Are you having trouble finding the right cologne? Even if you already have a favorite, consider
Nautica is an ocean-themed lifestyle brand. Their cologne line focuses on a range of smells suitable for active, outdoor lifestyles, especially near the ocean, which, as we know, is a powerful draw for the head and the heart. Most of their smells work equally well in formal settings as some of the finest colognes for men.
I went through their catalog and tested many of their products to find the ones I like most. Keep reading for my thoughts on the best
Key Takeaways
I think
Nautica’s Voyage is a lightly-scented Eau De Toilette, and in my experience, it’s one of the top colognes women love. The high notes include greenery (in the form of both leaves and lotus) mixed with green apples, while the cedarwood in the base reinforces the fruity smell.
Why it’s great: Voyage is
Who is this for?:
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I think this is one of the best woody colognes. Fruit and wood smells go together in the wilderness, so they work on a fundamental level. However, some people find this sort of scent a turn-off. Know your audience.
Top Notes: Green Apple, Leaves, Lotus | Middle Notes: Water Lotus | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Marine, Amber | Size: 3.3 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Summer
Nautica’s Classic fragrance is a comfortably sized spray bottle with a range of floral and tree scents to it. Beyond the top notes above, it features coriander, neroli, and lemon. I find that the higher notes complement the subtler ones well, melding together into a final, pleasant style.
Why it’s great: Scent aside, the real reason to consider this perfume is its price. The Classic is one of
Who is this for?: That said, the one note that truly stands out to me is the cinnamon. In my experience, that’s kind of a love-it-or-hate-it smell (and flavor), by which I mean that most people like it or don’t. I think you’ll enjoy this cologne if you like cinnamon, but consider other options on this list if you don’t.
You’ll usually find this
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Five sprays is a lot, to some people. Keep that in mind if you’re aiming for all-day coverage.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Cinnamon, Lime | Middle Notes: Geranium, Jasmine, Rose | Base Notes: Musk, Sandalwood | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring
This perfume is the only
Why it’s great: That’s why I decided to balance my own opinions with the public’s choice.
Even better,
Who is this for?: If you’re not sure which product to get, I suggest Blue. Most people enjoy the mix of sandalwood and pineapple as the main notes, and the sampler bottle is a great way to test its scent at minimal investment. I like the Voyage better, but it’s almost impossible to go wrong with the Blue.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The one possible downside of such a popular perfume is that you won’t be the only one in the room wearing it. If this bothers you, then perhaps consider going with something still distinctive but possibly less hot-thing-of-the-moment.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Pineapple | Middle Notes: Jasmine, Water Lily | Base Notes: Sandalwood | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Summer
Don’t confuse the N-83 with the regular Voyage, as they have significantly different smells. A few things stand out about these bottles compared to the others I’ve discussed, but I want to call attention to the base notes. It’s one thing to look for the best musk cologne, but it’s unusual to see a single perfume also add cedarwood and sandalwood to musk.
The reason
Why it’s great: The N-83 is relatively light for a perfume, with a milder overall scent than the regular Voyage. I think gentler scents work better than something overpowering, and the result is one of
Who is this for?: As I said, though, this is mainly a matter of personal preference. Everyone has their own opinion on what smells best, so I suggest trying the smallest sizes of several products on this list, then choosing one to stick with.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: As with a woody smell, the smell of the sea is not to everyone’s liking. Again, consider your audience.
Top Notes: Aquaspace, Grain, Spearmint | Middle Notes: Cardamon, Lavender, Nutmeg | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Sandalwood | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Summer
The best cologne for young men can vary significantly from other demographics, and that’s okay. For younger men, stronger and sweeter colognes may end up being problematic.
Why it’s great:
Who is this for?: Price-wise, it’s about average among the best
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The scent might be too mild for some.
Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Sea | Middle Notes: Ivy, Lily-of-the-Valley, Sage | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Musk, Vetiver | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Spring
Voyage is my top choice from
Why it’s great: Now, for those who aren’t familiar with these products, the main use of cologne is smelling good. In contrast, body sprays help stop bad smells. A good body spray will have chemicals that limit sweating, and in this case, it reinforces the cologne to provide a better overall smell.
Who is this for?: Some people don’t need body sprays; others do. Factors like lifestyle, genetics, and environment affect your natural smell. If you use body spray, I can’t recommend this set enough.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The set contains both spray and body spray; if you or the person you’re buying for doesn’t use body spray, then maybe consider buying just the spray.
Top Notes: Green Apple, Leaves, Lotus | Middle Notes: Water Lotus | Base Notes: Cedarwood, Marine, Amber | Size: 3.4 oz + 6 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette + Body Spray | Season: Summer
As is the case with the Voyage N-83,
Why it’s great: The most accurate way I can describe this cologne is an earthier, somewhat more intense version of the Voyage. I instantly notice the difference when comparing them side-by-side, and this may be a good choice if you think the regular Voyage is too light or fruity.
Who is this for?: Midnight Voyage is one of the best long-lasting colognes, making it ideal if you expect to be out for most of the day.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: However, this cologne is half the size of most of
Top Notes: Mint | Middle Notes: Pink Pepper | Base Notes: Amber | Size: 1.6 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Autumn
Have you noticed a pattern in
Why it’s great: The Voyage Sport’s real highlight is its impressively fresh smell. The salt combines with citrus on the high notes to invoke a sense of being down on the Florida coast, while the flower, fruit, and vegetable scents augment the outdoor feeling. It isn’t my usual daily cologne, but I like using it on days when I want to feel a little fresher than usual.
Who is this for?: This works well for someone wanting an all-day scent.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The green pepper scent might be too much for some.
Top Notes: Citrus, Coriander, Sea Notes | Middle Notes: Apple, Geranium, Green Pepper, Palm Leaf | Base Notes: Brazilian Redwood, Musk, Patchouli, Vetiver | Size: 3.4 oz | Type: Eau de Toilette | Season: Summer
Buying Considerations for the Best Nautica Colognes
Here are the three main things to consider when buying
Price
Prices vary by store, but you can often find a bottle of the typical
Scent
Scent is entirely a matter of preference. If you’re not sure you’ll enjoy the smell, try buying a small bottle first and going from there.
Is it Long-lasting?
Some people want longer-lasting colognes, so be sure to check reviews. That way, you’ll find the best
Why You Should Trust Us
Jane Elmets knows fashion inside and out, having traveled the world and encountered many of the best scents out there. She has made a special study of men’s fashion, including colognes, and she is more than happy to share her expertise. At FashionBeans.com, we understand the importance of having just the right scent for the situation, no matter what that situation is, and we are dedicated to providing you with all the advice you want.
Final Verdict
I think
FAQ
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Nautica is a relatively new company in the perfume space, but I like that they have an excellent balance of price and quality. Good is a slightly subjective term for scents, but Nautica typically offers reliable quality and trustworthy manufacturing alongside a consistent smell.
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Colognes last for different amounts of time depending on things like the concentration and where you apply them. Some people find that it lasts about two hours for them, in which case touching it up throughout the day is prudent. Others can make it last for up to eight hours, meaning one application a day is enough.
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