Hiplok Z Lok Review (and Hiplok Z Lok Combo Review)

The Z Lok represents further innovation from Hiplok, this time in the form of a secure, lockable cable tie for all kinds of outdoor uses.

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Innovators in Bicycle Locks

If there’s one cycling company that I feel unequivocally positive about, it’s Hiplok. That’s something that emerged to me as I was writing this review — there are lots of brands I love in this sport (I’m somebody who’s been walking around in a Campagnolo logo face mask all pandemic), but very few I feel 100% happy with.

So why Hiplok? I just think they’re doing something rare. They’re constantly innovating, but everything they produce serves a clear purpose. That’s increasingly hard to find in any industry. Plus, their gear is excellent quality. I think Hiplok’s a perfect example of a young cycling company that’s doing things right.

Winning the Wearable Lock Niche

Hiplok got its start with the lock that gave the brand its name, a lock you wear as you ride. The original Hiplok took the form of a thick steel chain, with protective padding and a reflective background. You use the smart, adjustable velcro design to wear it around your waist (or your hips… hence its name) while you ride. It’s faster and more comfortable than using the padlock itself to secure the chain around your waist.

They followed up with the Hiplok Lite, a version of their first product, which, as its name suggests, was revised to be slightly smaller and lighter. I bought it after destroying a Kindle when I threw a bike lock into my messenger bag one day. Here it is in action on my fixie somewhere in Boston:

And it’s secure. It saved my bike when intrepid bike thieves came for it. After being foiled by the lock, they used their impressive array of tools to try to strip my bike instead. But they wasted so much time trying to get past the Hiplok–without a scratch on it, I’ll add–that the police managed to catch them. It’s all on security camera video, somewhere.

Hiplok continued to innovate in this vein. They branched out from chain locks into D locks, devising a simple method to clip to your belt while you ride. Super hipster, but also super convenient.

You probably spotted a trend: Hiplok has carved out the wearable lock niche well, with a host of products that make transporting a lock easy no matter what you’re wearing or whatever else you’re carrying. Since then, they’ve added bike storage, cable locks, and now the Z Lok series.

The Z Lok and Z Lok Combo

The Z Lok is the latest piece of innovative bike locking tech from a company that’s made this innovation their specialty. It’s not wearable this time, and it’s not exactly a dedicated lock. Instead, it functions like a cable tie – a cable tie you can lock and unlock, and with a steel core so it can’t be cut through. Or at least, not very easily.

So what’s the point?

One perfect use-case is when your bike’s on your bike rack. You can strap it in using a Z Lok and when you stop to grab food, or charge your Tesla, or whatever, you know that nobody can just grab your bike off the back of your car.

Another use-case could be securing your helmet to your bike. Or… well, it has a huge number of use-cases. And they extend way beyond just cycling:

That’s not to say you can’t use it as a bike lock. It’s certainly intended to be a secondary lock rather than something you use to secure your bike overnight. There’s clear value in using it as a cafe lock, when you only really need something that will prevent someone opportunistic from walking off with your bike.

It’s short-term security. And it’s also extraordinarily versatile. You can use it to lock anything to anything, within reason. You can lock your bike, or your helmet. Or your handbag or skis. Hell, I might start using it to lock the baby stroller up when we walk down to the beach.

The Hiplok Z Lok series has two separate models: the Z Lok and the Z Lok Combo.

Z Lok – $11.99

The Z Lok keeps it simple. It’s a cable tie with a key that locks and unlocks it. There’s not much to report here: it works well and doesn’t feel flimsy despite being small and light.

As mentioned earlier, it has a steel core to prevent opportunistic thieves cutting through it. It also has a double locking system for extra security. Note that the “key” is actually just a simple release mechanism – there aren’t keys unique to each individual lock.

Weight: 20g

Locking length: 420mm

Color options: Red, Lime, Black, Cyan, Orange

Z Lok Combo – $24.99

The big difference introduced with the Z Lok Combo is alluded to in its name: instead of using a key, it’s a combination lock. The obvious benefit is that you don’t have anything extra to carry when riding.

There are other changes too. It’s a touch longer. It’s also heavier. A lot heavier… comparatively. It’s only 70 grams, so it’s not like you’ll notice the extra weight, but it’s 2.5x the weight of the standard Z Lok.

Weight: 70g

Locking length: 430mm

Color options: Black, Teal, Yellow, Urban Green

Verdict

Cable ties are a great locking mechanism because they’re so versatile – it’s why they’ve found so many uses. The two areas that present limitations to their usefulness are that they’re not reusable and that they’re so easy to cut through that they offer no security. The Z Lok is such a blindingly obvious answer because it applies these benefits to cable ties, creating a whole new use-case for an already very useful tool.

I can easily imagine using the Z Lok on my roof rack, or leaving my bike outside at ski cabins or bike races, or securing my helmet to my bars, and… well, a huge amount of non-cycling things. It’s functionally valuable and an excellent example of Hiplok’s pragmatic innovation.

As to which model to buy? The regular Z Lok wins it for me. It’s cheaper and much lighter. There’s not really a wrong answer though.