How To Get Hairpin Skin and Rocket League Glider in Fortnite (2026)

Updated by Ankit Babal
July 23, 2025
FortniteGaming

You can get the free Hairpin skin and League Balloon Glider in Fortnite by completing specific challenges in Rocket League during the Summer Road Trip event (July 22 – August 4, 2026). You need 15 saves/epic saves for the Hairpin skin and must play one private match with custom mutators for the glider. Both rewards transfer to Fortnite instantly when using the same Epic Games account.

The Summer Road Trip 2026 event is here, and Fortnite players have an exciting opportunity to unlock two exclusive cosmetic items completely free – but there’s a unique twist. Unlike typical Fortnite challenges, the Hairpin skin and League Balloon Glider can only be earned by playing Rocket League during the Summer Road Trip event. These Fortnite-exclusive rewards showcase the growing collaboration between Epic Games’ two flagship titles.

Quick Overview: Free Fortnite Summer Road Trip Rewards

Reward	How to Unlock	Requirements	Time Limit
Hairpin Skin	Get 15 saves/epic saves in Rocket League online matches	Same Epic account	July 22 – Aug 4, 2026
League Balloon Glider	Play 1 private match with custom mutators in Rocket League	Same Epic account	July 22 – Aug 4, 2026
Hawaiian Shirt Connoisseur Title	Complete same challenge as Hairpin skin	Same Epic account	July 22 – Aug 4, 2026

Important: These rewards are exclusive to the Summer Road Trip event and won’t be available through regular Fortnite gameplay.

How To Get Free Hairpin Skin and Rocket League Glider in Fortnite?

Event Timeline and Key Details

The Summer Road Trip event runs from July 22 to August 4, 2025 in Rocket League, giving you nearly two weeks to complete both challenges. The event is part of Rocket League’s 10th anniversary celebration and Fortnite’s ongoing collaboration efforts.

Critical Requirements:

Download Rocket League (free-to-play)
Use the same Epic Games account for both games
Complete challenges within the event timeframe
Rewards are Fortnite-exclusive (won’t appear in Rocket League)

Method 1: Unlocking the Hairpin Skin

The Hairpin Skin represents a professional racing driver aesthetic, perfect for players who want to showcase their “road trip” adventures. Here’s exactly how to unlock it:

Step-by-Step Process:

Launch Rocket League and ensure you’re logged in with your Epic Games account
Navigate to online matchmaking – any online playlist counts
Focus on defensive gameplay to rack up saves and epic saves
Accumulate 15 total saves or epic saves during online matches
Check your progress in the Rocket League quest menu
Load Fortnite to receive your Hairpin Skin automatically

Best Farming Strategy for Saves:

The most effective method is playing Heatseeker Doubles in the Casual Playlist and staying near your goal to deflect incoming shots. Since the ball automatically targets the goal in this mode, it’s much easier to earn saves and epic saves.

Pro Tips for Maximize Saves:

Stick to defensive positions throughout matches
Focus on clearing balls that are heading toward your goal
Both regular saves and epic saves count toward the 15-save requirement
Play with friends to coordinate defensive strategies
Don’t worry about winning – focus purely on defensive actions

Additional Bonus Reward:

Completing the 15 saves challenge also unlocks the “Hawaiian Shirt Connoisseur” player title in Rocket League, giving you rewards in both games from a single challenge.

Method 2: Unlocking the League Balloon Glider

The League Balloon Glider is designed to look like an oversized Rocket League ball, creating a fun crossover aesthetic when gliding in Fortnite. This challenge is significantly easier than the Hairpin skin.

