You’re plummeting. The wind is screaming in Link’s ears, the clouds are whipping past, and the vast, broken landscape of Hyrule is rushing up to meet you at terminal velocity. It’s a breathtaking moment. It’s also the moment you realize—probably with a bit of panic—that you don't have a way to stop.
Most players coming straight from Breath of the Wild assume the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider is just... there. Like it’s part of Link’s DNA at this point. But Nintendo decided to mess with us a little bit this time around. Honestly, it's kind of a bold move. They let you wander around the Great Sky Island for hours, diving into ponds and climbing ruins, all while withholding the one tool that actually makes the game playable.
If you don't follow the specific breadcrumbs the developers laid out, you can actually play for a shockingly long time without it. I’ve seen people try to trek across Central Hyrule on foot, getting absolutely bullied by Bokoblins because they can't escape to the skies. It’s brutal.
The "Crisis at Hyrule Castle" Bottleneck
Basically, the game wants you to focus. After you finally descend from the Sky Islands—which is a feat in itself—you land in the ruins of Hyrule Kingdom. Your instinct is probably to run off toward the first shiny thing you see on the horizon. Don't do that.
To get your hands on the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider, you have to follow the main questline titled "To the Kingdom of Hyrule." This leads you straight to Lookout Landing. This place is the new central hub, a makeshift town built by survivors and researchers. You’ll meet Purah here. She looks different than she did in the last game (thanks to some age-reversal lore), but she’s still the boss.
She won't just hand it over, though.
You have to go find Hoz. He’s stationed at the First Gatehouse of Hyrule Castle. You’ll see a massive floating chunk of the castle hovering in the air—head toward that. It's a bit of a hike, and you'll have to avoid some Guardians... wait, no, the Guardians are gone. Now it's just gloom and rubble. Once you chat with Hoz and witness a quick, slightly creepy cutscene involving Zelda, you head back to Purah.
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Finally Getting the Paraglider
When you return to Lookout Landing, Purah decides it's time to activate the Skyview Towers. This is the moment. She’ll explain that to map the world, you need to be launched into the stratosphere.
"Oh, by the way," she basically says, "you'll probably die without this."
She hands you the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider. It's a relief. It feels like finally being able to breathe after holding your breath for three hours. The first launch from the Lookout Landing Skyview Tower is a core memory for anyone playing this game. You’re shot up into the air, the music swells, and you deploy that familiar fabric wing.
It’s worth noting that the physics feel slightly different this time. Gravity in Tears of the Kingdom is a bit more insistent, and because the world has so much verticality—with the Depths below and the Sky Islands above—you'll find yourself checking your stamina bar more than ever.
Why Customizing Your Fabric Matters
In the previous game, the paraglider was what it was. You couldn't really change it. This time? It’s a whole different story.
Once you reach Hateno Village, you can visit the Kochi Dye Shop. Sayge, the eccentric owner, can rework your paraglider with different fabrics. This isn't just a "number goes up" mechanic; it’s pure style. But it's also a clever way Nintendo rewarded long-time fans.
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If you have Zelda-themed Amiibos, scanning them can drop exclusive fabrics. For example:
- The Majora's Mask Amiibo gives you a creepy, cool Majora’s Mask fabric.
- The Skyward Sword Amiibo gives you the Sailcloth look.
- Even the new Tears of the Kingdom Link Amiibo grants a specific "Tunic of Memories" style fabric.
You can also earn fabrics through in-game feats. Taking a picture of a specific monster and showing it to Sayge might unlock a pattern based on that creature. It turns the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider into a canvas. It’s a small detail, but when you’re spending 40% of your playtime staring at the back of that fabric while gliding, you want it to look good.
The Stamina Struggle
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: stamina.
The paraglider eats stamina like a hungry Hinox. Early in the game, you'll feel tethered to the ground because you can only glide for about twelve seconds before Link gives up on life and falls.
Pro tip: don't just dump all your Spirit Orbs... sorry, "Light of Blessing" orbs... into Heart Containers. You need at least two full wheels of stamina to make exploring the Sky Islands even remotely tolerable. There are also "Staminoka Bass" and "Endura Carrots" scattered around. Cook them. Always have at least three stamina-restoring meals in your inventory. You will thank yourself when you’re trying to reach a distant island and your green circle starts flashing red.
Using the Paraglider with Ultrahand and Wings
This is where the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider becomes part of a larger ecosystem. In Breath of the Wild, the paraglider was your only aerial tool. Now, it’s just the backup plan.
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You’ll find Zonai Wings scattered across the sky. These are glider-shaped platforms you can stand on. The trick is to ride the Wing until it starts to blink and disappear (they have a limited lifespan), and then deploy your paraglider to finish the journey.
Also, the wind sage’s power—Tulin’s Gust—is a game-changer. Once you complete the Rito Village main quest, you get a literal "boost" button. While you’re gliding, Tulin can blow a gust of wind forward, pushing you faster and further. It’s the single most important upgrade for the paraglider in the entire game. If you’re struggling with travel, go to the northwest part of the map first. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 Rupees. Just go get Tulin.
Common Misconceptions About Gliding
A lot of people think you can't use the paraglider in the Depths because there’s no wind. That’s wrong. While there aren't many natural updrafts in the underground, you can create your own.
Throw a Hylian Pinecone into a fire. It creates a massive, sudden updraft that can launch you high enough to avoid a puddle of gloom or reach a high ledge. It’s a "secret" mechanic that the game mentions in a random loading screen tip, but most people ignore it.
Another thing: the paraglider doesn't protect you from the "Gloom" status, but it does keep you off the ground where the gloom lives. In the Depths, the paraglider is your best friend for scouting Lightroots. You can glide from a high point and see the glow of an unlit Lightroot in the distance, saving you from wandering blindly in the dark.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you’re just starting out or feeling frustrated with your mobility, here is the sequence you should follow.
- Prioritize the "Crisis at Hyrule Castle" quest. Do not wander off to explore shrines until you have spoken to Hoz at the castle and returned to Purah. You need that paraglider.
- Head Northwest immediately. The Rito questline provides Tulin’s power, which makes the Tears of the Kingdom paraglider twice as effective. It's the only sage power that feels truly essential for exploration.
- Upgrade your stamina twice for every one heart upgrade. Hearts are easy to replace with "Hearty" foods, but running out of stamina mid-air is a death sentence.
- Visit Hateno Village early. Even if you don't care about fashion, checking in with the dye shop opens up the customization options that make the game feel more personal.
- Collect Hylian Pinecones. They are everywhere in the snowy regions and near stables. They are basically "instant updraft" buttons when combined with a fire arrow or a campfire.
The paraglider isn't just a tool; it's the key to the entire vertical playground Nintendo built. Once you have it, the world stops being a series of obstacles and starts being a series of launch points.
Focus on getting the paraglider within your first two hours of gameplay. This means ignoring the urge to explore every cave you see on the way to Lookout Landing. Follow the path, talk to Purah, and get your wings. Hyrule is too big to explore on foot, and the real magic of this game happens when you're looking down from 2,000 feet in the air.