Is a lock necessary?

[ilovelife]

Would you say that it is necessary to bring a combination lock in order to lock stuff up in lockers?
Is it a wotrthless item to bring? Not sure if there are lockers at the albergues or if there are enough albergues with lockers to warrant bringing a lock.
Any feedback on this?
Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In the few places where there are lockers, you do not need a lock. It will just be extra weight.

 

[ilovelife]

Thanks Falcon.

 

[Kanga]

Don't bother. Lockers are few and far between.

 

[Travellingman]

And some lockers just require a coin payment to use....
Edit: if I remember, At Roncevalles, and Seminario Menor in SdC....

 

[mspath]

By locking up your bag outside a locker it announces to those passing by that you have something of value inside the bag. Be discreet, avoid attention, and NEVER advertise what you might have!

Margaret Meredith

 

[Kathy F.]

I agree with the rest.
I only stayed at three albergues that had lockers you could lock. None of the others had lockers. You simply have to keep a close eye on your stuff. I took all my valuables into the showers with me (bulky, yes, but you gotta do what ya gotta do).
When I wandered around town, I took my valuables in a small string daypack. When I had to charge my electronics, I committed to hanging around and keeping an eye on them for the duration.
I had no intention of letting my own negligence cause avoidable stress.
If you've ever had anything stolen from you, you know what I mean.
Save the weight.

 

[jmcarp]

Not sure if your backpack has a provision for a lock, but if it does, you might take a look at this: http://www.rei.com/product/812374/rei-double-cable-lock. Use one loop to lock the backpack, and the other to attach it to a bedpost. If I had used this in Santiago, perhaps my backpack would not have been stolen -- but that's another story (it did have a happy ending, however).