Encumbrance (Skyrim)

Encumbrance represented by, affects the number of items a character can carry in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Maximum carrying capacity is a crucial element of all Elder Scrolls games, Skyrim included.

Effect on movement
The weight of an object is displayed within the Item Menu. The default carrying limit is 300. Exceeding this limit causes the Dragonborn to become over-encumbered, preventing them from running or sprinting. Additionally, over-encumbered individuals cannot use Carriages and cannot Fast Travel unless riding a horse.

Means of improvement
Carrying capacity can be improved by a number of means:
 * Leveling up Stamina increases carrying capacity by 5 per level.
 * The Steed Stone adds 100 and negates the weight of worn armor.
 * The "Extra Pockets" Pickpocket Perk increases carrying capacity by 100.
 * The "Unhindered" Light Armor Perk reduces the weight of worn Light Armor to zero.
 * The "Conditioning" Heavy Armor Perk reduces the weight of worn Heavy Armor to zero.
 * Thieves Guild Outfit adds 20 (or 35 if upgraded after completing Scoundrel's Folly).
 * Guild Master's Armor adds 50.
 * Taking a Fortify Carry Weight potion temporarily increases carrying capacity by an amount proportional to the strength of the potion.
 * The Werewolf Beast Form power temporarily adds a static 1000 carry weight limit.
 * Followers and Spouses can be used to carry extra items, although they too have their own limit that cannot be exceeded.

Movement

 * Drawing a bow will add a small amount of speed when over-encumbered. This is enhanced by the "Ranger" Archery Perk, which allows faster movement with a drawn bow.
 * Walking forward and using a melee power attack while over-encumbered helps the player gain additional ground, making for faster travel while encumbered.
 * The Whirlwind Sprint Shout can be used while over-encumbered to speed up travel.
 * Physics-carry can be used to carry a heavy item (or stack of items) if the Dragonborn would be over-encumbered by carrying it normally. Physics-carry the item(s) in front of the Drabonborn by dropping the item(s) (in a stack if need be) and holding "Activate" on it. Physics-carried objects do not add to encumbrance weight, so they can sprint without losing any items. This is particularly useful when hauling Dragon Bones or Firewood.
 * Another way to deal with over encumbrance is to place unneccesary items on a dead body before raising it as a minion, this will allow you to use it as a "packmule" to carry your extra items for a time. Fast traveling to any location after the minion is raised will cause them to appear and disentigrate as soon as you appear at the location.
 * Another useful method is to purchase any house, and store your items in your chest. the items will stay in the chest forever, unless you take them out.

Fast Travel

 * Normally, Fast Travel is disabled while over-encumbered. However this does not apply if riding a horse, making for easier trips back to sell carried goods, especially in towns which allow horses inside the walls.
 * Another option is to dump unlimited amount of heavy equipment into a corpse and reanimate it using a Spell, Staff or power, such as the Resurrection power gained by using The Ritual Stone. The player can then fast travel to any destination and the corpse follows. If the time it took is enough for the spell to run its course, the corpse will 'die' again upon reaching the destination, and the player can loot its body for all the equipment they gave it initially.
 * If the Dragonborn lacks a reanimation ability, simply fling the corpse ahead by holding Use to lift it, then dual-casting Lightning Bolt. Take care not to fling it into water!
 * Drinking a "Draught of Strength" or any other type of fortify carry weight potion and fast traveling before it wears off is a viable option, as it temporarily increases your carrying weight cap. This is similar to the second tip in this section, in that it will allow you to activate fast travel, but when you reach your destination, it will have worn off.