Lightweight lock...I'm new...dont hurt me

[Jabberwockt]

Hi, I'm new. I tried using the search function but I dont think I'm going to be a lock expert overnight. So I need advice:

I plan to take several months off to go backpacking around the world and I was doing some research on what to bring. Most people suggested 1 or 2 good locks. For lockers, hotel rooms, locking my luggage, and etc.

I want to travel light and most locks are fairly heavy. I've also heard that some thefts are quite adept at picking or just breaking cheaper locks.

Can anyone recommend an low cost lock that is not very heavy and would be likely to deter the average thief? Are key lock better or combination? I am leaning towrds the smaller combination locks with 3-4 disc that range from 0-9. Are these any good (it would be nice not to carry a key)? Are lightweight padlocks with plastic cases any good or can anyone just melt the case with a lighter.

Any and all help is appreciated.

[melvin2001]

your best bet would be to pick up an american brand padlock, with an aluminum case. they are generally considered high quality locks. if there is an ace hardware near where you live, there is also an ACE brand padlock that is aluminum, also very light. it is actually an american brand clone.

[JackNco]

ok well ive kinda done this. there are a few good tricks i learned. but first off any good lock wont fit through the holes on a locker. BUT if ur backpacking then you wont have anything worth stealing with you and thieves know this in genera. plus lockers are in large groups so there pretty safe. and after a week u wont care. 5 days in i was leaving my bag in rooms and walking away, ull give stop caring.

Tips:
-Bike locks/chains fit round backs and thing that are bolted down nicely.

-small bags get stolen keep everything in one big backpack

-get a cheap bag, the little gis know the expensive brands and asume ull have better stuff in them

[JackNco]

ok well ive kinda done this. there are a few good tricks i learned. but first off any good lock wont fit through the holes on a locker. BUT if ur backpacking then you wont have anything worth stealing with you and thieves know this in genera. plus lockers are in large groups so there pretty safe. and after a week u wont care. 5 days in i was leaving my bag in rooms and walking away, ull give stop caring.

Tips:
-Bike locks/chains fit round backs and thing that are bolted down nicely.

-small bags get stolen keep everything in one big backpack

-get a cheap bag, the little gis know the expensive brands and asume ull have better stuff in them

[UWSDWF]

One-two one-two and through and through the vorpal blade went snicker snack

[n2oah]

any good lock wont fit through the holes on a locker.

You're telling me American Locks aren't good locks? You can even put Medeco cores in them if you want.

[JackNco]

any good lock wont fit through the holes on a locker.

You're telling me American Locks aren't good locks? You can even put Medeco cores in them if you want.

Read the sentence ur quoting. im saying american locks are good. im saying that

any good lock wont fit through the holes on a locker.

As in if you take a good lock...... it wont fit through the holes on the locker.... it wont fit

[melvin2001]

jacknco is correct in that many higher security locks have large diameter shackles, and shrouded shackles, that limit their usefulness on the smaller diameter holes in many lockers.

[JackNco]

a lot of the places i stayed u wouldn't get anything thicker than a suitcase lock on. you wouldn't get a master 140 through it.

But as i say give it a week n ull give up caring

[n2oah]

If you weren't incompetent, you would know that I said American locks do fit through holes on lockers. I'm not sure if your lockers are stupid, but they do fit on every single locker I could ever find.

[bembel]

As a backpacker I made good experiences with a dial combination lock (e.g. Master).
Light and safe enough to lock your room, no keys to lose.

[JackNco]

i ended up with about 4 locks attached to my bag when i went, using the biggest one i could on the lockers.

Bembel - DONT ever stay in the YHA hostel in rome!

[bembel]

Don't tell me!
In Rome they broke our car and stole my complete climbing equipment. Also everything I had.
I was REALLY pissed. (And this wasn't the first time)
If you want to go to Italy, take a 500kg safe with you and mount it on the floor.

[bembel]

On a second thought: Avoid Italy!
Nice country, but it's everytime the same: Somebody breaks into my car or steals my luggage...
I don't go there again if I don't have to.
(I am still pissed!)

[JackNco]

u really can compare italy to going out with a girl thats out of your league

Nice to look at but your gonna get over