The Gear Backpack is also known in my household as "the bucket". We have the 90 litre version, so it's a big bucket. I can't remember exactly how the term bucket became established, but you can throw more or less anything into the top of the Gear Backpack (like a bucket) and it never actually gets full. Some similarities to a bucket can also be seen in the fact that the Gear Backpack - when not in use - is relatively bulky, as it is voluminous and rather difficult to compress. I usually use a little force to stuff it into the cupboard when I want it out of the way.
However, it often just sits in the aisle waiting for the next use. As long as the liners are not wet, the ski boots remain in the Gear Backpack. The lower compartment is designed for boots and is lined with a layer of plastic so that neither dirt nor melted snow can leak out. The large compartment at the top has space for your helmet, gloves, extra jacket, etc. space. There are also two smaller, flat compartments, which I don't usually use, but which are probably handy for stowing smaller items on longer journeys.
