Best Choice
Safeman Cable Ski and Snowboard Lock
Best Value
Bosvision 4-Digit Retractable Cable Lock
Editors Choice
Ski Key – Ski and Snowboard Lock
The Best Ski and Snowboard Locks
Summary
Nothing can ruin a trip to a snowy resort like having your skis or snowboard stolen. Moreover, such gear costs some hefty cash, so you may not be able to replace them in time for the next season!
Today, we’ll be helping you find the best ski and snowboard locks with reviews of some of the top products on the market and a detailed buying guide. Let’s take a look!
Best Choice
Safeman Cable Ski and Snowboard Lock
5/5
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Durable and super powerful, the Safeman Multifunction Cable Lock will protect your skiing or snowboarding equipment like a champ. Its security mechanism is both sophisticated and fool-proof at the same time.
The Safeman lock features a corrosion-resistant and rust-proof cable with 2 loops to provide extra security. You then use the included key to quickly fasten your gear in place.
The cable is made out of sturdy stainless steel and delivers 2640 pounds of tensile strength, so you can enjoy your time off in peace. You can also extend the cable up to 30 inches long to fit more of your gear.
The Safeman Multifunction Cable Lock can last for a long time thanks to its ability to endure wet and low-temperature environments. It even comes with 2 keys so you can have a spare around whenever one copy isn’t available.
Weighing about 4.5 ounces, this lock is available in blue, white, and red colors. It does cost a bit more than average cable locks, but its reliability is sure worth the investment.
Specs
- Type: cable lock with key
- Weight: 4.5 ounces
Pros
- Delivers over 2600 pounds of tensile strength
- Resists wet and cold conditions
- Features double loops to enhance security
- Extremely small and portable
Best Value
Bosvision 4-Digit Retractable Cable Lock
5/5
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The Bosvision Ultra-Secure 4-Digit Combination Lock is another excellent choice for those who aren’t fans of fumbling around with keys. It’s also suitable for shoppers on a budget thanks to its affordable price tag compared to some of the candidates on our list
This lock sits in an ABS housing. When it’s time to fasten your gear, you just need to pull the vinyl-coated steel cable and wrap it around your stuff for an extra layer of security.
The cable is 2.4mm-wide to improve durability, and it extends to a length of up to 35 inches, which is more than most cable locks on the market. The whole unit weighs around 3 ounces so it’s also lightweight when you’re on the go.
To fasten your equipment, you need to set 4 keys into a specific code of your choice. This number of keys offers 10,000 possible combinations, so there’s no way a thief would be able to guess your code.
When you remove the lock to use your gear, you’ll simply push a button to quickly recoil the cable without costing you any effort. Don’t worry, the included setup guide will walk you through the entire process.
Compact yet reliable, this ski and snowboard lock comes in 3 colors: black, black/green, and orange. It’s also super versatile, so you can use it to secure other stuff besides skis and snowboards including your luggage.
Specs
- Type: cable lock with combination
- Weight: 3.3 ounces
Pros
- Convenient recoiling of the cable thanks to push-button retraction
- Offers 10,000 possible combinations
- Outstanding value for money
Editors Choice
Ski Key – Ski and Snowboard Lock
5/5
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Next up, we have a simple but mighty little lock from the brand SKI KEY. The Ski Key is a straightforward option that’ll give you all the security you need without the hassle of using wires or codes.
They are designed to work specifically with Ski Key racks that your ski resort or nearby lodges have on premises. This makes them ultra safe, but also means your resort must carry and have available racks that are compatible with the key. You can find a list of resort carriers at the Ski Key website.
The mechanism of this handy unit is basically your regular manual key & lock mechanism. Within rails for your gear, set your skis or snowboard on the rack, then lock in the unit to fasten the equipment. Take a look at the Ski Key instructions by clicking here.
The lack of cables means that the Ski Key can’t be cut off. So you can enjoy your day without worrying about anyone trying to break your lock and steal your precious gear. While you can’t use a master key to unlock this device, each ski lock comes with 2 keys so you have a spare in case you lose a copy or forget it somewhere.
This ski lock is ultra compact and lightweight. It’s available in 5 bright colors and comes with a lifetime warranty to protect your investment.
