Men’s Cologne (and Cologne Alternatives) We Love
Our 7 favorite scents for men who prefer ski boots to a suit jacket
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There’s a certain pride that comes with body odor. Really bad BO proves (in most cases) you’ve been out there getting after it. But what about the times when you’re not getting after it, and, instead, you’re sitting in a plane, or in a car or at work, with people who would rather not smell your adventure? For those occasions, it can be nice (for all parties) to actually smell good. To help, we’ve rounded up our seven favorite outdoor-inspired scents.
Ethics Supply Co. Peak Bagging Soap ($12)
Think of this soap as a gateway scent. It’s principally there to wash away your grime, but thanks to infused essential oils, it leaves you smelling like sage and juniper, even when you’re out of the shower. The smells are subtle, so it’s a good place to start.
Abbott Telluride Cologne ($55)
Yes, this is a cologne, but don’t worry—you won’t walk around smelling like you walked out of a department store or just flipped through a fashion magazine. Instead, Telluride is an easygoing fragrance of mostly suede and sandalwood, two low-key scents that go as well in a lift line as they do a fancy dinner out.
Hawthorne Deodorant ($17)
True, that’s a lot for a stick of deodorant, but it’s my new favorite for two reasons. First, it’s totally aluminum- and paraben-free, so I’m not rubbing chemicals into my armpit, yet it still works just as well as those not-so-good-for-you brands (really). And second, I was able to customize the scent to exactly what I wanted through the Hawthorne website. Tip: also check out its customizable body wash and colognes.
Los Poblanos Beard Oil ($30)
Beard oil helps keep your beard healthy and your skin moisturized. There are lots of options, but a new go-to is this one from a small organic farm here in New Mexico that’s just down the road from Outside’s headquarters. The farm is known for its lavender, so that’s the main scent, but you also get hints of sage, juniper, and cedar.
Alpine Provisions Essential Oil, Fir and Sage ($10)
You smell good when you wear this oil, but it’s also meant to calm you down. About to step onto a ten-hour plane ride that you’re not looking forward to? Rub a little on your wrists, take a whiff, and sink into your seat. Slogging through a report that’s stressing you out at work? Same thing. Rub, take a whiff, and keep crushing.
Ranger Station Birch Bark Cologne ($70)
Once again we present you with a cologne, but this one is also subtle and only lasts a couple hours before completely wearing off. Birch and cedar are the main scents here, so it’s the most masculine on this list and a good choice for those who don’t like more gender-neutral scents like lavender and sage.
Juniper Ridge Solid Perfume, Cascade Forest ($17)
The only way to describe this fragrance is to say that Juniper Ridge found a way to take the forests of the Pacific Northwest and shove them into a small tin. As you rub this beeswax-based, gender-neutral “perfume” on your skin, you can’t help but call up pine needles, sappy trees, and moist dirt. If you’re from the PNW or have an affinity for its woods, this is your new favorite scent.