You're staring at a sheer cliff face in Breath of the Wild. Rain is starting to fall because, of course, it always rains when you need to get somewhere high. Your stamina wheel is flashing red. Link’s fingers are slipping. You’ve probably realized by now that while the paraglider is the soul of this game, your ability to scale mountains is what actually dictates how much of Hyrule you get to see. This is why everyone obsesses over the climbing gear pants, or the Climbing Boots as they’re officially named in-game.
They change everything.
Most players stumble upon the shirt first. It’s tucked away in a shrine that’s relatively easy to find if you’re exploring the Necluda region. But the pants? They’re a different story. They are tucked away in a corner of the map that feels like the edge of the world, guarded by a puzzle that has frustrated more than a few completionists.
Why the Zelda Breath of the Wild climbing pants are actually essential
Speed is the obvious benefit. When you equip the full set, you move significantly faster while clinging to rock walls. But honestly, the real "secret sauce" of the climbing gear pants kicks in once you’ve upgraded them.
See, base-level gear is fine. It looks cool. Link looks like he’s ready for a bouldering session at a hipster gym. But if you take those boots to a Great Fairy and cough up the necessary materials—specifically those annoying Keese wings and Electric Safflina—you unlock the Set Bonus.
Climbing Jump Stamina Edit. That’s the technical term. Basically, it means when you hit the "X" button to leap upward while climbing, it consumes way less stamina. It’s the difference between making it over a ridge and tumbling to your death because you miscalculated a jump by half an inch.
Where to actually find them
You need to head to the Hateno region. Specifically, you’re looking for the Tahno O'ah Shrine.
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Don’t just wander aimlessly. That’s a trap. The shrine is hidden behind a breakable rock wall on the eastern slope of Mount Lanayru. It’s cold up there. Like, "Link is shivering and losing health" cold. You’ll need Level 1 cold resistance just to survive the hike.
I remember the first time I went looking for these. I kept checking my Sheikah Sensor, and the beeping was driving me crazy because I was standing right on top of the icon, but there was nothing but snow and cedar trees. You have to look for a cluster of rocks that look just a bit too deliberate. A well-placed Remote Bomb or a Fire Arrow will clear the path.
Inside? It’s a "Blessing" shrine. No puzzles. No Guardian Scouts trying to poke holes in you. Just a chest containing the climbing gear pants. The game basically rewards you for the struggle of finding the cave in the first place.
The Upgrade Path (The Real Grind)
Finding them is the easy part. Making them godly is where the work begins. You’re going to need a lot of materials.
- First Upgrade: 3 Keese Wings and 3 Rushrooms. Easy. You probably have these in your pocket.
- Second Upgrade: 5 Electric Keese Wings and 5 Hightail Lizards. This is where it gets annoying. Electric Keese are the worst enemies in the game—don't @ me.
- Third Upgrade: 5 Ice Keese Wings and 10 Hot-Footed Frogs. Go to the rainy areas for the frogs; they’re everywhere near Zora's Domain.
- Fourth Upgrade: 5 Fire Keese Wings and 15 Swift Violets. You’ll find the violets clinging to the sides of cliffs in the Hebra or Gerudo Highlands. Yes, you have to climb to get the materials that make you better at climbing. The irony isn't lost on anyone.
Common misconceptions about climbing speed
People think wearing the climbing gear pants makes you use less stamina just by hanging there. It doesn't.
Stamina drain while stationary is zero. Stamina drain while moving is constant. The reason the pants feel like they save stamina is simply because you spend less time on the wall. If you move 50% faster, you’re spending 50% less time draining your green wheel.
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It’s math.
Also, don't make the mistake of thinking these boots help in the rain. They don't. Nothing in the base game—not even the full climbing set—prevents you from slipping when the rocks are wet. You’ll still slide down every few seconds. The only way to truly "beat" the rain is the Froggy Armor from the Tears of the Kingdom sequel, but here in Breath of the Wild, you just have to wait it out or find a spot with an overhang to start a fire and skip time.
How to use them effectively with other gear
You don't always have to wear the full set.
If you're in a high-heat area like Death Mountain, you’re forced to wear at least one piece of Flamebreaker armor. I usually keep the climbing gear pants on and swap the shirt for the heavy stone armor. You lose the set bonus, but you keep the base speed increase from the boots.
It’s about trade-offs.
Some people swear by the Ravio’s Hood from the DLC. It increases sideways climbing speed. Pair that with the climbing boots and the climbing shirt, and you become a literal spider. It’s a niche build, but for navigating the pillars in the Forgotten Temple or the ruins around the Great Plateau, it’s actually pretty fun.
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The aesthetic problem
Let’s be real: the Climbing Boots look a bit goofy.
They’re essentially capri pants with heavy hiking boots and carabiners dangling off the side. If you hate the default color, head over to the Dye Shop in Hateno Village. Dying the whole set black or navy blue makes Link look significantly more like a professional mountaineer and less like he’s about to go on a guided tour of a local cavern.
Navy blue, specifically, matches the Sheikah Slate’s glow quite nicely.
Actionable Next Steps for the Completionist
If you haven't grabbed these yet, stop what you're doing and warp to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. From there, paraglide toward the cliffs of Mount Lanayru.
- Check your inventory for Cold Resistance. Eat a Spicy Pepper dish or equip the Warm Doublet/Snowquill Tunic.
- Set your Sheikah Sensor+ to Shrines. It’s the only way to find the hidden cave without a map open on your phone.
- Stock up on Remote Bombs. Don't waste your bomb arrows in the snow; sometimes the physics act weird and they won't ignite properly if it's considered "wet" near the cave entrance.
- Head to the Great Fairy near Kakariko Village immediately after. Even the first upgrade adds a decent chunk of defense, which is the climbing gear's biggest weakness.
Getting the climbing gear pants is a rite of passage. Once you have them, the verticality of Hyrule stops being an obstacle and starts being your playground. You'll find yourself looking at the tallest peaks in the Hebra Mountains not with dread, but with a sense of "Yeah, I can get up there in like two minutes."
Go get them. Mount Lanayru is waiting.
Key Takeaways for Master Mode Players
If you’re playing on Master Mode, the trek to the Tahno O'ah Shrine is significantly more dangerous. Expect high-level enemies near the base of the mountain. I’d recommend approaching from the sky if possible, or using a Blizzard Rod to freeze any mobs that get too close. The boots are even more critical in Master Mode because you often need to escape combat by scaling a wall quickly before a golden Bokoblin one-shots you.
The Zelda Breath of the Wild climbing pants aren't just a cosmetic choice; they are a mechanical necessity for anyone serious about exploring every nook and cranny of the map. Without them, you're just a guy in tunics struggling against gravity. With them, you're the hero Hyrule needs.