Scott Symbol 2 Plus D Mips Review

The Scott Symbol 2 Plus D is our favorite helmet because of impressive impact testing results, superior warmth, comfort, and other useful features. In the following sections, we'll detail our test findings and share how the Symbol 2 stacks up versus competing products.

Performance Comparison

Impact Test

All ski helmets must meet basic minimum regulatory standards for downhill skiing certification, but the level of protection they offer can vary significantly. To evaluate the impact performance of ski helmets, we partnered with ACT Lab, an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited impact testing lab. ACT conducted two impact tests using a brand-new helmet and dummy head outfitted with various sensors.

The laboratory tests allowed us to measure each helmet's ability to absorb impact forces, as measured by accelerometer force sensors in the test dummy head. The first of two impact tests dropped the helmet from 1 meter to simulate common smaller “slow” impact falls. The second test was from 2.3 meters to simulate higher forces associated with faster collisions, terrain park impacts, or high-speed falls. The Scott Symbol 2 earned top marks for the degree of protection it offered.

The Symbol 2 exceeded our expectations, as its impact testing performance delivered the best results of all the helmets we tested.

Scott claims their proprietary D30 shock-absorbing material is flexible and soft when you're not applying any force to it, but “on impact, the molecules lock together to spread impact energy and reduce transmitted impact force to the brain.” While we can't verify the specific role of D30 in impact test performance, the Symbol 2 delivered impressive impact test results.

Comfort

Nothing is better than forgetting you're even wearing a helmet while riding your favorite lines around the resort. We rode around the ski resort and gave the helmet to different head shapes to evaluate the overall comfort of each helmet. The Symbol Plus 2 is a standout pick for comfort as we could easily forget about it.

The Symbol Plus 2 helmet is exceptionally comfortable, rivaling top-rated competitors. The shell fits a round oval head shape the best, but the RAS 2 Fit System ensures a snug, secure fit that adapts to various head shapes without any pressure points. The helmet's user-friendly dial adjuster allows quick and easy adjustments, even when wearing gloves. The 360 Pure Sound are well-designed earpads that offer a comfortable fit without causing any discomfort, especially with earbuds. Their contoured design helps sound travel to the ear, which helped our test team stay aware of our surroundings on the slopes.

The wide, fleece-lined chinstrap is a standout feature – an often overlooked but crucial element. The Symbol 2 Plus D's soft, comfortable chinstrap significantly enhances the overall wearing experience, especially during long days on the slopes.

The in-mold construction provides a comfortable, low-profile lid that is easy to forget about while riding. We didn't experience any helmet movement or feel an excess of weight. The ride quality from this model was very high and exactly what expert riders demand, and anyone would appreciate.

Warmth

The warmth of a helmet helps avoid the need to wear a big bulky beanie underneath and increases your chances of developing a headache. We conducted thorough testing of each model by using them while skiing at the resorts and cycling with each helmet to determine the temperature where the thin skull cap was needed and how many drafts we noticed. Additionally, we walked upstairs to assess which helmet heated up the fastest. The Scott Symbol 2 Plus D is one of the warmest helmets we have tested due to its smaller vent structure and warm and warmer liner that utilizes fleece.

The Symbol 2 has a concentrated ventilation zone, allowing it to retain heat better. These smaller vents also offer dual zone adjustability so that you can open them all, just the front and back, to trap in or release more or less heat. We found the action of the toggles to be relatively smooth but have more resistance than some other models within the review. Fortunately, you can still operate them with the helmet on your head and gloves, but sometimes, it may take more force, especially with the front vents.

The fleece lining on the earpads and a harness adjustment system add warmth and a nice next-to-skin feel. This helmet was one of the fastest to build up heat in our stair test with fully closed vents. The fit from the earpads helps keep this helmet very warm, as the snug fit prevents any drafts from sneaking in, which happened to a few competitors.

We could ride without a skull cap in below-freezing temperatures, and this helmet is well-suited for riders in cold or stormy climates.

Ventilation

The ventilation systems of helmets have received incredible improvements over the last ten years to provide strategic and customizable air. We rode each helmet on warm spring days, hiked uphill, and rode our bikes to evaluate the ventilation system. The Symbol 2 offers solid customizable ventilation that is plenty for most riders.

The Symbol 2 features six fixed open vents strategically placed on the sides and rear, ensuring consistent airflow to prevent overheating. Additionally, the helmet has a front vent slide adjuster at the top, which controls two front intake vents and six small vents. The second adjuster manages the back 31 mini vents on the helmet for more adjustability. The second adjuster controls the 31 mini vents on the helmet's top, allowing for precise airflow management. This high level of customizable ventilation is a standout feature and provides effective ventilation that doesn't fall short on spring days.

The strategic venting system relies on airflow to move large amounts of heat but has proved less effective when sitting still. It retained heat after our stair test longer than most helmets in the review. Fortunity skiing and snowboarding are high-velocity sports with plenty of airflow.

The earpads are the most time-consuming to remove compared to other components and not likely something we would do on the chairlift and stuff in our pockets, but we are happy to do it at the start of the day or after we have settled into spring riding. The earpads are well-designed as they are well-ventilated and comfy without being drafty.

Usability

Like most items, a ski helmet's features can make or break the user experience. While riding in and wearing the helmet, we fiddled with all the features to see how they impacted our experience. The Symbol 2 has a nice feature set and provides a user-friendly and enjoyable experience on the mountain. If it had a magnetic buckle, some testers say it would be the perfect helmet for them.

The features of this helmet are generally great. The RAS 2 Fit System is easy to use and offers plenty of range. The 360 Pure Sound is one of our favorite features as it improves the comfort with headphones, and even if you don't wear them, your awareness is significantly improved because of your ability to hear. The adjustable vents add to the experience to create more adjustable climate control. The two things that would improve the experience would be a slightly easier way to remove the ear pads and use a magnetic buckle.

Should You Buy the Scott Symbol 2 Plus D?

If you're looking for a helmet you can forget about but rely on that has all the bells and whistles, then this model is for you. It delivers top impact testing performance, is incredibly comfortable, and is full featured. If it fits your budget, we think you find it is worth your hard-earned dollars.

What Other Ski Helmet Should You Consider?

If the steep price tag is a hurdle for you, consider the Pret Cynic X2 as its design focuses on the user experience and ride quality but foregoes a few bells and whistles to come in at a more moderate price point.