Luggage locks: How to buy/TSA explainer
Most of the terms you’ll encounter around luggage locks are pretty self explanatory, but ‘TSA rated’ is one that might crop up and raise an eyebrow, especially for European travellers. TSA stands for US Transportation Security Administration, which is the body responsible for checking luggage after screening. If your bag contains anything that isn’t immediately obvious on the scanners, it’ll be opened and manually checked. This is such a common occurrence that TSA employees have generic keys that fit TSA-approved bag locks, allowing them to be unlocked, inspected, and relocked without damage.
Overall, a TSA approved luggage lock is an essential if travelling to or via the US, but obviously raises the issue that the lock can be opened with generic keys. This isn’t much of an issue while in transit, but might be worth considering if you plan to leave bags in left-luggage style storage for long periods.
Matador Betalock
Simple but effective, the Betalock is an aluminium accessory carabiner with a neat locking mechanism built in. A sleek alloy key locks and unlocks the gate in a jiffy, creating a fantastic security tool to prevent casual theft. From securing a rucksack in a cafe to gear in a drying room, zips on a travel bag, bike helmet to bike frame, or bags to a ski rack, there are a myriad of uses. Unlike some, the lock is flush-fitted so doesn’t get in the way when not in use, and it’s sized to be lightweight while big enough to be useful.
Buy the Matador Betalock: £28 at wildbounds.com
Samsonite Global Travel Accessories Three Dial TSA Combilock
While on the face of it this is a standard combination suitcase lock, there are a few other factors in it’s favour too. Not least is that it’s made by Samsonite, a company that knows a few things about travel luggage. It’s also TSA approved, so might survive a few encounters with customs folk, and finally it’s a tenner, which can’t really be sniffed at.
As a lightweight lock to prevent casual riffling through your luggage, it’s pretty much on the money - three dials are plenty enough to stop the petty thief, without being a major inconvenience to you, the traveller. Overall, it’s a perfectly sensible choice that won’t let you down in the long run.
Buy the Samsonite Global Travel Accessories Three Dial TSA Combilock: £10 from Amazon.co.uk
PacSafe 55 Secure Protector for Backpacks
The PacSafe 55 might look unusual to the untrained eye, but there is method in the madness. The basic scheme is that a standard backpacker rucksack might be comfy to carry and capacious enough for several weeks of Thai island hopping, but is pretty useless from a security point of view. The PacSafe 55 tackles this by wrapping your rucksack in a wire net, preventing slashing attacks. There’s also a cable provided, so you can secure your netted bag to a solid object - excellent when leaving your luggage in a hostel or storage room.
The packed-down net isn’t the lightest item, but if you’re planning on keeping accommodation costs down, it’s arguably worth the peace of mind. Theft can also happen from higher-end hotel rooms too, and teh options available for securing rucksacks are few and far between. Pacsafe offers a range of sizes to suit most rucksacks too.
Buy the PacSafe 55 Secure Protector for Backpacks: £59 from Amazon.co.uk
Abus 146TSA combination lock
Abus know a few things about locks, and while the 146TSA luggage lock might not be the company’s most resilient, it does do the job - particularly if you’re travelling in TSA-territory, or the US, in other words. The company claims the finish is an ‘attractive leather look’, which is arguable, but the lock itself is top drawer. A compact triple ring combination deals with the locking side of things, and the shackle is slim enough to fit into most suitcase zippers.
A neat additional element is that the TSA lock has an indicator if to show if it has been opened by using the key, just to add to your peace of mind.
Buy Abus 146TSA combination lock: £28 from Amazon.co.uk
OW-Travel TSA Approved Luggage Lock
Now, your standard suitcase lock takes the form of a padlock, and has done for decades. It’s an easy design to operate in the dark or one-handed, but still keeps things safe and secure. The OW-Travel takes a different slant on this all, offering a much more compact design that’s designed to not get ripped off when roughly handled - which chunkier padlocks can suffer from.
Aside from the funky design, the lock is also TSA-approved, and requires a standard-style key to open, dispensing with the whole combination malarkey. This also adds the benefit that if bought in multiples it can be ‘keyed alike’ so one key can open all the luggage - helpful with kids or those travelling with large numbers of suitcases.
Buy OW-Travel TSA Approved Luggage Lock: £7 from Amazon.co.uk
Lifeventure Cable Lock
The sad fact is that travellers are sometimes at risk from tea-leaves, and having your stuff nicked can run a trip in short order. As a result, locking items where you can is often a good idea, and at the very least offers peace of mind. This highly flexible lock from Lifeventure offers a good deterrent to casual theft, with a 90cm retractable steel shackle that can be wrapped around bags, skis and luggage and locked to a solid object like a handrail.
A durable ABS plastic casing and combination lock complete a package that might not deter a professional, but will make a difference where petty theft is concerned.
Buy Lifeventure Cable Lock: £12 from Amazon.co.uk
Lifeventure Travel Door Lock
The fact is that hotel door locks are not always the most robust, and in some cases barely keep the door closed, nevermind secure. In these cases the Lifeventure Travel Door Lock offers peace of mind (and thus a much better night’s sleep) by allowing you to secure almost any door from the inside.
The simple device is easy to operate, and the robust nylon construction means there shouldn’t be issues at the airport. Additionally, at a mere 10 grams and 94x40x12mm, it’s not going to weigh you down unnecessarily. Brilliant peace of mind for solo travellers, and especially for those venturing off the beaten track.
Buy Lifeventure Travel Door Lock: £27 from Amazon.co.uk
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