Chargers

Row 1: 1960
Row 2: 1961-65/67-73
Row 3: 1966
Row 4: 1974-87
Row 5: 1988-2006
Row 6: 2007-19
Row 7: 2020

1960

There is conflicting information about the colors of the bolts in the 1960s. TruColor.net states the colors are black. The Chargers site references dark blue. It’s really difficult to tell by looking at the pocket helmets. I am going to go with dark blue and make it distinct from the lighter navy blue that came along later in the Chargers history.

The Chargers only wore this helmet in 1960. The bolt is dark blue with a yellow outline. For a long time, I assumed it was a very dark navy, but it’s actually black. Riddell did not make a factory version of this helmet. The helmet in the photos is a custom.

1961-65/67-73

In 1961, the Chargers adopted a yellow bolt with a dark blue outline. This style helmet was in the Throwback Series 2, AFL 50th Anniversary Throwback, and Throwback AFC 1969 2-bar set. The actual Charger helmets from this era had player numbers on the helmets. The Series 2 and AFL 50th Anniversary helmets do not have player numbers. I added the numbers to the helmets in the photos below.

This style helmet was worn by the Chargers as a throwback in some games in 2000, 2002-06, and 2009. However, according to the Chargers uniform history site, the outline and players numbers were navy blue, technically making it an alternate throwback.

In 1963, the Chargers helmet had an “All American City” decal on the front of the helmet. This was not officially made by Riddell. The photo below is a custom.

1966

The bolt on the 1966 helmet is navy blue. This one-season helmet (1966) is included in the Throwback Series 1 and Throwback 2-bar sets. Player numbers were included on the actual helmets, but not the pocket helmets. The helmet with the numbers in the photo below is a custom.

1974-87

The Chargers overhauled the helmet in 1974. The color was changed to navy blue. The bolt was changed to gold with a white and navy blue border. The facemask was also gold. Riddell did not manufacture a pocket pro for this era’s Chargers helmet. The photo below is a custom by Mr. Ramirez 44

1988-2006

In 1988, The chargers reversed the yellow and white in the bolt changed the facemask color to dark blue. This helmet was included in the traditional, revolution and chrome pocket pro sets.

The speed helmet in the back row is a throwback alternate from 2025. Riddell manufactured it as part of the limited edition series. More about this helmet below.

2007-19 Era

2007-2018

In 2007, the Chargers changed to a metallic white helmet. This helmet had a gold bolt with a powder blue and navy blue outline. The helmet had a navy blue facemask. This pocket helmet is in the revolution and speed styles. The bolts on these helmets are straight and look funny, but that’s how they were made.

2019

In 2019, the Chargers changed their primary helmet facemask to gold. The gold bolt with the powder blue and navy blue outline stayed the same. This factory helmet is in the speed style.

2016-19 alternate

The 2016-19 alternate metallic white helmet had a gold bolt with a navy blue outline. The facemask was gold. There is no factory helmet for this style. It was worn for one game each season 2016 through 2019. I purchased the 2016-19 alternate eBay from travistomark, who does really nice work.

Oddly, the Chargers wore their 2007-18 helmet for one game in 2019, meaning they wore three different styles in 2019.

2020-present

In 2020, the Chargers primary was a white helmet that had a gold bolt with a powder blue outline. The numbers on the helmet were also powder blue. The facemask was gold.

The chargers also wore two alternates. I have the 2020 helmets in a table below, along with the number of games worn in each season. By 2025, it appears the 2020 alternates are out.

YearPrimary:
Gold bolt
Powder blue outline
Gold facemask		Alternate:
Gold bolt
Royal blue outline
Gold facemask		Alternate:
Navy blue bolt
Gold outline
Navy blue facemask
20201312
20211511
20221511
20231511
20241601
20251400

The helmet in the first row in the photos below is the factory helmet. The other helmets are customs.

2025 alternate throwback

In 2025, the Chargers introduced an alternate throwback. It’s a homage to the 1988-2006 helmet. However, the Chargers added numbers in 2025, making it an alternate throwback.

Checklist

Last update: 12/10/25

YearsColorFacemaskLogoPocket helmet
1960WhiteGreyDark blue bolt with yellow outline

Dark blue player number with yellow outline		None
1961-73

2000, 2002-06 & 2009 throwback		WhiteGreyYellow bolt with Dark blue outline

Dark blue player number

All-American city decal on front of helmet in 1963

Traditional style factory helmets do not have player #s		Throwback AFC 1969 2-bar

Throwback Series 2

Throwback AFL 50th Anniversary
1966WhiteGreyNavy boltThrowback 2-bar

Throwback Series 1 
1974-87Navy blueGoldGold bolt with white and blue outlineNone
1988-2006Navy blueNavy blueWhite bolt with yellow and navy blue outlineTraditional

Chrome

Revolution
2007-2018Metallic whiteBlueGold bolt with powder blue and navy blue outline

Worn for one game in 2019 as an alternate		Revolution

Speed
2019Metallic whiteGoldGold bolt with powder blue and navy blue outlineSpeed
2016-19 alternateMetallic whiteGoldGold bolt with navy blue outlineNone
2020-presentWhiteGoldGold bolt with powder blue outline

Powder blue player #

There is no player # on helmet on the factory pocket helmet		Speed
2020-23 alternateWhiteGoldGold bolt with dark royal blue outline

Royal blue player #		None
2020-24 alternateWhiteNavy blueNavy blue bolt with yellow outline

Navy blue player #		None
2025 alternate throwbackNavy blueNavy blueWhite bolt with yellow and navy blue outline

There is no player # on helmet on the factory pocket helmet		Speed – limited edition series

References