If you’ve been scaling the unforgiving slopes of Mount Kami in Cairn, you know that every piece of gear matters. While most equipment in the game serves a practical purpose—better grip, increased stamina, or improved warmth—there’s one item that’s purely cosmetic but absolutely worth hunting down. The glow-in-the-dark gloves are one of the game’s most memorable collectibles, and finding them unlocks the “All That Glitters” trophy or achievement.
But here’s the catch: these gloves are tucked away in one of the toughest climbs you’ll face early in your journey, and they’re completely missable if you progress too far without grabbing them. Don’t worry, though—this guide will walk you through exactly where to find the glowing gloves, how to navigate the brutal crystal cave, and what to expect once you finally get your hands on them.
What Are the Glow-In-The-Dark Gloves?
The glowing gloves in Cairn are a cosmetic accessory that make Aava’s hands emit a soft blue glow during nighttime climbs. They don’t improve your grip, they don’t add stamina, and they won’t make you climb faster. What they do offer is a visual reward for tackling one of the game’s earliest optional challenges—and let’s be honest, they look pretty cool.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, acquiring these gloves also unlocks the All That Glitters bronze trophy on PlayStation or achievement on PC. For completionists and trophy hunters, this is a must-grab item, especially since it’s one of the easier missable collectibles to accidentally skip.
When and Where to Find the Glowing Gloves?
The glowing gloves are located in The Village, a major story area you’ll reach naturally a few hours into your climb. The Village is impossible to miss—it’s part of the main progression path—but the crystal cave where the gloves are hidden is entirely optional.
Here’s the timeline:
- You’ll encounter The Village after completing The Waterfall section
- Look for a large tree above a waterfall and stone Troglodyte statues
- The area has multiple cave openings carved into the mountainside
- The gloves are inside the yellow crystal cave, also called the green crystal cave by some players due to the ambient lighting
Critical warning: Once you leave The Village and progress to the next major area (The Standing Stones or The Child), you cannot return to collect the gloves without starting a new save file. Make sure you explore thoroughly before moving on.
How To Reach The Crystal Cave in The Village?
Getting to the cave entrance is straightforward, but the climb inside is where things get challenging. Here’s the step-by-step route:
Step 1: Locate the Cave Entrance
After entering The Village area, you’ll see multiple doorways carved into the cliff face. Ignore the highest openings for now and focus on the second opening from the bottom. This leads to the crystal-filled chamber.
Step 2: Enter and Identify the Crystal Room
Once inside, you’ll pass through a corridor and eventually reach a circular room absolutely packed with glowing yellow crystals jutting from the walls. This is your target location. The room is visually striking and hard to miss—if you see the golden glow, you’re in the right place.
At this point, you might notice a doorway behind a Troglodyte statue. Go through it to reach the crystal cave proper.
Step 3: Prepare for the Climb
Before you start climbing, take a moment to prepare. The crystal cave is widely considered one of the hardest early-game climbs in Cairn. Here’s what experienced players recommend:
- Use chalk: Apply chalk to improve your grip. This climb has numerous weak holds, and chalk makes a huge difference.
- Eat food with grip buffs: If you have any cooked meals that boost grip or stamina, consume them before starting.
- Enable visual aids: In the accessibility settings, you can toggle hold strength indicators. This helps identify which grips are stable.
- Plan short sequences: Don’t try to rush to the top. Plan 4-5 moves at a time, always aiming for a rest point or solid ledge.
Navigating the Crystal Cave Climb
The climb itself is unforgiving. Unlike earlier sections of the game where handholds are generous and forgiving, the crystal cave demands precision, stamina management, and patience. Here’s how to approach it:
Choose Your Route Wisely
Players report success using different routes through the cave:
- Left wall approach: Some climbers find the narrowest section on the left side easier to manage
- Right side route: Others prefer staying on the right and working their way up through the alcove
- Back wall method: A third option is to climb the back wall (facing you as you enter) and keep right near the top
There’s no single “correct” path—experiment to see which route feels most comfortable for your playstyle. The key is finding sections with stable holds where you can pause and recover stamina.
Watch Your Stamina Bar
This cannot be stressed enough: <a href=”/cairn-nmf-cy-complete-guide-walkthrough-for-mount-kami/”>stamina management is critical in Cairn</a>, and the crystal cave punishes poor planning. If you see your stamina dropping below 50%, look for the nearest ledge or stable grip to hang from and recover. Don’t push through exhaustion—falling here means starting the climb from scratch.
Expect to Fall (A Lot)
Most players report falling multiple times before successfully reaching the top. This is normal and part of the learning process. Each attempt teaches you which holds are safe and which routes work best. If you’re playing on Explorer difficulty, you have the rewind feature to undo falls, which can save significant time.
What You’ll Find at the Top: Glowing Gloves Location?
Once you successfully navigate the crystal cave climb, you’ll reach a small resting spot with a mattress. This is a safe zone where you can catch your breath. From here, continue forward through the cave passages.
