I have used the Hiplok Z Lok Combo over a couple of weeks of cold, short-day riding, swapping it between a loaded commuter and a pared-back single speed. It is essentially a reusable zip tie with a steel core and a 3-digit combination at the hub, so it prioritises speed and portability over brute force security. Think cafe stops, bakery dashes, helmet locking, car-rack duty, and nipping into a shop, not leaving a bike overnight. Within that brief, it works very well.
Bottom Line
If you want a compact cinch that you will actually carry, the Hiplok Z Lok Combo earns its place. It is quick to deploy, tightens down like a cable tie so there is little slack for prying tools, and the reinforced steel core shrugs off casual attacks from knives or scissors. It has no Sold Secure rating and is not a substitute for a D-lock or chain in high-risk spots, but for low-risk, in-view stops, it is exactly the kind of friction lock that stops opportunists. The 3-digit combo is convenient if you hate keys, although the tiny dials are fiddly with cold or gloved fingers.
Design and Aesthetics
Hiplok has taken the humble zip tie and built a tougher, reusable version around a visible steel core. The strap is roughly a centimetre thick, with a slatted outer that hides the core until you catch it in the light. You get a quoted locking area of about 430 mm in diameter and a 50 cm strap length, which is enough for a wheel to a rack or rail, or for looping a helmet to a frame. The head houses the resettable combination and a chunky slider release. It looks neat on the bike, especially in black, but there are bright colour options if you prefer more of a deterrent look.
Flex is part of the appeal. Unlike rigid shackles, the strap snakes around odd shapes and tight fixtures, and because it cinches, you can pull it down to leave very little room for leverage. Everything feels better finished than a disposable tie, with a smooth feed and a positive, springy pop when you hit the release.
Security and Use Cases
There is no getting around the lack of Sold Secure certification, and that is by design. This is not built to defeat determined thieves with time and tools. What it does well is raise the bar against casual grabs in low-risk scenarios. The steel core prevents easy cutting with everyday blades, the tight cinch makes prying awkward, and the small locking diameter lets you get close to slim posts, so there is less wriggle room.
The most useful scenarios have been the quick stop at a cafe, locking a helmet to the bike, pinching a wheel to a rack, adding a secondary tether on a car rack, and closing soft bikepacking bags. Used like this, with the bike nearby and in sight, it is ideal. For stations, city centres, and long unattended periods, reach for a rated D-lock or chain.
Performance and Ergonomics
Operation is as simple as feeding the tail through the head and pulling until snug. The mechanism runs smoothly, and the release slider is grippy and easy to find by feel. In warm light, I could work it one-handed. Winter is less kind. Those three dials are tiny, and in dim light with numb fingers, it is easy to nudge one out of place while turning the next. Thin liners help, but if you ride in deep winter darkness, plan to use a head torch or phone light. Once set, scrambling the dials is quick, and the lock remembers your code unless you reset it.
The cinch strength is the standout. You can ratchet it down tight enough that a wheel or rail has almost no play. That closeness not only feels secure, it also reduces noise and scuffing while the bike is parked.
Portability and Mounting
Portability is where the Hiplok Z Lok Combo wins every day. It is compact enough for a jersey pocket, a bar bag slip pocket, or to live wrapped around a rack stay until needed. Because it weighs very little and takes almost no room, you stop debating whether to bring a lock at all. That alone means it gets used far more often than heavier options for short stops.
Value
At £16.45 currently, it sits in impulse-buy territory, and multi-packs make sense if you want one on each bike or an extra for helmet duty. You are not paying for certification; you are paying for convenience, speed, and a design you will actually carry. Pair it with a proper Sold Secure lock when risk and dwell time increase, and it becomes a smart part of a layered approach.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cinches tight like a zip tie, very fast to use
- Reinforced steel core resists casual cutting
- Combination mechanism, no key to carry
- Extremely portable, easy to stash on bike or on body
- Flexible strap fits awkward fixtures, useful beyond bikes
Cons
- No Sold Secure rating, not for high-risk or long unattended parking
- Tiny 3-digit dials are fiddly in cold and low light
- Strap length limits some fixtures; wheel plus frame to thick posts can be a stretch
Conclusion
The Hiplok Z Lok Combo is not a fortress; it is a friction lock you will carry everywhere. For cafe runs, quick errands, helmet security, car rack backup, and bag tethering, it is spot on. It tightens down cleanly, packs away unnoticed, and trades maximum security for maximum convenience. Use it within its limits, and it becomes one of those always-with-you tools that quietly make daily riding simpler.
