I hate carrying a lock on my bike but unfortunately if you live in a big city like London, if it isn't secured with anything having less than Sold Secure Gold rating then your bike will be quickly adopted or be stripped as if you were broken down in the monkey enclosure at Longleat Safari park.

But where to put your lock? I find most of the usual options for carrying a heavy lock cumbersome and annoying. I don't like the plastic bracket that hold the D-lock lump, they are ugly, it is like leaving a roof rack on your car when its not in use, plus I have more than one bike and only one lock. I could put it in a bag but then I am left with a bag when I am not with a bike and bags get sweaty on your back when riding. I could, heaven forbid, carry the lock swinging from the handlebars, along with my carrier bags full of cheap gin, Tsk.

Well, this natty polyester web strap from Glaswegian sewing wizards Trakke is a simple strap that can help solve this lock conundrum. The strap attaches to your belt with loops and runs along your waistband and enables you to slip your D-lock into the gap between the belt and the strap like a hammer loop but for your lock. Obviously you need a belt for this to happen so this isn't a solution if you are clad in lycra.

In use the D-lock fits snuggly in the holster and once you position it correctly just behind your hip is remarkable comfortable both when you are standing on the pedals and bent over your handlebars. The weight of the lock wasn't too much of an issue either and because it is separate from your belt, you can still keep your belt tight so your trousers don't fall down. This holster is similar to the Fabric Horse Lock Holster we reviewed a while back here /content/review/11378-fabric-horse-lock-holster but the finishing is better with a neat embroidered logo and a little metal D-ring to attach your keys to making the whole locking your bike up faff a lot swifter.

At first glance the price might seem a bit high for what is alfer all a strap, but I doubt you'll find many such useful products, handmade in Scotland by skilled adults for so little money.

Verdict

Simple, clever and well made solution to carrying your d-lock around town

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Trakke U-Lock holster

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Urban cyclists who don't want to carry their lock on their bike or in a bag. Beats hanging your lock off your handlebars.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Polyester Webbing

Metal D-Ring

Fits nearly all D-locks

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Hand made by skilled people

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

People with bony hips may find having a heavy lock attached to their waist uncomfortable. It works for me and works well.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

This will probably out last your belt

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

weighs less than a belt

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

if the holster peeks over the top of your trouser waistband it can be scratchy

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Hand made item with a quality finish this is

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It was comfortable to use and is very convenient plus it doesn't look goofy when the lock isn't in there

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It is simple and it works and makes your lock easily accessed

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

There were times when the strap poked over the waistband of my trousers and felt scratchy

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Trakke should make some cool belts to go with it

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 179  Weight: 79

I usually ride: Bike that I am testing at the time  My best bike is: Condor Pista fixed. Kinesis Convert 2 geared work horse, Look KG241 skinny whippet

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, bare back