Plays like a pro. Means something.

Performance you feel. Design you remember.

Buy the Apache Look inside

Native American owned.

USA Pickleball approved

The TRIBE Apache pickleball paddle with cream geometric artwork and red accents
15.5mm thickness 16.5in length 7.5in width 7.8–8.1oz weight Toray T700 + graphene Thermoformed · edgeless
Built for players who want more

Power without the one-dimensional feel.

A power-oriented paddle for intermediate and advanced players who want more pop, aggressive spin, extra reach and quick hands without sacrificing balance.

Intermediate to advanced Power oriented Elongated shape Tournament legal
A player striking a pickleball with the TRIBE Apache on an outdoor court
01The Apache in play
Engineered, not just decorated

Look inside the Apache.

This is more than a graphic wrapped around a paddle. Move through the Apache layer by layer, from its Toray carbon face to the thermoformed structure underneath.

The Toray T700 carbon fiber face of the TRIBE Apache
Close-up of the granulated graphene texture across the paddle face
The Apache with its 8 mm polymer honeycomb core and foam-injected perimeter exposed
The Apache showing thermoformed unibody construction running through the handle
01 / Surface

Toray T700 carbon fiber

A genuine Toray T700 carbon face engineered for responsive power, consistent feel and durable performance.

The point of the paddle

Designed with purpose. Engineered to perform.

TRIBE is Native American-owned, founded by Jim Metcalf, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The company exists to do two things at once and compromise on neither: engineer a paddle for serious play and give it a design language you will not find anywhere else.

TRIBE brings more Native visibility to a sport that is growing fast, and every player who picks one up carries it onto the court.

NATIVE AMERICAN OWNED

TRIBE donates 10% of profits from every Apache sold to the Native American Rights Fund

The numbers behind the feel.

USA Pickleball approved · View the listing
15.5mm
Thickness
16.5in
Length
7.5in
Width
8.0oz
Average weight · 7.8–8.1 oz
Surface

Toray T700 carbon + graphene

A genuine Toray T700 carbon face under a proprietary fine-texture graphene spray, applied evenly across the face and engineered for aggressive spin and durable, consistent ball bite.

Core

8 mm polymer honeycomb

An 8 mm polymer honeycomb cell structure surrounded by injected perimeter foam, engineered to add stability, power and a larger effective sweet spot.

Build

Thermoformed unibody

A thermoformed continuous structure with carbon reinforcement through the handle, engineered for rigidity, connected feel and powerful energy transfer.

Thickness
15.5 mm
Length
16.5 in
Width
7.5 in
Weight
7.8–8.1 oz (avg. ~8.0 oz)
Handle length
5.5 in
Grip circumference
4.25 in
Grip
White leatherette
Face
Toray T700 carbon fiber
Texture
Granulated graphene
Core
Polymer honeycomb
Honeycomb cell
8 mm
Construction
Thermoformed unibody
Perimeter
Foam injected
Handle
Carbon reinforced
Edge
Edgeless
Included
TRIBE paddle cover
USA Pickleball
Approved 19 Mar 2025
Designed in
Manassas, Virginia
Edgeless by design

No edge guard. All paddle.

Most paddles frame the hitting surface with a separate plastic edge guard. The Apache doesn’t. Its thermoformed structure runs clean to the perimeter, leaving more of the face available to play and eliminating a separate edge guard that can loosen or rattle.

More playing surfaceThe face extends to the edge, so more of the paddle is available to play with.
Quick through the airNo bulky guard adding drag or perimeter weight, so your hands stay fast at the net.
Nothing to rattle looseNo glued-on plastic edge guard to peel, buzz or replace.
Close-up of the Apache's edgeless perimeter, TRIBE wordmark and USA Pickleball approved mark
02Perimeter detail, no edge guard
Verified customer reviews

300+ Apache paddles sold

Once you start getting really into pickleball, you know you need to get a legit paddle. This paddle has been so much better than my entry-level paddles. It has a light feel, good responsiveness, and wicked spin control. Highly recommend!
Kevin Q.Verified buyer

I saw TRIBE Pickleball at a tournament in Savannah, Georgia, and bought a paddle there. The rest is history. The paddle is over the top when it comes to feel and added control. I hit hard and resisted a lot of the dink game, but this paddle brought those elements to me big time. The ability to finesse the ball where you want it to go is helped so much by the feel and touch of this paddle. Thank you, TRIBE. The paddle made me better!

Keith W.Verified buyer

I play pickleball pretty often (3 to 4 days a week) and my paddles typically last a year, so it’s definitely an investment to get one of the more expensive paddles, and this one is worth the money! I did replace the grip as the white can get a little dirty, but I love how the designs of these paddles stand out on the court.

Maria F.Verified buyer

I was previously a tennis player and picked up pickleball recently. I love the weight and handle length of this paddle. It’s made my transition so much easier. Compared to other paddles on the market of similar quality this is a great value!

