You've been there. Link is halfway up a massive cliff in the Necluda region, his stamina wheel is flashing a frantic red, and you're screaming at the screen for him to just move faster. Then the rain starts. It’s basically the universal "Breath of the Wild" experience.
But it doesn't have to be that way.
Most people think you just have to grind for stamina vessels to explore Hyrule properly. Wrong. You actually need the Climbing Set. It’s easily one of the three most important armor sets in the game. Honestly, once you find the botw climbers gear locations, the entire verticality of the world changes. You stop looking for paths and start looking for shortcuts.
Where to find the Climber's Bandana
This is usually the first piece people stumble upon because it's tucked away near a main story path. You’ll find it in the Ree Dahee Shrine, which is nestled right in the middle of the Dueling Peaks.
If you warp to the Dueling Peaks Tower and paraglide north into the gorge, you'll see it on a ledge on the northern side of the river. The puzzle inside is called "Timing is Critical," and it’s all about pressure plates.
Don't miss the hidden chest
A lot of players finish the shrine and walk right past the gear. To get the bandana, you have to look for a metallic barrel near the end of the shrine. Use Magnesis to lift that barrel and place it on the final pressure plate. This tilts a platform, allowing you to reach a high ledge where the chest sits. Inside? Your new favorite headpiece.
💡 You might also like: Playing A Link to the Past Switch: Why It Still Hits Different Today
Tracking down the Climbing Gear (Tunic)
The "tunic" or shirt piece is the toughest to get early on. It’s located in the Chaas Qeta Shrine.
This shrine is located on Tenoko Island, which is a tiny speck of rock in the middle of the Necluda Sea. If you look southeast from Hateno Village toward the ocean, you'll see it. Getting there is a trek. You’ve basically got two options: use a Korok Leaf to sail a raft out there, or glide from the cliffs of Cape Cales.
The Major Test of Strength
Fair warning: this is a "Major Test of Strength" shrine. You’re going to have to fight a Guardian Scout IV. If you’re fresh off the Great Plateau, this thing will wreck you.
- Bring Guardian Weapons: They deal extra damage to the scout.
- Use the Pillars: When the Guardian does its spinning charge, hide behind a stone pillar. It'll crash, get stunned, and let you get some free hits in.
- Shock Arrows: These can interrupt its laser-charging phase if you're quick enough.
Beat the robot, and the chest with the Climbing Gear is yours.
Finding the Climbing Boots
The final piece of the puzzle is the footwear. The botw climbers gear locations quest takes you to the frigid slopes of Mount Lanayru for this one. You’re looking for the Tahno O'ah Shrine.
📖 Related: Plants vs Zombies Xbox One: Why Garden Warfare Still Slaps Years Later
It’s on the eastern side of the mountain, specifically in a cedar-tree-filled area called the Afromsia Coast. It's hidden behind a breakable rock wall. Look for a group of trees that seem a bit too perfectly placed, and start tossing bombs at the cliff face.
The best part? This is a "Blessing" shrine. No puzzles. No robots. Just walk in, open the chest, and grab your boots. Note that you’ll need at least Level 1 Cold Resistance (or a spicy pepper dish) to survive the walk up there without losing health.
Why the set bonus actually matters
Having the pieces is great, but the set bonus is the real game-changer. Individually, each piece increases your climbing speed. It’s like Link has had three cups of coffee.
However, if you upgrade all three pieces to at least level two at a Great Fairy Fountain, you unlock Climbing Jump Stamina Up.
The math of the jump
Normally, jumping while climbing eats your stamina like a Hinox eats apples. With the set bonus, that stamina cost is slashed by about half. You can practically "hop" up a mountain in seconds. To get those upgrades, you’ll need to start hoarding Keese Wings and Rushrooms.
👉 See also: Why Pokemon Red and Blue Still Matter Decades Later
Upgrade Requirements:
- Star 1: 3 Keese Wings and 3 Rushrooms per piece.
- Star 2: 5 Electric Keese Wings and 5 Hightail Lizards per piece.
If you’re struggling to find the lizards, check the shallow grass around Hateno Village. Just crouch-walk so you don't spook them.
Common misconceptions about the gear
I see this on Reddit all the time: "Does the climbing gear stop you from slipping in the rain?"
No. It doesn't.
It's heartbreaking, I know. Even with the full ancient-tech-infused set, Link will still slide down wet rocks. The only way to truly "beat" the rain is to use the Froggy Armor from the Tears of the Kingdom sequel, or just wait it out by a fire. In Breath of the Wild, the climbing gear just makes you faster, which sorta helps you cover more ground between slips, but it won't stop the slip itself.
Another thing—if you accidentally sell your gear (please don't), you aren't locked out of it forever. Once you finish the "From the Ground Up" sidequest and build Tarrey Town, a merchant named Granté will appear on a balcony. He sells rare armor pieces you've previously found. It’s expensive, but it’s a lifesaver.
Actionable Next Steps
To maximize your efficiency in Hyrule, your next move should be to head to the Dueling Peaks first. The bandana is the easiest to get and provides an immediate 20% boost to your climbing speed.
After that, mark the Chaas Qeta Shrine on your map but don't rush it until you have at least a few 30+ damage weapons. Once you have the full set, prioritize finding a Great Fairy to hit that level two upgrade. The jump stamina bonus is what actually makes the "botw climbers gear locations" worth the hunt.