We have been big fans of Kyle and his work for a while now so it’s great to see him collaborate with the almighty White’s Boots. The finished product looks incredible and is super super limited so if I was you I’d grab a pair NOW!

We caught up with Kyle to chat about the project…

DicE: Yes yes mate! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. Tell us a little about yourself and where you're from.

My name’s Kyle Jakubowicz. I run Heartland MFG out of my garage a couple of miles outside Chicago, Illinois, where I make saddle bags and other odds and ends for old Harleys. I’m originally from a small town just south of the Wisconsin border.

How long have you been making bags and doing stud work? When did you decide to go all in?

I’ve been making bags and doing stud work for six or seven years. Mostly just for myself and friends until last year, when I took the plunge, quit my union job, and decided to do this full-time.

I’m a tinkerer, and I like trying to do everything myself. I was never really happy with what was out there. We spend so much time and money building our bikes exactly how we want them, then throw some plasticky garbage on them when we hit the road. I wanted to make gear that actually complements what we’re all doing.

Alright, what are you riding?

I’ve got a 1949 Panhead chopper.

How did the collaboration with White’s Boots come about?

White’s reached out after seeing the stud work and style of my saddle bags. I pull a lot of my inspiration from old Harley bags, boots, and belts that people from that era personalised themselves. They sent me the boots and basically told me to go nuts. Super rad.

Tell us about the collection. How many pairs are there, and what makes each one different?

Yeah, it’s super limited—only 25 pairs. Every pair is different. White’s chose the base style, whether it was the shaft height, leather, or stitching, and I took it from there, deciding what would complement each boot with different jewel colours and stud patterns.

What was it like working with a heritage American brand like White’s?

It’s pretty unreal, honestly. I got married in a pair of White’s boots long before any of this, so I’ve always been a big fan. To work with a brand that’s been doing this for as long as they have—and has stayed true to what they do—is a real honour. On top of that, the guys behind it, Braden and Ben, are just good people. I made some good friends through the whole thing.

What’s next for Heartland MFG?

Man, who knows? I’m just trying to have fun with it. I’ve got some cool projects in the works, like stock-ish Knuckle-era bags and a few other things I’ve been trying to dial in. I’d love to do more boots, too. And I’ve got a baby girl due any day now, so we’ll see what the future holds.

Check out the full White’s x Heartland MFG collection - HERE