I understand that art assets and models may not allow this, but in previous entries to Bethesda's RPG lineage such as Morrowind, Oblivion, and both recent Fallouts, I found myself sorely missing the option to wear a traveler's backpack. I know its superficial and may be a niche request, but I'd love it if in some spare time some developers could design a backpack for players such as myself. I couldn't find any decent examples in mods available for Oblivion, but there are some absolutely outstanding examples of how a backpack can look and have a function in Fallout 3 and New Vegas. While I'd be happy just to have an explanation for how I'm scuttling so much loot in my bare arms, such referenced mods allowed backpacks to augment the total weight a player could support as well.

Specifically I can reference a mod on the Fallout: New Vegas nexus which was hosted by someone under the name "ColdLiquid" and his Atomic Mods - Backpacks (if you're curious). The backpack just fits the character, even in power armor. Roaming the wasteland with a heavy pack on you just adds to my personal experience, though I know it may not for quite a few other people (like capes and helms in an MMO). Which is why I suggest it optionally if it can even be considered at all given the progress Skyrim has already made. This is simply a request, and one that I know could be done to a standard if taken up by Bethesda rather than a group of (however talented) modders. The fact that they could serve a function rather than simply paint a pretty picture is nice too... but a pretty picture would suit me just as well.

It just bugs me, you know? It takes from my suspension of disbelief when I strip five guys of entire, heavy suits of armor and run free-willy all the way across the world doing other quests until I'm simply encumbered by air. I understand Bethesda can't do everything, but I don't know. Does anyone else feel this way? I wants me sum back-to-the-packz... even if optionally. Thanks.

I had no idea that his meant so much to some people. :spotted owl:

Me nether...

Backpacks are only aestetic...and have no function... But it could be as a clothing type of thing...

Well you shouldn't be surprised with the craziness over spears and the travel network.

However, it wouldn't be a bad idea but I think it will need to stay to the realm of mods or perhaps if BGS adds in a hardcoe mode, we can have it there.

Yay to backpacks! And saddle bags as well. A cosmetic but nice addition.

Deffinently I agree, some sort of backpack or saddlebag implemented would make the understanding of why you can carry so much loot or weight instead of it being just their and that its possible.

So he means backpacks only for cosmetic purposes?

Ah well it's just nice because the Elder Scrolls has the ability to just svck me in and when I see myself just taking hundreds of pounds of junk and transporting it in what must be my loin cloth it just takes away from that sense of "being there" for me. It would be an addition that would make me really happy but I will get by if they don't (and probably won't) provide the answer to my prayers. But if Todd Howard or someone else awesome in Beth ends up reading this.. at least there was that =) I won't cry myself to sleep over it.

Make a rare item. The Backpack of Bottomless Pockets. An enchanted backpack that never fills no matter how much you put in it. +2000 carrying capacity

Not only for cosmetics. Add 50 lbs total (60 lbs actually) carry ability but suffer -1 to strength and agility (given the FONV style). For horses, a normal saddle gives no penalties but no bonuses, and it comes with the horse. At a stable you can choose to upgrade the saddle, but only have one upgrade active at any time. Upgrades are:
* Armor mounts - provides the mount with armor, making it less easy to get killed.
* Saddle bags - adds 150 lbs of additional storage space.
* Cart mount - adds possibility to attach a cart, which greatly increases carrying but slows down the horse (the cart, not the cart mount).
* Double saddle - adds extra seating for a follower.

As in FONV you should have two follower slots, but horse and cart will count as two "followers". A human follower can carry in the range of 200-250 lbs but can fight for you. A cart 500-1000, but can't fight, obviously A summoned follower may be a better fighter, but can't carry anything. So still the two slot limitation from FONV, but with greater flexibility on how to utilize them, with never becoming uber anything.

For bags I see two kinds. One that allows you to carry more items, and one that allows you to hook up with a cart. If you have it on, you can "activate" the mounting point of the cart (rather than the back point which accesses its inventory) to attach yourself. While attached, you cannot sprint, turn without moving, jump, or strafe, plus it will reduce your normal running speed. Hit "activate" again to "dismount" the cart. Hand carts might be useful in the early looting game, as horses and wagons would be far too costly to obtain at this point.

The only rational explanation has been magical storage, a backpack would provide purely nonmagic characters with an explanation too.

PC Player? ----------> Mod
Console Player? ------------> Not gonna be there. Deal with it.