[RPG] Does the bulk value of items in the backpack count against the limit

encumbranceequipmentpathfinder-2eweight

My Pathfinder 2e character has a bulk limit of 7. I've purchased an adventurer's pack, which costs 2 bulk but includes a backpack, which can carry up to 4 bulk.

The description of the backpack (Core Rulebook, pg.287) says:

A backpack holds up to 4 Bulk of items. If you're carrying or stowing the pack rather than wearing it on your back, its bulk is light instead of negligible.

I'm not sure how this interacts with my bulk. I can foresee two options:

  1. I can still only carry up to 7 bulk. My backpack can hold 4 bulk byitself, but when I carry or wear the backpack I have to hold its 4 bulk too. It seems like in this case there is no real benefit to a backpack, unless you have to justify how you are carrying things.
  2. While wearing the backpack, I can carry up to 11 bulk (7 from my limit, 4 from the backpack). This makes the backpack useful, but I don't see this interpretation supported in the rules.

So how does the backpack work? Does the bulk value of the items in my backpack count against my bulk limit?

Best Answer

The Core Rulebook Errata has modified this section of the rules. Under Changes to Make Bulk Less Restrictive (Errata Update 1.0 pg 3, Core Rulebook pg 287):

“The first 2 Bulk of items in your backpack don’t count against your Bulk limits.”

Therefore, the backpack can hold 4 bulk worth of items, and the first 2 bulk don't apply to your encumbered or maximum bulk.