The Best Grateful Dead Merch and Gifts for Every Kind of Deadhead
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Deadheads are nothing if not dedicated. The legendary jam band and recently-minted Kennedy Center honorees have enjoyed decades of fandom that few bands rival. And just like their decades of musical output, the Grateful Dead are unbeaten when it comes to merch. From the Stealie skull logo to Bertha to the dancing bears, the Grateful Dead have enough iconic images for three separate bands.
Deadheads are spoiled for choice when it comes to gifts and merch — the band’s designs are frequently licensed to designers and retailers, including everything from salt shakers to shoes (and of course, ice cream).
We rounded up the best Grateful Dead merch and gifts, from officially licensed apparel emblazoned with the Stealie (a.k.a. the Dead’s iconic skull and lightning bolt logo) to books, blankets, and more. These options would make great gifts, and if you are a die-hard Deadhead, consider picking up one of these pieces for yourself.
Knockaround Grateful Dead Roses
Knockaround’s affordable sunglasses have a decidedly easy-going vibe, and their new collaboration with Grateful Dead includes everything from prescription frames with dancing bears to ski goggles featuring Stealie. The Fort Knocks are a familiar Wayfarer style frame, and feature roses and dancing skeletons, with a matching soft sleeve and storage box.
Phil Lesh — ‘Searching For The Sound’
The passing of Phil Lesh last year was a monumental loss for Grateful Dead fans, and while his legacy lives on in the music, he also committed his story to a bestselling memoir, Searching for the Sound. Originally published in 2006, the book makes a great gift for any fan of the Dead in your life. The book is also available on Audible, with narration by Lesh.
Huckberry x Grateful Dead Steal Your Face T-Shirt
Huckberry’s collaboration with the Grateful Dead includes staples like t-shirts and sweatshirts, including hand-stitched designs, as well as trucker hats that riff on Huckberry’s tree logo and the Grateful Dead’s Stealie iconography. The shirt features a small logo on the chest and a large print on the back.
‘Dead Style’ by Mordechai Rubenstein
Deadhead style goes designer in this photo-rich book penned by GQ fashion expert Mordechai Rubenstein, who examines Grateful Dead’s influence in the worlds of streetwear and luxury fashion. At a time when tie-dye has been sent down the runways by the likes of Balenciaga, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Off-White, Saint Laurent, and others, this book showcases wardrobe inspiration for the next generation of the jam band’s stylish superfans.
Grateful Dead ‘Dead Set’ Vinyl
The Dead are known for their legendary live performances, so a live album is a good gift to buy (as long as they don’t already have it). Dead Set, originally released in 1981, got a Barnes & Noble-exclusive pressing on “Orange Crush” vinyl.
Grateful Dead x Slowtide Beach Towel
Slowtide, a premium towel brand, has an entire collection centered around the Grateful Dead, featuring beach and kitchen towels with iconography like Bertha, the dancing bears, and Stealie. The beach towels are made from 100% Oeko-Tex standard cotton and feature a handy hanging loop.
Section 119 Super Heavyweight Hoodie
Section 119 is a hub for officially licensed Grateful Dead merch, offering everything from vests to bathrobes, but it’s hard to go wrong with a classic tie-dye hoodie featuring Stealie. The hoodie features a kangaroo pocket and is made from 100% cotton.
Grateful Dead x Gabriela Hearst Knit Sweater
Designer Gabriela Hearst teamed up with the Grateful Dead on a unique collection inspired by the brand’s deep catalog of visuals. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Hearst explained her desire to go deep into the Dead’s catalog for inspiration. “We played around at the beginning with the skulls and the things that you would recognize, but I thought it was interesting not to be so obvious… It was really, really fun to do because it’s a new take on what you would expect.”
Grateful Dead x Hedley & Bennett Apron
Whether you’re buying a gift for the grilling pro in your family or want to upgrade your kitchen accessories, Hedley & Bennett’s apron collaboration with the Grateful Dead is a must-have for any Deadhead. The premium apron line is an officially licensed collaboration and come with a variety of designs, from the dancing bear pattern to a minimal denim style, complete with tie-dye pockets.
Urban Outfitters Grateful Dead Bear Icon Crew Sock
Socks are an easy gift for anyone on your list, and these soft socks are made from a blend of cotton and elastane. They’re available in purple or tan and feature flowers and the dancing bear icon.
Grateful Dead x Blazy Susan Metal Rolling Tray
Unsurprisingly, there’s tons of great Grateful Dead merch on Etsy. Seller Blazy Susan has a large selection of premium smoking accessories like papers, trays, and cones. This rolling tray features a Stealie logo, and other designs include Bertha and the dancing bears.
Ben Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream
What better way to sweeten any Deadhead’s day than with Ben & Jerry’s most famous flavor? It’s infused with cherries and fudge flakes and made with fair-trade, non-GMO, and cage-free ingredients.