Last update: 8/6/2025
The Vikings have essentially had the same helmet since 1961. But in that time, there have been variations:
- Horn: Two styles – classic (1961-2005) and modern (2006-present)
- Facemask: Four colors – grey (1961-79), white (1980-84), purple (1985-2012) and black (2013-present)
- Color: Dark purple (1961-2001), fade purple (2002-12), medium purple (2013-18) and light purple (2019-present).
The 2024 white alternate is a variation on this.
An interesting fact about the Vikings is they have the 2nd most factory styles with 13 different helmets, as do the Falcons and Bills. The Patriots have the most at 15, followed by the Lions at 14.
Row 2: 1980-84 (dark purple, classic horn, grey facemask), 1985-2001 (dark purple, classic horn, purple facemask)
Row 3: 2002-05 (fade purple, classic horn, purple facemask)
Row 4: 2006-12 (fade purple, modern horn, purple facemask), 2006-12 (medium purple, modern horn, black facemask)
Row 5: 2019-present (light purple, modern horn, black facemask), 2023-present white alternate
1961-79: Classic horn, dark purple helmet, grey facemask: Throwback Series 1, 2-bar, 2-bar 1969
1980-84: Classic horn, dark purple helmet, white facemask: Throwback Series 2
1985-2001: Classic horn, dark purple helmet, purple facemask: Traditional, Chrome
2002-05: Classic horn, fade purple helmet, purple facemask: Traditional, Chrome, Revolution
In 2002, the Vikings switched to a lighter purple color. Many sites reference a ‘fade’ in the helmet, from dark (back) to light (front). The Gridiron Uniform database references this fade. The pocket helmets, however, do not have this fade.
2006-12: Modern horn, fade purple helmet, purple facemask: Revolution
2013-18: Modern horn, medium puple helmet, black facemask: Revolution, Speed
2019-present: Modern horn, light purple helmet, black facemask: Speed
The Vikings changed the purple color of their helmet in 2019. The intent was to be more consistent with the uniform.
Interestingly, the Vikings wore their 1961-79 helmet as a throwback starting in 2023. This helmet, however, as the same light purple color as the modern helmet. The actual helmet was a dark helmet. The Vikings wore this darker helmet as a throwback in 2007-11.
2024-present white alternate
2023-present throwback
The Vikings wore the 1961-79 helmet as a throwback in 2007-11 and again in 2023 through the present. However, the the throwback the Vikings wore in 2023 is the same light purple color as the contemporary helmet, not the dark purple the Vikings actually wore in 1961-79.
Custom Vikings Pocket Helmet
Checklist
Last update: 3/3/24.
| Years | Color | Facemask | Logo | Stripes | Pocket helmets |
| 1961-1979 2007-11 throwback | Dark purple | Grey | Classic | None | Throwback Series 1 Throwback NFC 1969 2 bar Throwback 2-bar |
| 1980-84 | Dark purple | White | Classic | None | Throwback Series 2 |
| 1985-2001 | Dark purple | Purple | Classic | None | Traditional Chrome |
| 2002-05 | Fade purple | Purple | Classic | None | Traditional Chrome Revolution |
| 2006-12 | Fade purple | Purple | Modern | None | Revolution |
| 2013-18 | Medium purple | Black | Modern | None | Revolution Speed |
| 2019-present | Light purple | Black | Modern | None | Speed |
| 2023-present alternate throwback | Light purple | Grey | Classic | None | Speed – limited edition |
| 2024-present alternate | White | Silver | Modern off-white horn with purple outline | Silver-grey-silver stripes | Speed – limited edition |
Sources
- Gridiron Uniform Database, MN Vikings
- Helmet History.com, MN Vikings
- Paul Shea. (2019, August 12). Vikings Tweak Helmet Color for 2019 Season. Power 96.
Riddell NFL Pocket Pro Helmets 