Hiplok Lite
Two simple facts have grown the Hiplok Lite into my favorite way to secure my beloved bicycle: 1) I prefer to carry my heavy things somewhere other than my back and 2) we find ourselves one and a half decades into the 21st century and somehow manufacturers of women’s clothes still maintain that pockets are a luxury feature. When I’m commuting and have luggage befitting that, sure, a u-lock can be tossed in with my banana and my lesson plans. But there are times I want to walk out the door unencumbered and ride a long sunny afternoon on the trail or climb a couple big hills or put on my dancing skirt and hit the town; in these situations, pockets and bags can be hard to come by—non-existent or too small for a lock.
The Hiplok Lite, a souped-up, body-savvy version of the old chain-around-the-waist of yore, solves the problem. It weighs in at 2.2 lbs and features a durable nylon sleeve around the chain that protects clothing and skin from pinching links, and your bike’s finish from scratching metal. The padlock is curved and ergonomic and outfitted with a belt loop through which a hefty Velcro strap slides handily, adjusting from a 25” to 44” waist size. For me, these features mean the lock is super comfortable, an accessory I slip around my hips and forget is there. A funny side-benefit is that Hiplok can act as a shirt-belt, protecting that poor little lower back area that peeks out and can send chills through your whole body. On the security side, its squared 6 mm links deter bolt cutters better than rounded chain from the hardware store and it earns a Sold Secure Bronze rating, but like any chain lock it’s important to consider your anchor, making sure not to lock to something over which someone could slip your bike and the Hiplok in one ally-oop. I’d like to see a padlock that is permanently attached to one side, making locking more swift and a touch less confusing, and more pronounced reflective features. It is worth mentioning that the Velcro strap will pill certain fabrics, so might be best not to wear with your fanciest pants. While Hiplok does not offer theft insurance, word on the street is that it’s near impossible to meet the requirements of such a payout anyhow, so unless you are a diligent documenter and lucky to boot, it’s probably not that important to choose a lock based on insurance options. It’s worth mentioning that riders in high theft locales such as San Francisco, New York, and Philadelphia may prefer the Hiplok 1.5’s heavier 8 mm links and 10 mm lock shackle. www.hiplok.com