKxCSRg

And, in another thread on this forum, this video was linked (Xdream starts at 1:30):

https://youtu.be/tFdr55IIxC0?si=OKtKTSSreVHNNHhDS

Since my Italian is non-existent, please add any translation info, new sightings, or release date info here. Seems like lots of modularity will be added to this already modular tool. And/or for all the X-Dream handle haters out there, this could be one of your last times to rant. 

ran into an Italian sponsored athlete climbing with these in vail a couple weeks ago. Not sure if he had the final version, but main takeaways were

- new color scheme
-100g lighter w/out weights

-Handle is a bit slimmer 

-Tubing halfway up shaft to eliminate need to tape second/third position

There are probably a few other subtle changes but we only had a very short chat. Compared it side by side with a Hydra, shafts similar but not identical, the pick angle on the Hydra was steeper than on the X Dream.

Guy did some crazy shit with them.

The handle looks slightly different but not a ton... Hard to say if they still can be switched from "ice" to "dry" modes. (Does anyone even do that, anyway?) CAMP probably got sick of people complaining about wobble at that attachment point and replacing all the stripped out screws ... 

They do switch and the mechanism is the same. Bolt is now covered by a rubber sleeve so you won't accidentally drop the nut. I agree the handle angle switch is a completely unnecessary feature. 

Interesting, it looks like in the video there are two different types of handles... One is similar to the picture above, and the current tool; the other is "total dry" (the only words I could understand) and is longer, narrower and less featured.. 

The most important question for me is if the picks from the first gen will be compatible with the new tool, I have a small fortune in X-Dream picks. Anyone know?

I think the handle switch feature is sweet. I have never swapped in the alpine spiked handle I purchased years ago for whatever reason, but I do switch from ice to dry positions, and I am interested in that new longer comp handle. 

I know we all love to obsess about Gamma vs rubberized electrical tape vs inner tubes, but a manufacturer providing a stock rubber sleeve up most of the shaft seems like another welcome upgrade.

As far as I can tell from the ones I have seen in person, this is mostly an aesthetics change plus releasing a new comp pick and handle. Current picks aren’t changing as far as I’m aware. And ain’t no way these are 100g lighter…

Jedrzej Jablonski wrote:

They do switch and the mechanism is the same. Bolt is now covered by a rubber sleeve so you won't accidentally drop the nut. I agree the handle angle switch is a completely unnecessary feature. 

Switch mechanism position is pictured.

A friend visited the Camp headquarters in Golden to pick up some demo gear and got to see them in person today. Sworn not to share photos. They are set to come out in September 2025. He also confirmed that the dry handle would be backwards compatible. 

Camp told me the pommels on the current gen handles are susceptible to breaking (which mine did/are) and they have developed a new handle releasing "next year". Maybe they forgot it was mid January already? I'm supposing that means there are durability improvements in the new standard handle.

One is similar to the picture above, and the current tool; the other is "total dry"

If it's the same handle they give to their competition climbers then imo it's very bad for that purpose. Tyler K is making and selling a much much better version of a comp handle for xdreams. 

I talked with the Camp rep at mountain fest about these and he showed me the pair he had been using.  all the changes and updates are backwards compatible with the current/previous gen.  the picks are staying the same.  looks like great improvements on an already fantastic tool

That's fucking rad. I think these are by far the best tool out there and excited to see the new version. 

mike d wrote:

Camp told me the pommels on the current gen handles are susceptible to breaking (which mine did/are) and they have developed a new handle releasing "next year". Maybe they forgot it was mid January already? I'm supposing that means there are durability improvements in the new standard handle.

For the outdoor industry, next year often means next season as well, so might be fall 2025 as well. 

Jedrzej Jablonski wrote:

If it's the same handle they give to their competition climbers then imo it's very bad for that purpose. Tyler K is making and selling a much much better version of a comp handle for xdreams. 

Why do you say that “it’s very bad for that purpose”?

They seem to lack functionality that competition tools have (like accommodating both hands on the first position handle, ability to match on the handle in reversed grip, or using split grip where the index finger goes on top of the handle for gastons) and on top of this second pommel is extremely uncomfortable to the point it was a challenge for me to hang off of it in reversed grip for one minute.

Tyler's handles are still shorter than ideal, because the geometry of the shaft doesn't allow for a longer handle, but they have none of the other issues. 

The new dry handle seems like it might be too long to be used in competition? Not that it affects me, but what’s the point if it can’t be used by their athletes? 

Matt Gravier wrote:

The new dry handle seems like it might be too long to be used in competition? Not that it affects me, but what’s the point if it can’t be used by their athletes? 

It’s not too long using their new comp pick. It is too long using PX7s/any other Kruk pick (idk about Howey picks). So if you have the new handle you either use the new CAMP picks or modify your picks to work (people do both).

For what it’s worth Tyler’s handle works with Kruk picks if you don’t have cheeks.

For those that want to see the different comp handles in action, it appears as if there was a competitor using the new CAMP comp handles at the 1:49:00 mark, and another competitor was using Tyler’s handles at the 1:38:00 mark.

These changes will resolve the current issue with X-Dreams, which is that they only appear in whipper media videos.

Have used these every day for two weeks now.  Everything from WI3-6+, mixed up to M9, and aiding on them while developing.  Full disclosure, our company has great relationship with CAMP and I've been a Dreamer for many years.  But these are my honest thoughts as someone who really didn't want them to mess with the tool too much:

- Most important upgrades IMHO are the heavier duty bolt components, better protection of the back of the head with the new hammer design (needless to say I'm very hard on tools), and better adjustability for different hands with the handle spacer.  Also seemingly less shift moving from first to second position while dry tooling.  Also nice that they come stock with pick weights, the Omni picks (previously Mixte picks, which people didn't use as much because they didn't know the Mixte climbed ice better than the ice picks), and a detachable spike - saves money and hassle vs. having to buy these components separately.  

- Haven't used new armored picks or comp handle - still hard to come by in North America.

- Stock wrap seems fine - maybe a bit thick for my taste but easy to take off.

- It took 2 times out for me to adjust to the new handle.  I personally love the fat bottom of the OG handle for hooking my hands around while resting on steep ice and I had to change my hooking position ever so slightly with the new handle.  But everyone I've let use them has said they prefer this handle.  Still way more ergonomic than the Nomic and Hydra IMHO.  Watching clients swing them, I think the new handle design also facilitates a wider array of swing styles.  Both in terms of how different people swing and how one person's swing (d)evolves while on route as they get tired.

- Only annoyance so far is when you have the pick weights and hammers on (stock), with the new head design you have to take the pick weights off while swapping out the picks.  And the small bolts and nuts are very hard to find in the snow.

Ultimately I only recommend equipment if it survives and thrives over a long period of abuse.  As some know, Cody is where climbing equipment goes to die and I will continue to be very hard on these and offer updates if anyone's interested.  But my initial impression is that if you like the dreams, these are a great update in terms of durability, modularity, adjustability, and swing without sacrificing what has made these tools perform at such a high level.