Scorpion EXO-Combat II
Reviewer: Jack Rydell
Overall:
- Safety: 4.2
- Comfort: 4.1
- Ventilation: 4
- Noise: 3.4
Pros:
- Distinctive tactical styling with removable mask
- ECE 22.06 certified
- Convertible — use with or without the front mask
- Internal sun visor
- Good build quality for the price
- Stands out from mainstream helmet designs
Cons:
- Not a true full-face — mask offers limited chin protection
- Loud at speed — urban-focused design
- Heavier than a conventional open-face
- Mask fit and seal not equivalent to a fixed chin bar
- Polycarbonate shell adds weight
The Scorpion EXO-Combat II is one of the more distinctive helmets on the market — a tactical-styled lid with a removable front mask that gives it an aggressive, unconventional appearance. It’s aimed at urban riders who want to stand out, and it occupies an unusual space between open-face and full-face. Understanding exactly what it offers — and what it doesn’t — is essential before buying.
The Concept and Styling
The EXO-Combat II’s defining feature is its removable front mask, which clips across the lower face to create the tactical look the helmet is known for. Removed, it functions as an open-face helmet; fitted, it takes on the aggressive military-inspired appearance. For urban riders who want a helmet unlike anything mainstream, the styling is genuinely distinctive and well-executed. Build quality is good for the price point.
Protection: An Important Distinction
This is the most important thing to understand about the EXO-Combat II: it is certified as an open-face (jet) helmet, not a full-face. The removable mask is a styling and wind-protection element — it does not provide the chin protection of a true full-face chin bar. The helmet carries ECE 22.06 certification for its open-face configuration, meaning it meets the standard for that category — but riders should not mistake the mask for full-face chin protection. If chin and lower-face protection is a priority, a true full-face is the correct choice.
Features
The EXO-Combat II includes an internal sun visor, a useful practical feature for the urban riding it’s designed for. The mask is removable and swappable, and the helmet can be run in different configurations depending on the look and the conditions. The interior is comfortable and the fit is consistent with Scorpion’s range.
Noise and Ventilation
As an open-face-derived design, the EXO-Combat II is loud at speed — the mask reduces wind blast somewhat compared to a bare open-face but doesn’t approach the noise isolation of a sealed full-face. This is fundamentally an urban helmet. Ventilation is adequate for city riding. For motorway use, the noise makes it tiring and earplugs are essential.
Comfort and Weight
The interior is comfortable for urban riding durations. The polycarbonate shell and the mask assembly make it heavier than a conventional open-face, though not dramatically so. The fit is consistent with Scorpion’s other helmets — check sizing against your head shape as with any helmet.
Verdict
The Scorpion EXO-Combat II is a distinctive urban helmet for riders who want the tactical aesthetic and the flexibility of a removable mask. It’s well-built, ECE 22.06 certified as an open-face, and includes useful features like the internal sun visor. The crucial caveat is protection: this is an open-face helmet with a styling mask, not a full-face — the mask does not provide chin-bar protection. For urban riders who understand and accept that trade-off in exchange for the distinctive look and open-face freedom, it delivers. Riders wanting full-face protection should look elsewhere.