Take A ‘Long Strange Trip’ Into the Great Outdoors With Retrospec’s New Grateful Dead Collection
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Welcome to Bear Country, because the great outdoors just got a whole lot more fun — and and thrilling — for fans of the Grateful Dead. Retrospec, a Southern California-based brand that produces bikes and other active outdoor gear, is partnering with the legendary Cali band in celebration of their 60th anniversary.
More from Rolling Stone
The new Retrospec x Grateful Dead collection is available starting today on Retrospec.com starting at $59.99, and for many Dead Heads, the new collaboration will be a natural fit. Embodying the jam band’s spirit of freedom and adventure, more than a dozen bikes, ebikes, paddleboards, and more will get zhuzhed up with recognizable logos, from the Dancing Bears, to the group’s signature skull with a lightning bolt through it.
Retrospec x Grateful Dead Limited-Edition Collection
“Designed to let your inner rockstar shine on every adventure,” you can hit the waves on a new “Good Ol’ Weekender Dead” paddleboard, or zoom down the boardwalk in a Fat Tire Electric Bike with the Steal Your Face logo (the collection even includes youth balance bikes for the littlest of Dead Heads). If you’re looking to invest in some summer essentials now, there’s no time like the present.
“The Grateful Dead has been the soundtrack to many of my dawn-til-dusk hikes and thousands of miles of road travel through some of my favorite places and experiences worldwide,” said Retrospec CEO Ely Khakshouri in a statement. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the Dead’s 60th anniversary with this collection of limited-edition gear, which resonates with the band’s deep connection with the outdoor community. The Grateful Dead inspires spontaneity, creativity, curiosity and funloving – virtues we live by daily thanks in great part to the music.”
The newly-launched Grateful Dead drop covers both gear designed specifically for the beach (like single-speed Beach Cruisers to inflatable single and multi-person standup paddleboards), and general all-terrain equipment (the new moto-style Valen Rev+ ebike features a lightning bolt front life so you can explore off the beaten path, just like the Dead).
shop retrospec x grateful dead collection
Retrospec is just one of many brands that has recently released official Grateful Dead collabs for the anniversary celebration. Craft brewery Dogfish Dead recently partnered with the group to create the Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale, a sessionable, tropical-hop-forward beer wrapped in Steal Your Face-themed cans. For anyone who also has a big love for hoops and Jerry Garcia, sports apparel brand Homage had every NBA team logo receive a retro rock ‘n’ roll makeover for their latest limited-edition collection, too.
But if you’re itching to get out on the road and put on some jam band tunes while doing it, Retrospec proves once again you don’t have to sacrifice solid, durable gear for old school cool. Check out the Retrospec x Grateful Dead collection here before it drifts away with the tide (or just sells out).
Best of Rolling Stone
Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
