Christmas has come early for Deadheads and sneakerheads alike this year.
In a collaboration no one saw coming, Nike announced a new line of Grateful Dead-inspired sneakers. Available in three different colors, the Nike SB Dunk Low Grateful Dead retails for $110 per pair.
The colorful design features a frayed signature Nike swoosh and the band's dancing bear, which was inspired by the group's longtime audio engineer and LSD advocate Owsley "Bear" Stanley.
"As the band’s benefactor, Bear was an incredibly huge part of the Grateful Dead’s ability to become who they were,” David Lemieux, the band’s archivist and legacy manager shared in a statement. “They were talented musicians, but they would not have had the financial freedom to forgo jobs, move to Los Angeles and practice for 14 hours a day. The band wouldn’t become what it is today without Bear’s innovations and contributions.”
Bear also spearheaded the design of the band's equally legendary "Steal Your Face" skull logo, which was named after the band's 1973 live album, and appears on the inside of the shoe.
The sneakers' other features include faux fur, suede and most importantly, a hidden zipper pouch built into the inner tongue of the shoe - we'll let you determine its purpose.
The orange version of the Nike SB Dunk Low Grateful Dead hits the street on July 18 via FTC Skateshop. The yellow and green versions are slated to release on July 24 at Nike’s SNKRS app and select skate shops.
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