You’ll pass through:
- A small bedroom area
- A section with waterfalls
- A final room at the far end
In this final room, you’ll find the glow-in-the-dark gloves sitting on a ledge or hanging from a pole, depending on the exact spawn point. Important: Some players report that the gloves can be hidden by the backpack UI that opens automatically when you approach loot. Make sure you manually pick them up even if you’ve already looted the nearby backpack (which contains chalk and chocolate).
Once you grab the gloves, the “All That Glitters” trophy/achievement will unlock immediately.
Bonus Loot in the Area
While you’re here, don’t miss these additional items:
- Backpack: Contains chalk and chocolate (useful consumables)
- Troglodyte Map: Found in the bathing room after breaking through the limestone rocks. This map is incredibly helpful for navigating later sections and locating the three doll parts scattered across the mountain
- Bivouac: A save point in the bathing room where you can rest and cook meals
What Do the Glowing Gloves Actually Do?
Let’s set expectations: the glowing gloves are purely cosmetic. When you equip them (you can toggle them on and off from your backpack menu), Aava’s hands will emit a soft blue glow during nighttime climbs or in dark cave sections. This can make it slightly easier to see where your hands are positioned, but the effect is minimal.
The real value is:
- The trophy/achievement unlock
- A visible marker of your accomplishment when other players see your character
- A reminder that you conquered one of the game’s toughest early challenges
For more tips on collecting other unique items and trophies, check out our guide on <a href=”/how-to-make-an-ultimate-infusion-in-cairn/”>how to make an Ultimate Infusion</a>.
Common Mistakes When Hunting the Gloves?
Based on player reports and community discussions, here are the most frequent mistakes people make:
1. Leaving The Village Too Early
This is the #1 reason players miss the gloves. Once you progress past The Village to The Standing Stones or The Child, you cannot return. Always explore every cave and doorway before advancing the story.
2. Not Using Chalk
The crystal cave climb is significantly harder without chalk. Many players attempt it with dry hands and wonder why they keep slipping. Always apply chalk before starting.
3. Ignoring the Backpack UI
When you approach loot in Cairn, the backpack UI opens automatically. Some players have reported that this UI blocks the prompt to pick up the glowing gloves, causing them to think the gloves aren’t there. Make sure you manually select the gloves from the loot menu.
4. Rushing the Climb
Patience is everything in Cairn. Players who treat the crystal cave like an action game sequence inevitably fall. Take your time, plan your route, and rest frequently.
Alternative Methods and Difficulty Settings
If you’re struggling with the crystal cave climb, here are some options:
Lower the Difficulty
Cairn offers multiple difficulty settings. On Explorer difficulty, you get access to a rewind feature that lets you undo falls. This doesn’t make the climb easier per se, but it removes the penalty for failure. You can switch difficulty at any time from the pause menu.
Use Consumables Strategically
<a href=”/how-to-make-an-alcoholic-cocktail-in-cairn/”>Cooking and crafting in Cairn</a> unlock powerful buffs. Before attempting the crystal cave, consider crafting:
- Meals that boost grip
- Infusions that restore stamina faster
- Food that increases your maximum stamina pool
Watch Route Videos
The Cairn community has uploaded numerous successful climb routes to YouTube and Reddit. Watching someone else’s successful route can help you identify holds and rest points you might have missed.
Why This Trophy Matters for Completionists?
The “All That Glitters” trophy is part of Cairn’s larger collection of 53 trophies (54 on PlayStation with the Platinum). While not the hardest trophy to unlock, it’s one of the most commonly missed due to its location in an optional area and the difficulty of the climb required to reach it.
For players aiming for 100% completion, this is a non-negotiable stop. The gloves are also tied to several community challenges and speedrun categories, making them a point of pride in the Cairn player community.
Expert Tips for First-Time Climbers
Here’s what seasoned Cairn players recommend for anyone attempting the crystal cave for the first time:
- Save before entering: Use the bivouac outside the crystal cave to create a save point
- Stock up on consumables: Bring extra chalk, food, and water
- Enable hold indicators: Use accessibility features to see grip strength
- Start on the left: Most players find the left wall easier for the initial ascent
- Don’t be afraid to retreat: If your stamina is low, climb back down to the entrance and reset rather than risking a fall
Conclusion
From a pure gameplay perspective, no—the glow-in-the-dark gloves in Cairn don’t provide any mechanical advantage. But that’s not really the point. This item represents one of Cairn’s core design philosophies: rewarding exploration, persistence, and player skill with memorable moments rather than just stat boosts.
Climbing the crystal cave is genuinely challenging. When you finally reach the top, grab those gloves, and see your hands glowing blue against the mountain darkness, there’s a real sense of accomplishment. You’ve proven you understand the game’s systems, you’ve mastered the climbing mechanics, and you’ve earned your place among the climbers who refused to take the easy route.