Starfield is supposed to be Skyrim in space, and it would not be a typical Bethesda game without encumbrance mechanics. As you travel the galaxy you will pick up a lot of stuff and eventually be overburdened. This Starfield guide will detail how you can increase your carrying capacity, so you can pick up every last water bottle and file folder.
Weight Lifting Skill
This is the primary method for increasing your carry weight. It is classified as a novice Skill and so is available from the outset to put a skill point into and learn. Homesteader and Long Hauler Backgrounds automatically learn it as well. Each rank of this will increase your carrying capacity beginning with ten kilograms, then twenty-five kilograms, and fifty kilograms, all the way to a maximum of one hundred kilograms at rank 4. The Challenge criteria are clearly detailed and involve sprinting a specified distance while bearing at least 75% of maximum load capacity.
Consumables
Certain edible or drinkable consumables will temporarily boost your carrying capacity. Rather than use them randomly, save them for when you are already overburdened and need to fast travel in a pinch. UC Battlemeal Multipacks grant an additional eight kilos for eight minutes upon consumption.
Companions And Crew Members
You can use your companions as pack mules of a sort, and have them carry stuff on your behalf. Their carrying weight is dependent on their Skills and stats as well, with some also possessing the Weight Lifting Skill. Use the “Let’s trade gear” option to accomplish offloading your inventory.
Ship Cargo Hold
Your ship is always a hop, skip, and a jump away. Use the ship’s onboard Cargo Hold to squirrel away your bits and bobs for trading in at kiosks and vendors. To do this, simply open your inventory when aboard your ship, or make use of the Cargo Hold menu behind the pilot’s seat. The Cargo Hold has the advantage of allowing for remote interaction, for example while offloading goods for sale, or crafting, or research.
Outpost Cargo Storage
Once you have constructed an Outpost, you can hoard even more stuff that you do not feel like letting go of, in the storage bays.
Those are all the ways to increase your carry weight so that you can carry more items while exploring in Starfield.