Padlocks

Abus Granit 37/80

Padlocks are portable locking devices commonly used on school and gym lockers, toolboxes, gates, sheds, storage lockers, and in combination with a chain or cable to secure bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. No doubt you can think of many other uses for padlocks, as well.  When choosing a padlock there are several things to look for to ensure you are getting the best security for your money.

Choose a padlock that has a:

• Heavy solid steel or laminated steel body.  Generally speaking larger, heavier padlocks are more resistant to force than smaller, lighter padlocks.  
• Hardened molybdenum or boron alloy shackle with a diameter of at least 9mm.  Use a closed (shrouded) shackle if your application will allow it.  This adds resistance to bolt-cutter and hacksaw attacks.    
• Pick resistant keyway, with a minimum of six pins in a pin/cylinder lock.  Most padlocks are easily picked open.  More pins, and pick-resistant keyways help mitigate this weakness.
• Dual ball bearing locking system.  This resists shimming attacks.
• Anti-drill plate protecting the keyway.

All else being equal, combination padlocks are less secure than padlocks that are opened with keys.  Most combination padlocks can be manipulated and opened without knowing the combination, just as most keyed padlocks locks can be picked.  It is however easier to find keyed padlocks that are resistant to picking than it is to find combination padlocks that are resistant to manipulation.
Some high security padlocks, such as the Abloy PL362, Abus Granit 37/80, or the Medeco Protector II (each of which I recommend)provide excellent security, however each of these padlocks costs over 5000 rubles, which may be more than you want to spend for a general use padlock.
 
For general, lower security, use (say on a gym or school locker), in a padlock costing around 1200 rubles, I recommend the Stanley 24/7 padlock for a keyed lock and the Master 2002 padlock for a combination lock (avoid the Master 1500 series padlocks).  The Stanley 24/7 and the Master 2002 padlocks each provide good security at a reasonable price for general daily use.