Complete Step-by-Step Guide:

Open Rocket League and go to the main menu
Select “Play” and navigate to “Private Match”
Choose “Create Private Match”
Set Bot Difficulty to any setting except “No Bots” if playing solo
Access “Mutator Settings” before creating the match
Change any mutator settings from their default values (ball size, speed, gravity, etc.)
Create and complete the private match – you just need to finish one game
Launch Fortnite to receive your League Balloon Glider

Easy Mutator Changes:

Ball Size: Change from “Default” to “Large” or “Small”
Ball Speed: Adjust from “Default” to “Slow” or “Fast”
Gravity: Modify from “Default” to “Low” or “High”
Boost Amount: Change from “Default” to “Unlimited” or “Slow Recharge”

Note: You only need to change ONE mutator setting – the system just needs to detect that custom mutators are active.

Cross-Game Account Requirements

Both rewards require careful attention to account linking. Players must use the same Epic Games account for both Fortnite and Rocket League to receive the rewards automatically. Here’s how to verify your setup:

Check Epic Account Email: Ensure both games show the same email address
Verify Account Linking: Go to Epic Games website → Account → Connected Accounts
Test Transfer: Complete one challenge first and check if it appears in Fortnite
Contact Support: If rewards don’t transfer, contact Epic Games support with your account details

Advanced Strategies and Tips (March 2026)

Optimizing Your Rocket League Gameplay

For players new to Rocket League, earning 15 saves might seem daunting. Here are advanced strategies from experienced players:

Positioning Tips:

Stay roughly one car-length in front of your goal
Don’t chase the ball across the field – let it come to you
Rotate with teammates so someone is always near the goal

Timing Strategies:

Jump early for high shots to maximize save opportunities
Use flip cancels to stay in position after clears
Master power slide turns to quickly rotate back to goal

Game Mode Selection:

Heatseeker (Best choice): Ball automatically seeks goals
Snow Day: Slower puck makes saves easier to time
Casual 2v2: Smaller teams mean more defensive opportunities
Avoid 1v1: You’re always the defender, but fewer save opportunities

Maximizing Event Rewards

The Summer Road Trip offers additional rewards beyond the Fortnite cosmetics. Players can earn 5,000 XP for getting 15 assists/centers and another 5,000 XP for scoring 15 goals in online matches. Consider completing all challenges for maximum benefit.

Efficient Challenge Completion:

Start with the private match (League Balloon Glider) – takes 5 minutes
Play Heatseeker matches focusing on saves (Hairpin Skin)
Use the same matches to work toward goals and assists
Check progress regularly in Rocket League’s quest menu

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Account-Related Mistakes:

Using different Epic accounts for each game
Forgetting to link accounts before starting challenges
Not checking rewards immediately in Fortnite after completion

Gameplay Mistakes:

Trying to complete challenges in offline modes
Focusing on aggressive play when saves are needed
Leaving matches before they complete (progress may not count)
Not changing mutator settings properly for the glider challenge

Time Management Errors:

Waiting until the last day (servers may be overloaded)
Not tracking progress through the in-game quest system
Attempting challenges outside the event timeframe

Integration with Fortnite Summer Road Trip Event

While these Rocket League challenges offer exclusive Fortnite rewards, don’t forget about the main Summer Road Trip event in Fortnite itself. The Fortnite side of the event runs until August 7 at 2 AM ET and offers the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 bundle among other rewards.

Complete Summer Road Trip Strategy:

Start in Rocket League: Knock out both quick challenges
Switch to Fortnite: Begin the 8-quest journey for the Corvette
Play with friends: Summer Road Trip requires party play
Mix game modes: Alternate between Epic-made and Creator-made experiences

For players interested in maximizing their Fortnite experience, consider reading our guide on how to get Superman skin and mythic powers for additional cosmetic options.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Rewards Not Appearing in Fortnite

If your rewards don’t transfer immediately:

Restart both games completely
Check your Epic Games account email matches in both titles
Verify challenge completion in Rocket League’s quest menu
Wait 24 hours for potential server delays
Contact Epic Support if problems persist beyond 48 hours

Rocket League Performance Tips

New players may struggle with Rocket League’s unique physics. Here are essential tips for gaming laptop users and general performance optimization:

Visual Settings for Performance:

Lower graphics quality for consistent frame rates
Disable weather effects and transparent goal posts
Use performance mode on lower-end systems
Consider disabling camera shake for better save positioning

Control Optimization:

Adjust camera settings for better field awareness
Customize control bindings for faster reactions
Use ball cam strategically (not 100% of the time)
Practice basic aerial movements in training mode

Event Rewards Availability

After the Summer Road Trip event ends, the Hairpin Outfit and League Balloon Glider may return in the Fortnite Item Shop at a later date. However, getting them for free during the event is significantly more valuable than potential future purchases.

