Features: 10mm Hardened Steel Chain – 14mm Hardened Steel Shackle – 1m Noose Locki
ng Design – Z Lock for Extra Security – Sold Secure Gold Rating
Pros:
- Can be worn or carried in a backpack.
- Noose locking design provides extra security.
- Plenty of length.
Cons:
- The chain lock can be quite heavy when worn.
The Design of the Hiplok DX
In terms of design, this is not something that we had seen before, so we were very intrigued to see how it performed. To start off with, the design of this one is very different in the way that it looks. It has a canvas covering over the 10mm hardened steel chain that we definitely weren’t expecting. We thought that this might compromise the security of the Hiplok DX, but this was definitely not the case.
One thing that we did like about the design of this lock is the noose locking mechanism. We’ll go into how this works later in the review, but it is a really nice feature. The 14mm steel shackle feels incredibly sturdy and it seemed very unlikely that anyone would be able to cut through it in order to steal the bike.
In terms of stylishness, this one isn’t all that interesting. However, what it lacks in design it certainly makes up for in other ways.
Using the Hiplok DX
Because we hadn’t seen a design like this before, we did find using the Hiplok DX a little tricky at first. This is because there are a number of ways that it needs to be used. First of all, we tried using it like a standard chain lock, which actually worked really well. However, then we realised that the noose locking mechanism hadn’t been used.
With the noose locking mechanism, you are able to really pull the chain tight before securing the lock. This makes removing the chain virtually impossible, and it is highly unlikely that anyone would be able to get any tools near enough to remove the lock itself. It certainly took us a few tries to get the hang of using this lock, but once we had used it a few times it was clear to see how much security it offers.
The Portability of the Hiplok DX
This is where we were 
actually quite impressed with this bike lock. First of all, it is important to remember that there are three different ways of carrying the Hiplok DX. You can either carry it in a backpack or attach it to your bike, or you can actually wear it on your hips. We tried all three ways to see which worked best.
First of all, we tried wearing the lock. In order to do this, you need to remove the D lock and use the rest of the lock to wear around your hips. Unfortunately, whilst this is a convenient option, we did find that it was a little too heavy, especially for longer journeys.
When mounted onto the bike itself, we didn’t encounter any problems at all, and when we tried carrying the lock in a backpack we didn’t notice any extra weight either. For shorter journeys, wearing the lock may be an option, but for longer journeys we would definitely recommend carrying it in another way.
Overall, we have to say that whilst there are some impressive features with the Hiplok DX, there are a few improvements that could be made. That being said, the noose locking mechanism alone makes it well worth considering.