Specs
- Type: rack lock
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
Pros
- 2 keys are included
- No wire means no cutting
- Available in 5 bright colors for easy spotting
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Must be used with compatible locking racks at ski resorts – some ski resorts don’t carry them
Allnice ET-152 Mini Portable Lock
5/5
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The Allnice ET-152 Mini Portable Ski and Snowboard Lock is another widely used safety solution among winter sports enthusiasts that to its adjustability and ease of use.
The Allnice ET-152 is a 2-part system. There’s a hook made out of durable zinc alloy that effectively resists corrosions, and there’s also a coiled metal wire reinforced with premium PVC plastic coating for a long-lasting service.
You can fit this lock right in your little pocket, but don’t let the seemingly small size fool you. The included 2mm-wide cable stretches up to 59 inches, allowing you to adjust the lock’s capacity according to the number of skis or snowboards you want to secure.
We love that the wire retracts on its own, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of coiling it yourself. Additionally, this lock is only 3.5 ounces, so it won’t weigh you down on your trip.
The Allnice ET-152 Ski/Snowboard Lock features a combination code of 3 digits that you can freely customize following a simple process. Besides black, there are no other colors. Also, the coil won’t put up much of a fight against wire cutters.
Specs
- Type: cable lock with combination
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
Pros
- High-quality construction materials
- The capacity is adjustable
- Recoils on itself
Lewis N. Clark Cable Lock
5/5
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The Lewis N. Clark Cable Lock maybe your basic padlock, but it offers outstanding security and convenience that sets it apart from the rest of the ski and snowboard locks on the market.
Built to last you a long time, this unit is known for its tough construction featuring thermoplastic rubber for a comfortable grip and ABS housing to resist wear and tear. As a classic cable lock, you simply need to wrap the cable around the bindings to effectively protect your precious gear from being stolen.
The Lewis N. Clark Cable Lock comes with a flexible 30-inch braided stainless steel cable that offers plenty of room to secure your gear. It utilizes a 3-digit code that’s also reprogrammable so you can easily reset it when necessary.
Available in blue, red, and green, the cable on this ski and snowboard lock automatically retracts to save you time and effort. Not to mention, the cable is coated to avoid scratching your equipment’s finish.
Specs
- Type: cable lock with combination
- Weight: 1.5 ounces
Pros
- Extremely lightweight to carry
- Thermoplastic rubber body for comfortable handling
- The cable is flexible for easy use
What are the Types of Ski and Snowboard Locks?
Ski and snowboard locks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and locking mechanisms. Generally speaking, ski and snowboard locks fall into 4 major categories:
Cable Locks
This is the most popular type of lock on the slopes nowadays because it’s easy to use and lightweight to carry around.
This lock works by wrapping the provided cable around your skis or snowboards, then connecting it back to the main section. In most cases, you’ll hear or feel a click to make sure everything is secured properly.
The body of a cable lock is either equipped with a number combination or a key mechanism for fastening and unlocking.
Tether Locks
Tether locks are the runner up when it comes to the popularity of use among winter sports enthusiasts.
This type of lock is usually more rugged and heavier than typical cable locks, which means they can give you extra protection. However, the additional weight takes away from their convenience because they may slow you down throughout the day.
To fasten a tether lock in place, you need to wrap the tether at one end around your skis or snowboard and then have the lock at the other end thread the tether. The final step is to secure the setup with a key or combination code.
Rack/Key Locks
Rack or key locks are fairly common to use in the USA, but they’re most popular in European mountains and resorts.
This type of lock is generally smaller than both of the previous ones, so it’s even more convenient to accompany you during the day. Their lightweight construction doesn’t sacrifice their reliability as they still offer an impressive level of security.
What’s the catch you ask? Well, rack locks are compatible only with a certain kind of racks that specifically supports their locking mechanism.
Such racks aren’t available in every resort, which makes limits their use to particular areas. Rack locks will secure your equipment in the rack via a pin. The only key to open the lock should be with you so no one else can take out your precious gear.
