Scott Symbol 2 Plus D Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Comfortable, warm, well vented, great hearing ability, easy to adjust
Cons: Runs a bit small, heavier than most
Manufacturer: Scott
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Scott Symbol 2 Plus D | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $149.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $243.99 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $99.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $159.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Comfortable, warm, well vented, great hearing ability, easy to adjust | Comfortable, warm, vents well, style points, compatible with most goggles | Protective features, lightweight, adjustable ventilation, versatile | Affordable, adjustable vents, MIPS, adjustable dial | Super lightweight, immense venting, backcountry-specific features |
| Cons | Runs a bit small, heavier than most | Pricey | Earpads are challenging to remove, dial hard to use with gloves, style | Heavy, larger profile | Round fit not for every head, vents can't be closed or plugged |
| Bottom Line | Revolutionary helmet that takes safety and style to the next level | Deemed best of the best by our testers, there isn't a better combination of performance available from any model we have tested | Equally at home on the skin track as the resort, we reached for this friendly-priced helmet frequently on ski tours | Equipped with MIPS, adjustable vents, and an adjustable dial, this model has high-end features and strong performance at a stellar price | A great helmet that caters to the skimo and backcountry skiing crowd |
| Rating Categories | Scott Symbol 2 Plus D | Smith Vantage MIPS | Smith Mission MIPS | Giro Ratio MIPS | Salomon MTN Lab |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Ventilation (20%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Goggle Compatibility (10%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Scott Symbol 2 Plus D | Smith Vantage MIPS | Smith Mission MIPS | Giro Ratio MIPS | Salomon MTN Lab |
| Measured Weight (in ounces) | 19.8 oz | 17.7 oz | 16.9 oz | 21.7 oz | 12.7 oz |
| Adjustment System | RAS 2 system | Boa Fit System | Adjustable Dial Fit System | In form dial | Custom dial adjustment system |
| # of Vents? | 44 | 20 | 18 | 10 | 20 |
| Number of Sizes | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Removable Ear Covers? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (whole liner comes out and can be replaced with ear-less version) |
| Goggle Attachment? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visor? | No | No | No | No | Yes (brim) |
| Audio Compatibility? | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Certifications | EN1077:2007, Class B, EN12492:2012 | ASTM F 2040, CE EN 1077 Class B | ASTM F 2040, CE EN 1077:2007 CLASS B | CE EN 1077 | CE-EN1077 / ASTM F-2040, CE-EN 12492 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Fit and Comfort
The Symbol 2 Plus D is an incredibly comfortable helmet. With its RAS 2 Fit System, this helmet makes sure your head is snug as a glove. When you put this helmet on, it is noticeably more narrow compared to others. Despite running a bit small, your head feels completely secure with no pressure points. The dial adjuster is simple and easy to adjust on the fly. The earpads fit well with no noticeable hot spots.
Another great aspect of this helmet is the large, flat fleece-lined chinstrap. Sometimes the chinstrap is an overlooked feature, but the Symbol 2 Plus D goes the extra mile to make it soft and enjoyable to wear. This helmet also comes in 3 sizes, all of which are adjustable (by simply twisting a dial at the back of the helmet, like many helmets on today's market), so you shouldn't have an issue finding the right size for your dome.
Warmth
This helmet provides serious warmth even on the coldest of days thanks to tons of padding and the fleece-lined ear pads. With a snug fit, the helmet padding fits directly to your head, which gives the Symbol 2 Plus D a very high warmth rating, The earpads also help to keep the heat in while still being able to hear well thanks to new technology, 360-degree Pure Sound.
Ventilation
The Symbol 2 Plus D takes a positive new twist on ventilation design. On the sides and rear of the helmet, there are six fixed open vents to keep you from overheating. On top of the helmet, the front vent slide adjuster opens two vents in the front that can be opened or closed to allow air in and keep goggles from fogging up. This adjuster also controls the first 12 mini vents on top. The rear adjuster operates the rest of the mini vents on top to give several different effective options for venting. This level of customizable ventilation is pretty cool.
Weight and Bulk
Coming in at a moderate weight, the Symbol 2 Plus D strives to take on any skiing you would like to do. Although this helmet is more geared towards resort and freeride skiing, as it is not designated as a light backcountry ski helmet, it can definitely do the job.
Goggle Compatibility
As with other brands, if you purchase one of Scott's helmets, their goggles pair excellently. In general, when you mix goggles and helmets from different brands, there is a chance they won't be compatible. However, most of the goggles we tested worked well with the Symbol 2 Plus D. Goggles that were tested with this helmet included Scott, Smith, and Abom. The rear goggle strap a durable thick rubber material that is easy to open and secure.
Style
The Symbol 2 Plus D stays up with the competition by integrating a low profile design. This low profile design mixed with the placement of the vents gives this helmet a fresh look. The earpads are thin and professionally crafted, which adds to the sleek look of this helmet.
Value
For the highly engineered Symbol 2 Plus D, the price of this helmet is excellent for the features it comes with. If you're in the market for helmet that offers the most protection at a reasonable price, look no more. With MIPS, D3O inserts, and 360-degree Pure Sound, this is one of the most tech-laden helmets on the market.
Conclusion
The Symbol 2 Plus D is an exceptionally comfortable helmet that protects all types of riders when they need it most. This product is great for anybody wanting an easy to use a helmet with top of the line safety tech and great style.
— Alex Bogner
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