Sandra S.Verified buyer

This paddle has really elevated my game, and makes me look good doing it! Everyone always stops me to ask where I got it.

Logan M.Verified buyer
Close detail of the Apache paddle face: crossed arrow forms, concentric circles and hatched line work in ochre and gray on cream
The face is not decoration

Not a graphic. A heritage.

The Apache began with something deeply personal to TRIBE founder Jim Metcalf: a lifelong appreciation for Native American art, its patterns, craftsmanship and unmistakable visual language. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a longtime collector of Native art, Jim chose Apache-inspired design for TRIBE’s first paddle because of the beauty and distinction he had admired for years.

The result was never meant to blend in. The Apache carries that inspiration onto the court through a design intended to be recognized from across the net, wrapped around a paddle engineered every bit as seriously as it was designed.

The founder

One collector’s eye, brought onto the court.

Jim Metcalf founded TRIBE Pickleball in January 2024. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a longtime collector and admirer of Native American art.

He was drawn to pickleball and saw an opening: a paddle that could carry serious modern engineering and a genuinely distinctive identity at the same time. Jim saw an opportunity to bring more Native visibility to a sport he loved.

TRIBE’s first paddle, the Apache, launched in April 2024. More paddles and products are planned, but paddles will stay the core of what TRIBE makes.

Jim MetcalfFounder, TRIBE Pickleball · Tawodi, Inc.
Jim Metcalf, founder of TRIBE Pickleball, photographed against a dark geometric backdrop
03Jim Metcalf, founder
The TRIBE Apache resting on an outdoor court beside a pickleball
04TRIBE Apache
Own the Apache

Ready when you are.

The 30-Day Court Test

Play the Apache for 30 days. If it’s not your paddle, send it back for a full refund. We pay the return shipping.

Scuffs and grip wear are expected · No restocking fee · First 25 orders
TRIBE Apache
$179.95
1 paddle + 1 TRIBE cover
Buy the Apache
2 Apache paddles Best value
$299.95
2 paddles + 2 TRIBE covers · Save $59.95
Buy the pair
  • TRIBE paddle cover included
  • Free shipping on U.S. orders
  • Orders typically ship within 1 business day
  • Tracking emailed as soon as your label is created
  • 30-Day Court Test · full refund, return shipping on us
  • 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
  • USA Pickleball approved
The Apache paddle beside the included TRIBE paddle cover and a pickleball
05Cover included

Checkout is currently U.S.-only. Outside the U.S.? Email Jay@tribepickleball.co. Shipping & returns · Warranty

Before you buy

Questions, answered.

Who is the Apache designed for?

Intermediate and advanced players who want a power-oriented paddle: more pop, aggressive spin, reach and fast handling, without the one-dimensional feel that usually comes with a power paddle. The elongated shape and 5.5 in handle also suit players coming across from tennis.

Is the Apache USA Pickleball approved?

Yes. The Apache was approved on 19 March 2025 and is legal for sanctioned tournament play. You can see the official entry on the USA Pickleball paddle list.

What comes with the Apache?

The paddle and a TRIBE paddle cover. The grip is white leatherette at 4.25 in circumference, ready to play out of the box.

How quickly will my order ship?

Orders typically ship within 1 business day. Tracking is emailed as soon as your shipping label is created.

What is the 30-Day Court Test?

Buy the Apache, play with it for 30 days from the day it arrives, and if it is not the right paddle for you, email Jay@tribepickleball.co. We send a prepaid return label and refund the full purchase price once the paddle is back. No restocking fee.

Scuffs, grip wear and normal marks from playing are expected and fine. Cracks, chips, gouges and impact damage are not covered. The paddle and its cover both need to come back. This is limited to the first 25 orders.

Can I play with the paddle during the 30-day trial?

Yes. The trial begins on your delivery date and you are welcome to play with the paddle. To be eligible for a refund it must come back without cracks, chips, gouges, excessive wear or other damage, together with the included cover, securely packaged. The original box is not required, return shipping is paid by you, and there is no restocking fee. Full terms are on the shipping & returns page.

What does the 1-year warranty cover?

TRIBE Pickleball warrants the Apache against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the original purchase date. If we approve a manufacturing defect, we will repair or replace the paddle at our discretion.

It does not cover normal wear and tear, including the surface texture wearing down through normal play, or cosmetic damage, scratches, scuffs, chips, dents, discoloration, impact damage, heat or moisture damage, unauthorized modification, or loss and theft. Full terms are on the warranty page.

What makes the Apache edgeless?

There is no plastic edge guard glued around the perimeter. The thermoformed structure runs clean to the edge, which keeps more of the face available to play with, keeps weight out of the perimeter, and removes the part that typically works loose or rattles over time.

Do you ship internationally?

Checkout is currently U.S.-only, and shipping within the U.S. is free. If you are outside the U.S. and would like an Apache, email Jay@tribepickleball.co and we will arrange it with you directly. See shipping & returns for detail.

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New paddles, TRIBE events, product announcements and what we’re building next.

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