Wireless Locks
A newer type of ski and snowboard locks is the wireless lock. As you can probably tell from its names, a wireless lock doesn’t provide protection using a physical key or a cable like all the previous locks.
Instead, this lock works more or less like a car alarm. Once the built-in sensors detect a theft attempt, they trigger an integrated siren to effectively alert you and scare away the bad guy.
To install this lock, a small device is attached to each of your skis or snowboards either with a screw or some strong tape.
Wireless locks are controlled via corresponding apps that you download on your smart device. They’ll send a signal to your phone and trigger a loud noise in the event of a theft attempt.
How to Choose the Best Ski and Snowboard Lock?
When shopping for the best ski and snowboard locks, you need to consider the following features to ensure you make the right decision for your gear security requirements.
Strength and Durability
As a rule of thumb, you can tell how high the quality of a lock is by the level of durability it offers. Your lock should be sturdy enough to handle the force of a thief’s yanks, as well as hard enough to resist breaking, cutting, or unpinning.
Additionally, you want a lock that can withstand wet and cold environments without developing rust or corrosion. Otherwise, the mechanism of the lock may fail and put your precious gear at risk.
You can go for a material such as aluminum since it’s strong and never rust, making it reliable to use in locks’ construction. Likewise, steel is also quite durable and is widely utilized by different manufacturers.
Most ski and snowboard locks are built using such metal braids. The best ones are also coated with plastic or nylon or to protect the integrity of the lock against harsh weather conditions.
Capacity
Next on your list should be the required capacity you’re looking for the lock to accommodate. This will allow you to narrow down your choices according to your specific needs.
The capacity of a lock refers to the amount of equipment it can secure at a time. Obviously, the bigger the lock or the longer its cord, the more skis and snowboards it can simultaneously keep safe.
Once you determine the number of gear you’ll be fastening, be sure to check the specs of your chosen lock to see if it matches your capacity needs. The diameter of the lock and the length of the cable will help you figure out this aspect.
Ease of Use
One feature you don’t want to overlook in your ski and snowboard lock is the ease of use. Different types of locks operate via different mechanisms of locking, which means they don’t offer the same degree of usability.
Here, you should look for a balance between complexity and simplicity. The lock needs to be tricky to bypass, but not to the point that you can’t set it up on your own.
Not only is this necessary when you’re working a lock out in the cold, but it also saves you the frustration of having to take extra care when adjusting the wire around your gear. Once you secure the lock in place, you won’t be able to pull or retract the cable unless you unlock the whole unit again.
As a result, the lock should be simple yet reliable to use. If the lock has too much going on, it may cause you to stop using it altogether! After all, you don’t want to be on a fun trip and worry about how hard it is to lock and unlock your stuff.
Color
Most people are prone to using devices with bright colors rather than ones with neutral or dull colors. Manufacturers have recognized this long ago, and so, ski and snowboard locks are available in a range of fun colors to suit every taste.
However, a colorful lock doesn’t just look cool, but it also makes it easier for you to spot your gear amongst a sea of others’ equipment. Looking at the racks from afar, you can pinpoint and check on your gear a whole lot quicker if you choose a bright color.
On the contrary, imagine trying to identify your black or brown unit when it’s sitting next to several other locks that practically look the same. Pretty annoying, right?
Portability
Finally, you need to consider the portability of the lock. The best ski and snowboard locks are those that you can carry around without any hassle. Such locks are usually lightweight so you can easily bring it with you wherever you go.
While it’s true that the smaller the lock the higher its portability, you should keep in mind that a too light look is more prone to getting lost or misplaced.
Still, you don’t want a lock that’s too heavy to walk around with. The solution is finding a lock that’s right in the middle between both; lightweight enough for comfortable movement, but not too light that it’s downright flimsy.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best ski and snowboarding lock is important for keeping your gear safe.
The simplest and cheapest locks are your basic small cables with a number combination or key. However, more protective options like the Ski Key integrate with specific racks available at some resorts. Go with whatever gives you the most comfort with the least amount of hassle.
We like the Safeman Ski and Snowboard Cable Lock the best. It retracts into a super small, pocket fitting ball. You can keep the key on your normal car keys to reduce the chance of losing it, while keeping the spare that is provided in your car.
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