The Best Solid Colognes for Men

When was the last time you saw an article in the gossip pages asking which celebrity wore a scent best? Or who showed up on the red carpet with the most interesting cologne, or the least pleasing one? Ever seen a street photographer make a living taking snapshots of the perfume a-la The Sartorialist? Gossip columnists and more respectable fashion writers don’t end up covering things like cologne because they simply don’t lend themselves to being written about in the same way that the way someone’s dress does. Don’t let the death of coverage fool you; the world of men’s scents is as varied and interesting as the broader world of men’s fashion. In much the same way that a guy can find a way to curate his own wardrobe and style with all that is available, he can do the same when it comes to finding a signature scent. With that said, we wanted to take a moment to present to you our best solid colognes for men.

What is solid cologne?

Solid colognes are fragrances that come as a solid instead of liquid, as you may have already guessed. The base of these colognes is almost always made with wax (beeswax being the most popular choice) with scents added to it. They also tend to be more stable and subtle compared to liquid cologne, with the deeper notes taking a bit longer to fully come through.

Solid vs. Spray cologne

Obviously, what sets these apart is that they are solid as opposed to liquid – but that is far from the only difference. Their solid state makes them both more long-lasting once you apply them, and easier to travel since users don’t have to comply with TSA security liquid limits. And since solid cologne is made with wax, typical situations that would make liquid cologne less potent, like the sun, aren’t as much of a problem.

How and when to use solid cologne

Using solid cologne is quite simple: just take a dab with your finger or a cotton swab, and apply it to your pulse points (neck, wrists, etc.). Depending on how the cologne was made, you might have to warm it up a bit before applying, but this doesn’t take long. Solid cologne is a great choice if you’re looking for subtle and long-lasting fragrances, and they usually come in convenient containers, so reapplying and traveling with them are made easier.

Juniper Ridge Desert Cedar Solid Perfume

The Best Budget Pick: Evoking thoughts of warm nights under the desert stars, the Desert Cedar Solid Perfume from Juniper Ridge is a solid cologne easy to bring and wear anywhere. It’s clean and natural which makes it a great choice year-round, made even better by its reasonable price point, with a sharp and sweet fragrance.

Detroit Grooming Co. Corktown Solid Cologne

The All-Arounder: Made from a blended beeswax and coconut oil base, this cologne from Detroit Grooming Co. has a scent any guy would be happy with; vanilla, tobacco, and cedarwood. The fragrance, like all produced by the small midwestern company, is made for the ‘guy of any time’. Whether you are trying to forge your own style or stick to the classics – this sustainably made cologne will provide the right finishing touch.

Duke Cannon Bourbon Solid Cologne

The Best Portable Solid Cologne: If you’re looking for a simple yet pleasant solid cologne that’s conveniently portable, then check out Duke Cannon’s Bourbon Solid Cologne. This American-made fragrance is subtle and long-lasting, inspired by the brand’s favorite rack houses, the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Featuring that nostalgic oaky fragrance found in distilleries.

Solid State Wayfarer

The Best Summer Solid Cologne: A wayfarer, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a ‘traveler on foot’. It seems fitting, then, that this cologne from Solid State features so many natural and outdoorsy fragrances. This 10-gram tin of solid cologne from the American brand boasts a confident fusion of tobacco, tonic bean, cacao, vanilla, oak, and spice. Whether you yourself are trying to recapture some scent you caught while out in the woods as a kid or to feel a little less like an office rat – it is a hell of a choice from an exciting and young company.

Bespoke Post Solid Cologne Trio

The Best Package Deal: Almost as good as a nice solid cologne is getting a good deal on one. And with Bespoke’s Post Solid Cologne Trio, you’re getting three inspired by different times of the day and the feelings they bring. These American-made fragrances offer a wide variety of scents

Fulton and Roark Clearwater

The Classic Pick: Solid cologne has been around for a long time. Like, really long (think Egyptians). But if we would give credit to any one brand for revitalizing or popularizing once again this type of cologne, we’d probably give it to Fulton and Roark. And out of all the scents that they offer for guys? We go for their Clearwater. This solid cologne from the small team in Salem, North Carolina is made from ingredients like mineral oil, ceresin wax, coconut oil, and perfumers alcohol. As they tell it, the scent was inspired by the Madagascan geranium, a specific flower grown on the African country’s coast. The flower has a fresh clear scent that sits at the center of the cologne and is surrounded by notes of oak moss and fresh water.

Diptyque Eau Rose

The Best French Solid Cologne: Far from the pocketable tins that dominate the market, this cologne from Diptyque presents itself as a more luxurious and refined scent. Hailing from France, this cologne features a fragrance captured via the distillation of rose petals. That central floral note is then couched in a kind of honey, waxy, and spicy set of notes that give it a curious complexity.

Aroma 59 Arbol Solid Cologne

The Best Long-Lasting Solid Cologne: While solid colognes last pretty long already, it doesn’t hurt to know you’ve got something that can go even longer. The Aroma 59 Arbol Solid Cologne is not only that, but a great travel companion too. With hints of flowers and cedar oak, it’ll leave you feeling and smelling fresh for quite some time.