The Best Grateful Dead Merch and Gifts for Every Kind of Deadhead

By Jonathan Zavaleta

Jonathan Zavaleta

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Deadheads are nothing if not dedicated. The legendary jam band and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers 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). But not all merch is created equal — some brands cash in on the band’s iconography, while others feel more deeply rooted. There are plenty of cool tie-dye shirts, sure, but there are also books that offer deep dives on unseen parts of the Dead’s history, vinyl from classic live performances, and miscellaneous trinkets that tie it all together.

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.

The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall

$46.60

Jim Marshall is one of the most storied music photographers, snapping iconic images like Hendrix’s guitar on fire to Johnny Cash’s outstretched middle finger. This book compiles photos from Marshall’s archive, including some never-before-seen images.

Dead in the Kitchen: The Official Grateful Dead Cookbook

$32.62

This officially-authorized cookbook is chock full of vegetarian recipes. Rolling Stone put it to the test, finding the buffalo tofu “incredibly tasty.”

Slowtide x Grateful Dead

$22.00

Slowtide has released a number of beach towels inspired by the Dead, and the brand’s latest collection brings the inspiration indoors for a series of quick-dry kitchen towels. The brand also makes a packable picnic blanket featuring the Stealie logo and a beach blanket.

Upper Deck Grateful Dead 60 Years So Far Trading Cards Box

$59.99

Upper Deck’s unique Grateful Dead collaboration is the ideal gift for collectors. The collection, specifically made to mark the Dead’s 60th anniversary last year, features cards inspired by moments from the band’s history, with rarities mixed in. 

NBA x Grateful Dead x Knicks Skull

$40.00

T-shirt brand Homage collaborated with the NBA, NFL, and MLB on a line of Grateful Dead-inspired t-shirts, including this throwback Knicks tee.

MLS San Jose Jersey

$159.99

San Jose’s Major League Soccer team, the Earthquakes, paid tribute to hometown heroes the Dead with a tie-dye jersey. The kit, the team’s secondary home jersey, features a swirling purple and blue pattern. Other flourishes include a Stealie logo at the hem and the Grateful Dead’s wordmark logo on the back of the neck.

Verve Coffee Grateful Dead Morning Brew

$24.00

Like the Grateful Dead, Verve Coffee hails from Northern California, and they teamed up with the band on this organic whole bean Ethiopian coffee.

Blues For Allah 50th Anniversary

$24.98

The Grateful Dead’s experimental Blues For Allah got a 50th anniversary release last year, including an Amazon-exclusive edition pressed on green vinyl.

Grateful Ducks

$110.00

The Dead may hail from Northern California, but they also have a special history with the University of Oregon, having played a series of shows in 1990 at Autzen Stadium. The collection features the Dead’s Stealie logo, reimagined as a duck skull, with a trippy take on the Nike Swoosh in the middle. Grateful Ducks may be a clunky play on words, but the collection is certainly a stylish one.

Section 119 Dancing Bear Sterling Silver Spinner

$195.00

Section 119 is a go-to for fans of the Dead and Phish, and this sterling silver ring is a stylish take on the Dancing Bears iconography.

Grateful Dead SYF Roses Basketball T-Shirt

$25.99

Love basketball and the Dead? This t-shirt combines the classic Stealie logo with a basketball design and Lakers-inspired lettering. It was designed as part of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Dogfish Head x Grateful Dead Square Bar Mat

$20.00

Dogfish Head has been collaborating with the Grateful Dead for years, releasing everything from apparel to bar mats. The latest collection, timed to coincide with Record Store Day, features can coolers, tapestries, and pint glasses.

Grateful Dead Riverfront Coliseum

$28.80 $34.00 15% off

Whether or not you were at the show, Homage’s Grateful Dead t-shirt commemorates the April 8, 1989, Cincinnati show and has a worn, lived-in design.

Grateful Dead Baseball Bears Sweatshirt

$39.99

The Grateful Dead and baseball are a winning combination, and this sweatshirt combines the Stealie and Dancing Bears logo with a baseball in the middle.

Retrospec x Grateful Dead Beach Cruiser

$319.99

If you’re looking to rep the Dead while you roll, Retrospec teamed up with the Grateful Dead on a beach cruiser. It’s a single-speed bike, so it’s ideal for a slow ramble on Rose.

Phil Lesh — ‘Searching For The Sound’

$11.99 $19.99 40% off

While Phil Lesh’s monumental 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 the late Grateful Dead bassist.

Knockaround Grateful Dead Roses

$27.00 $45.00 40% off

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.

Grateful Dead 60 Years So Far T-Shirt

$30.00

If you’re looking for a shirt that specifically commemorates the band’s 60th, this washed gray t-shirt features the band’s wordmark and “60 Years So Far,” as well as the number 60 on the back.

‘Dead Style’ by Mordechai Rubenstein

$17.95 $24.99 28% off

Deadhead style goes designer in this photo-rich book penned by menswear 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

$46.99

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 Hedley & Bennett Apron

$95.20 $119.00 20% off

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.

Grateful Dead x Blazy Susan Metal Rolling Tray

$14.99

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

$5.39

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.