How much does a backpack hold?

[Aopy]

I am about to rip my hair out. For the life of me I can not find a table or any sort of information on the capacities of various items. I know I've seen it somewhere but where is another question. I need to know how much a backpack can hold, a sack, saddle bags, etc.

Please help.

Aopy

 

[gamecat]

I am about to rip my hair out. For the life of me I can not find a table or any sort of information on the capacities of various items. I know I've seen it somewhere but where is another question. I need to know how much a backpack can hold, a sack, saddle bags, etc.

Please help.

Aopy

I'd make that a common-sense call; a shortsword could ride in a backpack, a quarterstaff couldn't. So really, you have to determine it yourself.

 

[Chingerspy]

Surely it depends on how much you're willing to let your Munchkins get away with?

Your call man.

 

[Antoine]

I need to know how much a backpack can hold, a sack, saddle bags, etc.

I do not know about D&D backpack, but from real life experience, assume a 1 cubic foot inner capacity for a light back pack, and 2-2 1/2 cubic feet for a heavy one.

2 cubic feet of gold pieces weigh over a ton (2000+ lbs) !
2 cubic feet of water around 125 lbs, still an awesome load.

Assuming a balanced equipment (somme metal stuff, but mostly food, clothes, bedrolls…) I would allow a 30 to 40 lbs per cubic foot average.

Meaning :
• light backpack : 40 lbs max load, more likely 25-30 lbs.
• heavy (regular adventurer) backpack : 100 lbs max load, more likely 60-75 lbs
+ some stuff strapped on/hanging around the backpack.

The fabric probably won't stand much more anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

[thalmin]

Table 7.8 in the 3E PHB lists capacity for containers. Was this dropped in 3.5?

 

[the Jester]

The 1e character sheet pack had container capacities in it; I'd ask diaglo to check for you.

 

[thalmin]

The 1e character sheet pack had container capacities in it; I'd ask diaglo to check for you.

Small pouch or purse - 1/4 cu. ft. - 25 g.p. capacity
Large pouch - 1/2 cu ft. - 50 g.p.
Small sack or tied shirt - 1 cu. ft. - 100 g.p.
Backpack - 3 cu. ft. - 300 g.p.
Large Sack - 4 cu. ft. - 400 g.p.

 

[thalmin]

Second edition had different values. From Table 50 of the 2E PHB:
Backpack - 50lbs. - 3'x2'x1'
Belt Pouch, large - 8 lbs. - 6"x8"x2"
Saddle Bags, large - 30 lbs. - 18"x1'x6"

 

[thalmin]

From the 3E PHB, Table 7-8


Backpack 1 cu. ft.

Barrel 10 cu. ft.

Basket 2 cu ft.

Bucket 1 cu. ft.

Chest 2 cu. ft.

Pouch, belt 1/5 cu. ft.

Sack 1 cu. ft.

Saddlebags 5 cu. ft.

Spell component pouch 1/8 cu. ft.

 

[Antoine]

Table 7.8 in the 3E PHB lists capacity for containers. Was this dropped in 3.5?

Yes. They probably assumed that listing capacities in cubic feet didn't help much since all of D&D equipment is measured in pounds.

3E backpack had a 1 cubic foot capacity.