Wearable locks are designed to eliminate the need for a pannier or backpack, so whether you're commuting or popping to a local watering hole, you can travel without the additional weight of a traditional chain or U-lock in your bag.
Squire makes all its locks in the UK and is one of the few brands, alongside Litelok and Abus, that offers wearable options. I am reviewing the Straplok 35/850 wearable model, but it also offers the Chainlok 10, which uses the same wearable adapter and lock barrel but gets a much higher Diamond Sold Secure rating.
Construction
The Straplok 35/850 (850 denotes its overall length in cm) features a strap made of multiple high-tensile steel cores. This is wrapped in a flexible outer layer protected by a neoprene cover. The strap also has an adjustable extender that enables it to fit various waist sizes, from 30”/76cm to 48”/122cm.
By far, the Straplok's most unique feature is its patented ‘linear pin tumbler’ locking mechanism. This simple key slot system doesn’t require turning; once the key is inserted, it opens at the push of a small button.
If you need extra reach, or take the belt-and-braces approach to securing your bike, multiple Straplok 35s can be connected together. A pair can be purchased at a discount bundle price of £129.99.
The claimed weight for a single lock is just 1.2kg / 2.7 lbs, and the Straplok has a Sold Secure Silver rating. It's available in a choice of four bright colours plus black for those who don't like to stand out. Included with the lock are two keys and a wearable adapter, which enables you to adjust the Straplok to the size of your waist.
In use
On the scales, I discovered the Straplok is lighter than stated, coming in at just 1.1kg, which is quite light for a lock of this type. Furthermore, it is narrower and flatter than the Litelok Core Plus I recently tested, more closely resembling a belt, making it significantly more comfortable to wear.
The belt adapter works rather well. Since it attaches at both ends of the lock, I could ratchet it up to achieve a comfortable and secure position around my torso when riding. I prefer this system to the one used by Litelok on its wearable range, and it's also considerably easier to remove if it's not needed.
When it came time to lock up my bike, the Straplok's flexibility was a great help. Its bendy nature meant I could comfortably navigate awkward locking situations that would have proved far more difficult with a less pliant lock. Attaching two Straploks together is a simple solution when you need a longer reach, such as when locking two bikes or securing a single bike to a lamppost.
The locking mechanism stands out. It feels solid, and the convenience of not having a rotating key and barrel should make it reliable against the elements. Additionally, the push-button response is delightfully uncomplicated—there's no catching or having to feel for engagement.
Another element I appreciated was the soft neoprene cover. It’s gentle on your clothes and your bike's paint whilst significantly increasing the comfort of wearing the lock. However, although I didn't use the lock in the rain, the fabric quickly picked up dirt and grease when handled and I worry that this may bleed into my clothing over time. Moreover, the sleeve is not removable for washing.
One issue that could prove more problematic than a dirty shirt is the lock’s low Silver Sold Secure rating. While I believe half the battle of keeping a bike secure is having a visual deterrent, sadly, a Silver rating will offer little resistance against the new breed of angle grinder-wielding thieves.
That said, it’s not a lock designed to secure a high-end bike for hours away from regular foot traffic. Rather, it's for those of lower value, say up to £1,000, for short periods and to deter opportunist criminals.
Conclusions and value
While it has a low-security rating, the Squire Straplok 35/850 is a super lock. It has been well-thought-out in response to how people use locks and what they actually require from them. I applaud Squire for this attention to detail and quality research.
At £69.99, it is bang on the money, considering its decent specification. In fact. the Straplok is priced in line with other flexible options such as the Seatylock Foldylock Compact my colleague Luke tested last year.
There are higher security non-wearable options at similar prices though, like the OnGuard Pitbull Mini, which offers a Diamond rating and weighs only a touch more a 1.3kg. Therefore, you should consider whether being able to wear a lock is a must-have feature before making a purchase.
