Luggage Locks & Straps For Safer, More Identifiable Bags
Luggage locks and straps are two of the cheapest things you can buy for travel, and two of the most useful. A lock keeps your case closed and deters opportunistic tampering, while a bright strap means you can spot your suitcase from the other side of the carousel instead of squinting at every black spinner that goes past.
This collection brings both together from Go Travel, a brand built specifically around practical, no-fuss travel security, and one the team recommends often to customers who've just bought a new case and want to protect it properly from day one.
Why A TSA-Approved Lock Matters For US Travel
If you're flying to or through the United States, a TSA-approved combination lock isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the only kind of lock that lets US Transportation Security Administration officers open and re-lock your case using a master key if they need to inspect it. A standard lock without that mechanism gets cut off, not carefully opened, if your bag is selected for a search, which means you land without a working lock on your case for the rest of the trip.
The Go Travel combination locks in this collection include both cable and classic padlock styles, so you can pick whichever fits your case's zip pulls or lock loops best. Combination locks also mean there's no physical key to lose in an airport, which is one less thing to worry about on travel day.
It's also worth thinking about where you're storing the combination itself. A surprising number of travellers set a lock, forget the code somewhere, and end up needing to cut it off anyway, which rather defeats the purpose. Keeping the combination saved somewhere other than a note taped to the case, a phone note works fine, avoids that particular problem.
What's In This Collection
Alongside the locks, you'll find luggage straps designed to do two jobs at once: keep your case securely closed during handling, and make it instantly recognisable when it comes round the carousel. A few of the most useful pieces here:
- TSA Alert Key Lock: A combination lock with the TSA-approved mechanism built in, so it's compliant for US travel without you needing to remember a separate key.
- Combi Cable Twin Locks: A pair of cable locks, handy if you're travelling with more than one bag or want a spare in your carry-on.
- Large Classic Combi Lock: A more traditional padlock style for travellers who prefer a shackle lock over a cable.
- Classic Tags: Simple, sturdy luggage tags that make ownership obvious before you even get to the strap or lock.
Locks Versus Built-In Security
If you'd rather not add a separate lock at all, it's worth looking at suitcases that come with TSA-approved locks built into the case itself. We stock a dedicated range of these in our TSA approved luggage collection, spanning Samsonite, Tumi, and Briggs & Riley. For a lot of frequent travellers, a mix of both, a built-in lock on the case and a spare padlock in the wash bag or a second bag, covers every situation without adding much bulk.
There's no real downside to doubling up either. A built-in lock deals with the main compartment, while a smaller padlock on a second bag, a wash bag, or a laptop sleeve means everything you're carrying has the same level of security rather than just the one case everyone assumes is the only thing worth locking.
None of this needs to be complicated or expensive. A single lock and strap combination from this collection covers most travellers' needs comfortably, and it's the kind of small purchase that's easy to forget about until you're already at the airport wishing you'd sorted it the week before.
The team's simplest recommendation is to buy a lock and a strap at the same time as a new suitcase, rather than treating them as an afterthought a few weeks later. It's a habit that takes seconds to build and saves a genuine amount of hassle over the life of the case.
Beyond Locks And Straps
Go Travel's range extends well past security accessories, into adapters, travel pillows, and electronics. If you're already restocking your travel kit, it's worth browsing the full Go Travel accessories range while you're here, or head to our wider packing accessories collection for cubes, compression bags, and other organisation essentials that pair naturally with a locked, strapped case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TSA-approved lock if I'm not flying to the US?
Not necessarily, though it doesn't hurt to have one. Outside the US, a standard combination or key padlock will do the job, but a TSA lock means you're covered if your travel plans ever include an American connection.
Will a luggage strap stop my case from being opened?
A strap is mainly there to keep a case closed if a zip fails during handling, and to make your bag easier to spot, rather than to act as a security device on its own. Pair it with a lock for the security side.
What's the difference between the cable and padlock styles here?
Cable locks tend to be more flexible for looping through zip pulls at odd angles, while the classic combi padlock gives a sturdier, more traditional shackle lock. Both are combination-based, so there's no key to lose.
