Do I need a backpack?
To bring things back from a night out, yes. The game asks you to pick one each time you leave, and without one you can't bring much back.
Probably Stolen Backpacks and Storage
A backpack is what you carry when you go out at night: each evening the game asks you to pick one to take, and the Mentor warns you won't bring much back to the store without one. Storage bays are where you keep things in the shop: some hold items, Machine Bays hold machines, and Smuggler's Bays are disguised to hide their contents from inspection.
Backpacks and storage in Probably Stolen: the short answer
For what the game is and every guide we publish, start at the Probably Stolen guide hub.
- Going out: choose a backpack, or go without and bring back little.
- In the shop: storage bays for items, Machine Bays for machines, two specialist bays for guns and chemistry gear.
- Illegal goods: Smuggler's Bays are built to hide them from inspectors.
Probably Stolen inventory at a glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Backpacks | Nine bags, from a Fanny Pack to the Large Military Backpack. Source: In-game text. |
| Going out | You pick one backpack to take each night, or go without. Source: In-game text. |
| Item storage | Makeshift Storage Bay, Storage Bay and Storage Bay (Extended). Source: In-game text. |
| Machine storage | Machine Bay and Machine Bay (Expanded). Source: In-game text. |
| Hidden storage | Smuggler's Bay, Smuggler's Bay (Modified) and Mini Smuggler's Bay. Source: In-game text. |
| Specialist storage | Gunsmith Storage Bay and Chemist Storage Bay. Source: In-game text. |
Probably Stolen backpacks: which bags there are and why you need one
When you head out after closing, the game asks you to "Select a Backpack To Take", or to "Go Outside Without A Backpack". The Mentor's note on after-hours activity explains why it matters: you can always return to the Dumping Grounds to scavenge, but you won't be able to bring much back to the store without a backpack. How scavenging works is in our beginner's guide to the Dumping Grounds.
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Fanny Pack -
Satchel (Small) -
Kid's Backpack -
Kid's Backpack (Large) -
Backpack (Small) -
Backpack (Basic) -
Backpack (Large)
| Backpack | Game description |
|---|---|
| Fanny Pack | — |
| Satchel (Small) | — |
| Kid's Backpack | — |
| Kid's Backpack (Large) | — |
| Backpack (Small) | A compact, well-worn backpack with reinforced stitching. Lightweight but roomy enough for essential supplies. |
| Backpack (Basic) | — |
| Backpack (Army-Issue) | A heavy duty backpack designed for military use; some soldiers wear it in front as extra armor. |
| Backpack (Large) | — |
| Large Military Backpack | A heavy duty backpack designed for military use; some soldiers wear it in front as extra armor. |
The names tell you the relative sizes (Small, Large, Kid's), but the game doesn't print how many items each holds, so this page doesn't rank them by capacity.
Storage bays: Storage, Machine and Smuggler's Bays
Storage bays are the containers you keep in the shop, and some are split into storage tabs.
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Storage Bay -
Machine Bay -
Smuggler's Bay -
Gunsmith Storage Bay -
Chemist Storage Bay
| Bay | What it is for (game description) |
|---|---|
| Makeshift Storage Bay | An improvised bay for storing items. Can't store other containers or machines. |
| Storage Bay | A standard bay for storing items. |
| Storage Bay (Extended) | An expanded bay for storing items. |
| Machine Bay | A standard bay for storing machines. |
| Machine Bay (Expanded) | An expanded bay for storing machines. |
| Smuggler's Bay | A small disguised bay designed to hide its contents from inspection. |
| Smuggler's Bay (Modified) | A disguised bay, modified to allow for more storage. |
| Mini Smuggler's Bay | A disguised bay; this one is mini. |
| Gunsmith Storage Bay | For firearms and modifications. Can't store other containers or machines. |
| Chemist Storage Bay | For chemistry equipment and supplies. Can't store other containers or machines. |
Machines go in Machine Bays. The standard bays store items; the Makeshift and specialist bays can't hold other containers or machines.
Smuggler's Bays and inspections. All three are built to hide what's inside from inspection. The game's Mentor also notes that some officers don't search every container, so how much a hidden bay protects you can vary; how inspections work is in our Probably Stolen security guide.
Specialist bays. The Gunsmith and Chemist Storage Bays are named for those two trades; see the starting scenarios table for what each start brings, our guns guide and our Chemist start notes.
The locked Supply Crates and Evidence Locker are a different kind of container; they are covered in our lockers guide.
Version notes and limits
This page doesn't give how much each backpack or bay holds, what they cost or where each is sold: the game doesn't print container sizes, and we haven't confirmed sellers for every bag and bay. It also doesn't say whether inspectors check what you carry. We will add capacities if we can confirm them, and update the page if a patch changes storage.
Probably Stolen backpack and storage FAQ
What backpacks are there?
Nine: Fanny Pack, Satchel (Small), Kid's Backpack, Kid's Backpack (Large), Backpack (Small), Backpack (Basic), Backpack (Army-Issue), Backpack (Large) and Large Military Backpack.
What is the Smuggler's Bay for?
Hiding goods from inspection. There are three: the standard, Modified and Mini Smuggler's Bay.
Can I store machines?
Yes, in a Machine Bay or Machine Bay (Expanded). Makeshift and specialist bays can't hold machines.
Where do I put guns and chemistry gear?
In the Gunsmith Storage Bay and Chemist Storage Bay, the specialist bays for firearms and for chemistry equipment and supplies.
Sources and version history for this guide: Probably Stolen sources and versions.
Spot an error or a post-patch change? See how we label evidence and handle corrections in the Editorial Policy.