I have this strange cycle when it comes to purses. For months, I’ll enjoy carrying a smaller purse so I don’t have to worry about loading it up with junk and hurting my shoulders. Then, like clockwork, I seek out a bigger handbag to fit my planner and a book or magazine while I run errands and go to appointments.

Colorado-based English Retreads features bags of all sizes for both women & men, along with nifty accessories. Featured in major magazines of all types (Us, Cosmo Girl, Natural Solutions, Fitness … etc.), these totes & purses have serious eco-credentials:

• Handmade in Colorado
• Made from vintage rubber from reclaimed truck inner tubes
• Vegan (awesome alternative to leather!)
• One-of-a-kind
• Company offsets 100% of their carbon emissions via Native Energy

“Each new design begins with the idea of striving to keep more waste out of the landfill by creating fashionable, yet sturdy items out of recycled materials,” says English Retreads‘ founder Heather English says. “And by turning recycling into a bold fashion statement, we at English Retreads can empower consumers with an ecologically sound alternative to animal products without compromising style or durability. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. I love designing a unique product that I feel good about, and that people can feel good about buying.”

In the midst of my bigger bag trend, I’ve been carrying the English Retreads Large Beetle handbag (shown above). If you are looking for space, this is your purse! Taking it out of the box, I was taken aback by just how huge it was – and its weight. Keep in mind these are made from recycled inner tubes, so they have some heft to them. Thanks to that heft, they are also long-lasting – my Beetle still looks brand new.

English Retreads recently began lining its popular styles in durable color fabric (shown below). My Beetle featured the apple green shade, which was a great contrast to the all-black purse. While toting this bag, I only had it full once … and there was still room for a bit more. This is one seriously spacious Beetle! I really enjoyed its versatility and strength, but I will definitely opt for a smaller size next time.

Bottom Line: English Retreads rocks – no buts about it! When you order though, make sure you double-check the measurements of your desired handbag: more inches = more weight.