Best lightweight bike locks: Decent security that won't weigh you down

It's a sad fact of life that bike theft happens, and it's a pretty common occurrence these days, which is why investing in one of the best lightweight bike locks could be a great idea for many. 

There are plenty of excellent security options out there, but even the best bike locks can feel too heavy and unwieldy to pop into your backpack. If you're just running errands or out on a club run, having something compact and lightweight can be a godsend. Plus they still offer decent protection without a significant weight burden, making peace of mind portable, wherever your ride takes you. If budget is more of a concern than weight or absolute protection though, head to our list of the best budget bike locks instead.

Choosing the best lightweight bike lock for you will depend mostly on your individual circumstances, so we've included a range of options in our round-up below after extensive testing and research, and if you need a bit of help deciding, then we've answered some frequently asked questions at the bottom.

Once you've got your lock, the next thing to do is use it properly. Our separate guide on how to lock a bike will walk you through the proper practice to prevent your bike from being stolen, and if you're really worried, other measures you can take include investing in one of the best bike GPS trackers, which can help you track down your bike once it's gone. It would also be a good idea to take out the best bike insurance to cover the cost of replacing it, but be sure to compare bicycle insurance policies, as they vary greatly.

The best lightweight bike locks available today

Abus has a lot of folding lock options but this one, as the 'Lite' name suggests, uses six slimmer, lightweight, 5mm bars. Those bars then come together with hardened steel rivets and an automatic cylinder lock. It's half the weight of other Bordo options but the Abus Bordo Lite comes together for a 7 out of 15 security level as rated by Abus.

Although this is one of the higher security options on this list, it's still easy to use. Folding locks in general do a very good job of offering small packaging with good security and going with the 85cm option adds to that. If you need to lock your bike and wheel around chunky street furniture, you'll appreciate the extra space. 

Read more details in our Abus Bordo Lite 6055 review.

This super-lightweight lock from Giant uses a mini karabiner-style hook at one end to secure a coiled 90cm cable lock that can be pulled through the frame, wheels, helmet etc. 

It weighs in at 50 grams and is small enough to pocket or leave in your saddlebag, making it a hyper-convenient deterrent, just in case you need to leave your bike out of reach for short stints of time. 

It is locked using a three-digit combination lock mechanism, meaning there are no keys for you to lose, but you will need to remember your code. 

It’s not going to stop even a mildly determined thief with snips or a hammer, but it will stop opportunists long enough for you to intervene. Just don't leave the bike out of sight. 

Hiplok’s cunning armoured zip tie won’t stand up to bolt cutters or even a decent pair of cable snips, and the small two-prong 'key' is easily replicated, making the locking mechanism easily picked, but that's not necessarily the point here. What the Z-Lok covers is a super-portable way to provide security against grab-and-go opportunistic thieves. It is ideal for those who don't let their bike out of sight, but might occasionally leave it out of reach, such as at a cafe or fuel station. 

The flexible steel strip under the rubber coating is tougher than simple wire combo locks, and it’s enough to stop tearing, twisting or yanking attacks long enough for you to intervene.

At 40cm, it’s long enough to bundle bags/helmets/wheels together against something solid or lock bags onto bikes. It can also be used for other outdoor accessories if you’re a multi-sporter. At 20g each, they’re certainly no trouble to take along on any ride or leave in your saddle bag just in case.

The basic version comes with a universal two-pronged release ‘key’ but if you want more security there’s a combination lock version for a bit more money. For maximum value get the twin pack of the basic Z-Lok and share it with a friend or double your deterrent.

The Hiplok DX is a seriously secure U lock that’s been downsized for maximum portability. The shackle only gives a 15 x 8.5cm locking space, so you’ll need to get your bike up snug to whatever your anchor point is, and potentially use another lock to secure wheels etc. 

However, anything you fit inside this shackle is protected by the 14mm hardened steel construction and an anti-rotation double deadlock, meaning it will benefit from a full Gold rating from independent testers Sold Secure. You get three coded keys too, which is useful if you have a habit of losing them, and it comes with a lifetime warranty for peace of mind. 

The other neat piece of the design is two long ‘Clip & Ride’ belt clips built into the lock bar so you can slide it onto your pocket or onto your belt. You’ll need to keep that belt pretty tight though as it still weighs in at over a kilo. 

If you want the best security for a D-lock that means you want to look for a design that locks both sides of the lock. It requires not one but two cuts in order to free a bike. The latest version of the Kryptonite Kryptolok Mini-7 adds double shackle security while keeping plenty of colours and a lightweight design. 

