Squire Padlocks Review: Which Series Is Right for Your Security Needs?

Consider what you’re protecting.

A shed containing garden tools won’t need the same level of security as a container holding valuable stock. Choose a padlock that reflects the value of the contents and the level of risk.

Check your insurance policy.

Many commercial policies specify a minimum CEN grade or Sold Secure rating. Even if a combination padlock is mechanically strong, it may not satisfy your insurer’s requirements without the relevant certification.

Match the shackle to the fitting.

A straight or open shackle works well with a hasp or gate loop. A closed-shackle padlock offers greater protection against cutting and leverage when the lock is exposed.

Choose between keys and codes.

Keys provide tighter control over access, particularly when paired with a restricted or patented key profile. A combination lock is convenient for shared access and removes the risk of losing a key, although you’ll need to manage who knows the code.

Restricted and Patented Key Profiles

The WS75 is available with either a restricted or fully patented key profile. Restricted keys are harder to copy because blanks aren’t widely available. The patented version offers tighter control, with duplicate keys only supplied with the owner’s authorisation.

Master Keying for Multi-Container Sites

The WS75 can also be supplied as part of a master keyed system. Each container keeps its own individual key, while one master key can open every padlock across the site.

This reduces the number of keys carried by managers without giving every user access to every container. Read the master key padlock system guide to compare master keyed and keyed alike arrangements.

The Squire CBW85 is the strongest combination padlock featured. It has an 85mm brass body, a boron-hardened steel shackle and a five-wheel mechanism offering 100,000 possible codes. It’s suited to securing roller shutters or heavy gates without the need to manage keys.

The Squire SHCB65/Chain includes a retaining chain, allowing the padlock to remain attached to a gate or building while unlocked. The standard SHCB65 uses the same 11mm boron-hardened shackle and four-wheel mechanism, but without the chain.

The CP60 has a five-wheel mechanism, compared with four wheels on the CP50. Both have a die-cast alloy body protected by a weather-resistant cover, making them suitable for sheds or garden gates. They can also be used on lockers where issuing keys isn’t practical.

For a busy outdoor gate, choose the Squire CBW85 if you want a five-wheel combination lock with a larger body. The Squire SHCB65/Chain is the better option when the padlock needs to remain tethered while the gate is open.

If your insurer requires a graded keyed padlock, consider the CEN 4-rated Squire WS75. Locks Direct’s guide to high-security garden padlocks explains what to look for when securing gates and other outdoor access points. Always check that the padlock’s dimensions suit the fitting before ordering.

Tougher security chains have played a part too. A single padlock alone won't stop a determined and well-equipped thief, so the padlock's job is really to be the weakest link's opposite: strong enough that an attacker moves on to an easier target instead. The WS75's boron alloy shackle and 250,000 key differs make it a sound option here, while the CBW85 suits anyone who'd rather set a combination than carry a key to the garage.

Independent testing bodies such as Sold Secure, which grew out of a joint scheme run by Northumbria and Essex Police in 1992 and is now operated by the Master Locksmiths Association, exist specifically to rate security products like padlocks and chains against real cutting and drilling attempts. Pairing a Squire padlock with a chain that carries a similar independent rating gives a more complete picture of how the whole setup performs, rather than relying on the padlock alone.

Each brand covers a different part of the outdoor security market. Squire has a wide weather-resistant range, including covered combination locks and the coated WS75.

Abus is a strong option for outdoor use, particularly its Diskus padlocks. The enclosed design leaves less of the shackle exposed to tools such as bolt cutters. Mul-T-Lock specialises in high-security cylinders and controlled key systems. It suits commercial sites where key control and pick resistance matter.

For affordable outdoor security, Tri Circle offers brass and stainless steel padlocks. Its range is closer to Squire’s Old English locks than the brand’s higher-rated models.

Locks Direct stocks the WS75 with standard or controlled keys. Master keyed versions are also available for sites with multiple containers.

Orders over £150 qualify for free next-day delivery when placed before 2pm. If the padlock’s unopened, it can be returned within 30 days under the returns policy. Bulk quotes are available for larger orders.