Future Availability Considerations:

Free event versions are identical to potential shop versions
No confirmed timeline for shop appearances
Event-exclusive rewards often become rare collector items
Completing challenges now saves potential V-Bucks later

Advanced Cross-Game Strategies

Understanding the relationship between Fortnite and Rocket League can enhance your gaming experience across both titles. Epic Games frequently runs cross-promotional events, making it worthwhile to maintain active accounts in both games.

Long-term Benefits:

Access to exclusive cross-game cosmetics
Enhanced social features across Epic’s ecosystem
Priority access to future collaborative events
Expanded gaming variety without additional costs

Building Gaming Communities: Many players discover new gaming communities through these cross-game events. Consider joining Fortnite clans or Rocket League teams to enhance your multiplayer experience and make future challenges easier with coordinated teammates.

Platform-Specific Information

Both rewards work across all supported platforms for Fortnite and Rocket League:

Fortnite Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mobile (where available)
Rocket League Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Cross-Platform Benefits:

Rewards transfer regardless of platform differences
Can complete challenges on one platform, use rewards on another
Epic account synchronization handles all cross-platform features
No additional setup required beyond standard account linking

FAQ’s

Can I get the Hairpin skin without playing Rocket League?

No, the Hairpin Outfit cannot be unlocked by completing quests inside Fortnite and must be earned through Rocket League challenges during the Summer Road Trip event.

How long does it take to earn 15 saves in Rocket League?

For new players, expect 3-5 hours of focused gameplay in Heatseeker mode. Experienced players can complete this in 1-2 hours by concentrating on defensive positioning.

Do I need to buy Rocket League to get these rewards?

No, Rocket League is free-to-play. You just need to download it and use the same Epic Games account as your Fortnite account.

Will these cosmetics work in Rocket League too?

No, both the Hairpin skin and League Balloon Glider are Fortnite-exclusive rewards. These items cannot be used in Rocket League despite being earned there.

What happens if I don’t complete challenges before August 4?

The challenges will no longer be available after August 4, 2026. However, these items may return in the Fortnite Item Shop at a later date for V-Bucks purchase.

Can I complete both challenges in the same Rocket League session?

Yes! You can play the private match with mutators first (takes 5 minutes), then jump into online matches to work toward your 15 saves.

Do assists or goals count toward the Hairpin skin challenge?

No, only saves and epic saves count toward unlocking the Hairpin skin. Assists and goals have separate challenges with different rewards.

What’s the difference between a save and an epic save?

Both count equally toward your 15-save requirement. Epic saves are just more spectacular defensive plays, but the challenge doesn’t distinguish between them.

Can I track my progress toward these rewards?

Yes, check the Summer Road Trip quest section in Rocket League’s main menu to monitor your progress toward both challenges.

Are there other Fortnite rewards available in Rocket League?

During the Summer Road Trip event, these are the only two Fortnite-exclusive rewards. However, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 bundle can be earned in either game and transfers between both.

Ready to start your Summer Road Trip?

Download Rocket League today and begin earning these exclusive Fortnite cosmetics. Remember, you have until August 4, 2026 to complete both challenges, so there’s plenty of time to master the required skills and add these unique items to your Fortnite collection.

For more Fortnite content and gaming guides, check out our comprehensive collection of Fortnite usernames to complete your gaming persona, or explore our analysis of whether Fortnite is shutting down to stay informed about the game’s future.