Ski equipment can be expensive and if you have spent your hard-earned money purchasing your own, you definitely want to protect it from theft.
While much of your equipment such as boots, goggles, gloves, and jackets can be locked away in a car or small locker, skis can pose a little more of a problem due to their size.
Depending on the size of your vehicle or the availability of a large locker, you may not have the ability to secure your skis along with your other equipment. There will be times that you really need to lock your skis up in order to ensure they are not stolen.
A good ski lock will help you protect your skis so that when you are in the gas station, the ski lodge, or even the bathroom, you won’t have to worry about whether your favorite skis are safe and sound.
There are a lot of different ones out there to choose from, so let’s take a look at some of the best ski locks to get for this winter.
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Who Should Get This
If you are a skier, then a ski lock is a piece of equipment that you definitely should have. You might think that you would only need a lock to protect your own equipment. Sure, you always want to protect your personal gear from theft but you probably should consider this for rental equipment also.
If you rent skis and they are stolen then you will most likely have to pay for them unless you have some type of insurance on them that covers loss or theft.
Even if you do have insurance, it can be a real hassle to take care of, so why not invest a small amount of money on a lock and then you won’t have to worry about your skis when you are stopping for gas on the way to the slopes or in the lodge taking a quick break.
These locks can be used to secure other pieces of equipment such as helmets, ski poles, boots, and more. They are also not limited to just ski equipment. You can use them for bikes, luggage, skateboards, or any other items that you need to secure.
Top Picks of Best Ski Locks
Here, you’ll see a list of my top recommendations along with a quick review of each ski lock. The goal is to help you get to know the pros and cons of each product.
1. Best Overall: Bosvision Ultra-Secure Lock
This 4 digit combination lock is both secure and portable. The retractable cable allows you to easily disconnect and store it in any of your coat pockets.
What we like:
- 4 digit combinations make it hard to crack the code, making it very secure.
- Very lightweight and easy to carry.
- Retractable cable requires minimal storage space.
- Very strong and durable.
- Vinyl coated cable makes it harder to cut and protects equipment from being scratched.
What we don’t like:
- The retractor does not lock until the cable is pulled all the way out, so you must make sure the cable is wrapped tight around your skis.
2. Easiest to Use: Lewis N. Clark Cable Lock
This 3 digit combination retractable lock is easy to use. It’s also easy to carry and easy to unlock. Its ease of use makes it convenient for securing most of your equipment.
What we like:
- Very durable. Constructed with ABS plastic and thermoplastic rubber.
- Easy to reset and program your own combination.
- Lightweight compact design is easy to carry in your pocket.
- 3 digit combo makes it quick and easy to unlock.
What we don’t like:
- Cable is only 30 inches.
==> You can also get it on Irv’s Luggage.
3. Most Durable: Onguard Terrier Cable Lock
This is a great basic cable lock. Its strength and durability provide great security. The simplicity of the lock makes it very quick and easy to use.
What we like:
- Set and reset your own combination.
- The raised combination dials make it easy to use even with gloves.
- The vinyl-coated cable protects your equipment from being scratched or damaged.
- The 4-foot cable allows you to tie up and secure multiple items.
What we don’t like:
- It may be a little bulky to carry around.
==> You can also get it on Walmart or Focus.
4. Best for Multiple Use: Safeman Multifunction Quick Lock
This lightweight key lock is one of the most convenient locks out there. It is compact and very easy to carry. This one uses a key, so there is no combination to remember.
What we like:
- Very lightweight at only 129 grams.
- Very compact fits in almost any pocket.
- It has 2 loops that allow for multiple locking options.
- 100% rustproof.
- A very strong cable keeps your equipment secure.
What we don’t like:
- If you lose your keys, you won’t be able to get your equipment.
==> You can also get it on Walmart or Ace Hardware.
How to Choose the Best Ski Locks
Not sure how to narrow down the choices from the crowd? Take the factors below into account during your ski lock research journey.
Security
The main reason for using a lock is to secure your equipment from theft. You want to make sure the lock you get can withstand the average attempt to break or cut the lock.
While there are ways to break almost any lock, you want to find one that is difficult and will take time. This will deter thieves enough that they will move on to equipment that has no lock or less secure locks.
Durability
You want to find a lock that is durable and will withstand cold weather as well as moisture. You will be using it in the rain, snow, and ice and you want it to last. You don’t want a lock that will fail and allow your equipment to be stolen.
Portability
Since you will be skiing, you will need to carry the lock with you, so you want to find something that is lightweight and can fit in one of your pockets. You don’t want to haul some heavy lock around all day while you are skiing.
Ease of Use
Look for a lock that is easy to use. It should be easy to connect to your equipment and secure it to a pole, post or other structure. It should also be easy to open when you want to disconnect your equipment from the lock.
Combination or Key?
You should decide if you want a combination lock or a key lock. With a combination lock, you will need to memorize the combination of numbers or letters to open the lock.
With a key lock, you will only need to use the key to open it, but you will have to carry the key around with you and if you lose the key you will be locked out of your own equipment.
Useful Tips
Losing your skis to a thief or even having someone take it by mistake can really ruin your ski trip. Even if you don’t have new high-end equipment, you are still at risk of theft. Take a look at this video for some tips on locking up your equipment and how to prevent theft.
Final Words
Even if it has never happened to you, don’t be the person who thinks it never will happen and just leave your equipment unprotected.
With a relatively cheap purchase of a ski lock and a small amount of time to lock up your equipment, you will keep your skis safe and sound while you take a quick break from a great day of winter activity.
Have you ever had any of your equipment stolen or taken by mistake? We would love to hear your story. Give us some feedback and let us know what you think.
