You're wandering through the blistering heat of the Gerudo Desert. Link is panting, your hearts are ticking down, and you finally see those massive stone gates. Then, the guards stop you. "Voe" (men) aren't allowed. It’s a classic Zelda roadblock. Honestly, if you don't have the Gerudo costume Breath of the Wild requires for entry, you’re basically just a tourist in a very dangerous sandbox.
Most players assume they can just buy a "heat resistant" outfit and walk right in. Wrong. The game is sneaky about this one. You can't just slap on some armor and call it a day; you need a specific disguise to fool the guards.
Where the Heck is the Gerudo Costume?
You’ve likely heard rumors of a "man who snuck into the city." This isn't just flavor text. To get the quest moving, you’ve gotta talk to Benja. He’s the Hylian guy hanging out near the Daqo Chisay Shrine right outside the main gates of Gerudo Town. He’ll tell you he’s looking for a merchant who managed to slip past the guards.
That merchant? They aren't in town.
Basically, you need to backtrack. Head north to the Kara Kara Bazaar. It’s that little oasis with the shops and the pond. Look for the tallest building—it’s a general store/inn combo. Climb the ladder on the outside and go all the way to the roof.
There, you’ll find Vilia. She’s wearing a bright, traditional outfit. You've gotta be polite here. If you compliment her looks, she’ll eventually offer to sell you a set of clothes for 600 Rupees.
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What You Actually Get for Your 600 Rupees
The "Gerudo Vai" set is what we’re talking about here. It consists of three specific pieces:
- Gerudo Veil: The headpiece.
- Gerudo Top: The body armor.
- Gerudo Sirwal: The baggy pants.
Each piece has a base defense of 1. Yeah, it’s basically paper-thin. You aren't wearing this for the armor rating. You’re wearing it for the "Vai" disguise bonus. When all three pieces are equipped, the Gerudo guards will let you stroll into the city like you own the place.
The Secret Most People Miss
Here is where things get kinda interesting. Once you’re inside the city, you don't actually have to wear the entire original set forever.
Later in the game, you can find the Sand Boots and Snow Boots from a guy named Bozai running around outside the walls. If you swap the Gerudo Sirwal (the pants) for either of these boots, the guards won't notice. You still look enough like a "vai" to stay inside.
Also, once you’ve completed the "Thunder Helm" quest, you can wear that massive gold helmet instead of the veil. It provides way better protection and makes you immune to lightning, which is a lifesaver when you're fighting Vah Naboris.
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Can You Upgrade the Gerudo Costume?
No. This is the biggest bummer.
Unlike the Desert Voe set (the male version you buy in the Secret Club), the Gerudo Vai costume cannot be upgraded at Great Fairy Fountains. It will always have a total defense of 3. If a Moblin hits you while you're wearing it, it's going to hurt.
Why use it then? Well, it’s the only way to access the shops, the jewelers, and the main story missions within the city walls. Plus, it provides Level 1 Heat Resistance. It’s enough for the general desert, but at midday in the deep dunes, you’ll still take damage unless you eat some Chilly food.
Dealing with the Guards
Don't ever try to change clothes inside the city. Seriously.
If you accidentally equip a piece of Hylian armor or the Zora tunic, the screen will go black. A guard will "yell" at you, and you’ll be tossed out onto the sand. It’s more of a nuisance than a real threat, but it's annoying if you were halfway to a shop.
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Buying Replacements
If you’re a completionist and want every color, or if you somehow sold your set (why would you?), you can buy the pieces individually later.
- Vilia on the roof will sell them for 200 Rupees a piece.
- The Fashion Passion shop inside Gerudo Town sells them too.
Interestingly, the shop inside town sells them for slightly cheaper—180 Rupees per piece (540 total). It’s not a huge savings, but hey, those arrows are expensive.
Actionable Steps to Get the Set Fast
If you’re standing in the desert right now wondering what to do, follow this order:
- Scout the Gate: Talk to Benja at the Gerudo Town entrance to trigger the "Forbidden City Entry" quest.
- Warp or Run to Kara Kara Bazaar: Look for the inn.
- Wait for the Right Time: Vilia usually hangs out on the roof during the day, but some players find her easier to spot at noon.
- Bring Cash: 600 Rupees is a lot in the early game. Sell some Amber or Luminous Stones to the merchants downstairs if you're short.
- Equip Immediately: Put the whole set on before you even leave the roof.
Once you have the Gerudo costume, your first priority inside the city should be finding the Gerudo Secret Club. You'll need a password (GSC◆), but that’s where you buy the "Voe" set which can be upgraded and provides way better stats for the actual desert combat. Keep the disguise in your inventory for whenever you need to restock on Bomb Arrows or talk to Riju.