Hiplok Original: Superbright Review

This Hiplok is built around an 8mm hardened steel chain, paired with a 10mm steel shackle that pulls double-duty as a belt buckle. Encased in a reflective nylon sleeve, it features a seatbelt-style strap that lets you wear the Hiplok comfortably around the waist while you're on the move, even if your waist is larger than the chain.

Security

With a Sold Secure Silver designation and a “Medium/High Risk” security rating, the Hiplok Original lived up to its reputation in our field tests. Despite a plastic outer shell that might look vulnerable, the padlock housing proved remarkably resilient to prying and blunt-force attacks.

Heavy-duty bolt cutters and a bevy of hacksaw blades were used against the lock to no avail. We attacked the 10mm lock shackle and the 8mm links with our hand tools, but neither resulted in even cosmetic damage.

In many ways, this chain holds up well against U-locks. The chain actually has a distinct advantage due to its flexibility. Not only is it resistant to bolt cutters and hacksaws, but thieves can't use a crowbar or car jack in this design.

However, when it comes to power tools, the Hiplok is less stubborn. While the Litelok X1 survived almost 7 minutes against an angle grinder, the Hiplok shackle was defeated in just 23 seconds with a single cut. Despite this, we still consider the security score high, as most thieves equipped with power grinders will eventually breach almost any portable lock.

Ease of Transportation

This is where the Hiplok truly innovates. High-security locks are notoriously heavy and cumbersome to carry, but by turning the lock into a wearable hip belt, Hiplok has distributed its 4-pound weight around the rider's center of gravity. We also appreciated the wide reflective strip on the nylon sleeve, which significantly improves nighttime visibility. The downside of a bulky metal chain around your hips is that it could increase the risk of injury in a crash or a fall from the bike.

This design solves the “no-mount” problem found with many U-locks. If you have a backpack, pannier, or bag on your bike large enough to hold the lock, you may find those spots to be favorable. While the nylon sheath can become a bit heavy and damp against your skin during a downpour, the sheer convenience of not needing a bag or a frame mount makes this a standout for daily commuting.

Ease of Use

While the Hiplok appears to have a great design, in practice, we found the lock's ergonomics somewhat frustrating. The chain is shorter than the belt, and the lock housing's contour makes it harder to use. The shackle on most locks can rotate 360 degrees, which makes the lock a simple mechanism. The shackle on this lock, however, can rotate only about 170 degrees and can't clear the plastic/rubber housing. Since you're also contending with the wide webbing belt, we often found ourselves somewhat frustrated with the lock while locking our bikes.

While it requires slightly more maneuvering than threading a simple cable lock through your wheel and frame, it is much less clunky than trying to align a heavy U-lock crossbar. With two feet of usable chain, you can secure your bike to almost any standard street fixture.

Versatility

Judging Hiplok's versatility is a bit of a mixed bag. On a standard frame, the chain is long enough to secure the frame and one wheel. To lock both wheels, you'll have to pop off the front wheel and place it next to the rear. While that's an extra step, the chain's flexibility makes it far better at handling mountain bikes with high-volume tires or ebikes with swollen downtubes than many rigid U-locks or folding models.

The chain is also useful for securing gear in a garage or even for light motorcycle/scooter use. However, if you want to lock both wheels without removing the front, the Kryptonite Evolution Chain offers more reach, though it lacks the clever wearable design of the Hiplok.

Should You Buy the Hiplok Original: Superbright?

If you are a daily commuter or an urban rider who wants high-level protection without the annoyance of a frame mount or a backpack, the Hiplok is a cool product. It is a solution-oriented piece of biking gear that offers an alternative to mounting a lock on your bike. We're not sold on its ergonomics and are reluctant to recommend it because of concerns about hip safety.

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