Although both the Hiplok DX and the Kryptolok Mini-7 weigh in at a similar weight, they are very different in design. The Hiplok option uses a 14mm shackle that's heavier but they make the overall size smaller. When it comes to mounting it's meant for wearing on your waist. The Kryptolok Mini 7 uses a narrower shape that's longer. It's easier to capture both a rear wheel and a stationary object but there's a smaller 12.7mm shackle to save weight. Instead of wearing the Kryptonite, there's an included frame mount. 

Even with the smaller shackle design, Kryptonite believes in the strength of its lock. Make sure you follow the directions exactly but in the event your bike disappears, Kryptonite has insurance available. 

Rather than a traditional linked chain, LiteLok's lightweight bike locks use a strap made from a material called Boaflexicore, which is essentially a collection of high-tensile steel cables in a nylon mesh sleeve. This makes for a long flexible strap that can be fixed to a bike's frame with the two included mounting straps or worn around the waist.

The cables are slightly more vulnerable to cutting/grinding than a conventional chain or shackle, but it’s super-secure against bolt croppers and burst-breaking methods. The neat lock is impressively tough and weather/dirt-proofed too, giving it a Sold Secure Silver rating overall. 

The flexible design also makes it easy to snake through congested locking situations which makes it harder for thieves to get to. If you want a longer strap then the Wearable version comes in small (93cm, 1.3kg), medium (100cm, 1.4kg) and large (110cm, 1.45kg) sizes.

Hiplok is best known for its clever belt-style locks, which means you don't have to worry about mounting it to your bike or carrying a bag big enough for it to fit in. As the 'Lite' name suggests, this is the lightest in the range, although it still tips the scales at around a kilo. 

The body of the lock is a chain with 6mm hardened steel links, secured with an 8mm shackle that gives it a Bronze rating from Sold Secure. That means it won’t delay a tooled-up attack for too long, but it’s enough to fend off a casual thief. 

The locking length is 75cm, however, the belt fit can be adjusted from 66cm to 110cm (26-44in) to be worn by most riders comfortably. It comes with a lifetime warranty and various colours for style, as well as a high-vis colour for safety. 

If you like the look of this but want a more secure alternative, we also recommend the Hiplok Gold.

The Litelok Flexi-U is effectively a downsized version of LiteLok’s very clever belt style designs, using a similar strap format but in Regular (19 x 10cm) or Large (27 x 11.5cm) sizes. We'd recommend both sizes, using the large to secure the rear triangle to a Sheffield post, and the Regular to lock the front wheel to the frame.

While it comes curved like a fixed shape U-lock, the strap is fully flexible so it can bend around any manner of street furniture to secure your bike. The flex also makes it much harder to burst apart and it uses LiteLok’s proven locking mechanism. Of all the locks listed here, we'd say this one is the most versatile.

That means it gets both Sold Secure Silver level and ART2 security ratings, despite weighing half what a comparable solid U lock would.  

Altor started its company on Kickstarter with the idea of creating a beautiful but still effective lock for keeping your bike safe in style. The Apex is the newest lock in the range, and the first to use titanium links in its patented, four-rod folding design. 

The steel rivet caps are also hardened against power tool attacks and the lock mechanism uses a push-button disc-detainer design for protection. 

You can't tell from the pictures but the boutique laser engraved finish is protected by a clear coat layer. It's there to keep both the lock and your frame looking great. The modular design also lets you extend the 77cm length by adding extra Apex locks. You get four keys and a bike mount, and considering all the locks are handmade in Washington DC, the price is remarkably competitive. 

The whole point of a lightweight bike lock is to make sure you've always got something at hand. Something that's small and portable so that it's so easy you never find yourself leaving it at home rather than bothering to carry it along. The Hiplok FLX is not only one of the lightest options available but it's also an emergency rear light. The retractable cable offers 100cm in length and the light is a 10-lumen flashing red light. We think this is really useful as getting caught out at night without at least a rear light can be stressful. Throw it in your bag and whatever surprises come up you'll have something to help. 

Like the Z-Lok and Giant Surelock above, it’s only really a defence against a non-tooled ‘walk-off’ thief rather than proper protection, but it's an equally great choice for anyone wanting to leave their bike propped up at a cafe. 

How to choose the best lightweight bike lock for you

If you're new to buying bike locks, the sheer amount of variety on offer can be daunting. Generally, the most secure locks tend to be D-locks, as they're often stronger and more resilient against various attacks. However, they're often not the lightest option, which is why there are plenty of bike lock manufacturers coming up with alternatives.

In this list, you'll find D-locks as well as wearable locks that you can clip around your waist, and smaller combination or key-operated locks that don't offer a huge amount of security, but are fine if you're just popping in and out of a shop. Ultimately when choosing the right lock for you, consider where you plan to lock your bike, and how long you'll leave it unattended.