If you’ve been searching high and low for the best Adidas cologne for men, then look no further. We’ve collected the five best fragrances from the legendary sportswear company in this review.
Though respected worldwide today as a premium athleticwear brand, Adidas came from humble beginnings in 1948 Germany. Named after its founder Adi Dassler, Adidas’s forward-thinking sports shoes were the product of years of tinkering by a master craftsman — and you’ll see that same attention to detail in the sportswear giant’s line of colognes for men.
In this guide, we’ll give our recommendations for the best Adidas colognes for men, as well as complete profiles of their unique aromas and the best seasons or occasions for wearing each scent. By the end of the article, you’ll have a clear idea of which Adidas cologne best aligns with your specific tastes.
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5 Best Adidas Cologne For Men In 2022
Made in partnership with perfuming legends Coty, nearly all of Adidas’s colognes are deserving of a place in your wardrobe. The following five colognes, however, represent only the best of the best, with each scent showcasing some of the finest work in modern fragrance composition.
Pure Game (Our Top Pick)
Launched in 2010, Pure Game is a fresh and woodsy cologne that sports an ideal blend of approachable aromatics and amazing value. Given its affordable price tag and impressive development over time, we think Pure Game is easily the best Adidas cologne for men.
An intriguing blend of top notes makes Pure Game an instant success, drawing in the nose with scents of citrus, herbs, and freshly cracked black pepper. A woodsy heart focuses on intensely green cypress, backed up by a hint of lavender to soften the strong middle. Not to be outdone, the base notes of Pure Game give it greater longevity, with a subtly smoky hint from freshly burned incense and dried tonka beans.
Though it doesn’t have incredible longevity or intensity, Pure Game is an exceptionally affordable cologne and one of the best value sports colognes out there today. If you’re looking for a scent that wears equally well at the gym, the office, or out on a summertime date, Pure Game is definitely the cologne for you.
Notes:
- Top notes of grapefruit, basil, mandarin orange, and black pepper
- Middle notes of cypress, guaiac wood, and lavender
- Base notes of tonka bean, sandalwood, patchouli, and incense
Best For:
- All day wear
- Active wear
- Excellent in summer
Adidas Moves For Men
One of the longest running colognes in Adidas’s lineup, Moves for Men was released in 1999 to appeal to men who enjoy complex and intriguing aromatics. Fresh and easygoing, it’s an excellent scent for active wear and deserves a place in any man’s gym bag.
The top notes of Moves for Men read like a laundry list of aromatics popular in the 90s: Green apple is joined by pineapple, balanced by mint and black pepper, and finished with zesty mandarin orange peel. A heart of juniper and musk is accented by hints of ginger and jasmine, while the lightly-inflected base carries intermittent pulses of sandalwood and oakmoss throughout the entire fragrance.
Sporting a fine balance of moderate intensity and moderate duration, Adidas Moves for Men is an ideal spring and summertime scent. It’s complex enough to wear day after day, but restrained enough to wear just about anywhere without drawing unwanted attention.
Notes:
- Top notes of tomato leaf, green apple, pineapple, mint, black pepper, star anise, and mandarin orange
- Middle notes of juniper berries, musk, lavender, ginger, geranium, cedar, and jasmine
- Base notes of thyme, oakmoss, lily of the valley, and sandalwood
Best For:
- Spring and summer wear
- Daytime wear
Adidas Ice Dive
Highly aromatic and pleasantly spicy, Adidas Ice Dive is a scent that is as quick as its name implies. After an initial burst of invigorating sensual pleasures, it fades quickly into the background of your life — making it an excellent choice for applying after a workout, but not the best cologne for long duration wear.
Mint joins a raucous party of citrus peels from across the globe in Ice Dive’s top notes, supported in their revelry by lavender and kiwi. Two components usually reserved for base notes, sandalwood and patchouli, appear here as heart notes instead. A slight hint of vanilla and musk anchors the fragrance, giving a final breath of life to an otherwise short-lived scent.
With its short duration and intimate intensity, Ice Dive is best thought of as a cologne that is primarily for the wearer to enjoy. In colder weather, it becomes deeper and longer-lasting; otherwise, consider splashing on a few sprays after hitting the gym.
Notes:
- Top notes of mint, grapefruit, lavender, anise, yuzu, bergamot, kiwi, and mandarin orange
- Middle notes of geranium, sandalwood, and patchouli
- Base notes of black pepper, ambergris, musk, vanilla, and tonka bean
Best For:
- Cold weather wear
- Active wear
- Everyday wear
Adidas Victory League
Launched in 2006, Adidas Victory League is an oriental woody fragrance designed to wear anytime, anywhere. It’s an inspired combination of approachability and uniqueness, offering an alternative to Adidas’s more sports-centric colognes that can easily be worn to the office or out on a date.
Juicy pear joins bergamot peel and bright green basil in Victory League’s top notes, providing a fresh and fruity foil to the woody and spicy heart notes. Cinnamon and lavender abound here, supported by small portions of musk and vanilla in the base that give the cologne better longevity.
Offering a moderate duration and close-to-the-skin intensity, Victory League is a supremely versatile cologne that has the double benefit of being quite affordable. It’s definitely worth trying out a small bottle and seeing if it fits your style.
Notes:
- Top notes of pear, bergamot, and basil
- Middle notes of cinnamon, cedar, and lavender
- Base notes of musk and vanilla
Best For:
- Year-round wear
- Everyday wear
Adidas UEFA Champions League Arena Edition
Made in homage of the Union of European Football Associations, Adidas’s Champions League Arena Edition debuted in 2016 to provide an oriental fougere style cologne for the brand. It’s an enticing blend that focuses on rich autumnal aromas, making it ideal for fall and winter wear.
Citrus-heavy bergamot joins rosemary and granny smith apple in Arena Edition, giving a balanced blend of top notes that flows smoothly into a heart full of flowers and spicy yet savory coriander. Tonka bean, patchouli, and musk form a traditional base, giving a welcome grounding note to an otherwise intensely aromatic cologne.
Offering moderate longevity and a moderate intensity, Adidas UEFA Champions League Arena Edition is a fantastic cologne to wear to the office or freshen up with after working out.
Notes:
- Top notes of bergamot, rosemary, and green apple
- Middle notes of jasmine, geranium, and coriander
- Base notes of tonka bean, patchouli, and musk
Best For:
- Freshening up after working out
- Fall and winter wear
Which Adidas Cologne Smells Best?
Of all the Adidas colognes in our review, Pure Game stands out as the best smelling Adidas cologne for men. Friendly and approachable top notes will draw your nose in right away, while a refreshingly woodsy heart makes it a strongly masculine cologne.
Though it’s intended as an activewear cologne, Adidas Pure Game does just as well when worn to the office or out on a date. It’s a truly versatile cologne that’s available at an incredibly affordable price, making it our top choice as the best Adidas cologne for men.
For more great like Adidas, make sure to check out brands like David Beckham, Diesel, and Calvin Klein.
Brian Adee
Brian has been fascinated with fragrances since his 8th birthday, when his Dad gifted him a bottle of Acqua di Gio. Since then, he has become a men's grooming & style aficionado who teaches men how to look sharp. Backed by personal experience, Brian's articles are known for his no-holds-barred style where he holds nothing back. You will get his real opinions on the latest men's grooming products and best practices where he reveals the best (and worst) style advice every man should know.
