Gabe Tardio plays the Facolos Elite X, his signature paddle. Note: the Elite X was removed from USA Pickleball’s approved list for exceeding surface-roughness limits — though it remains legal on the PPA Tour, where Tardio still uses it.
One of the youngest stars to reach the top of the men’s game, Gabe Tardio prompts the question: what paddle does he use? His signature Facolos Elite X — with an important asterisk.
I’m Jason Regan, a USA Pickleball Ambassador for North Central Massachusetts, tracking the pro tours.
What is Gabe Tardio’s paddle?
Tardio left PIKKL for Facolos — a Vietnamese brand entering the U.S. market — on a deal running through 2027. He co-designed the flagship Elite X (and Elite X 2.0), built for grip, spin, and control.
The important caveat
On May 28, 2026, USA Pickleball removed the Facolos Elite X from its approved-paddle list for exceeding allowable surface-roughness limits — during review, Facolos acknowledged the production paddle differed from the sample originally submitted for certification. That means it isn’t legal for USAP-sanctioned tournament play. Here’s the nuance, though: the PPA Tour uses a different approval body (UPA-A) with different roughness standards, so Tardio can — and does — still play the Elite X on tour. For USA Pickleball events and most leagues, it’s off the list. (This is a fast-moving situation; approval status can change.)
Should you use Gabe Tardio’s paddle?
The Elite X is a high-spin power paddle, but the delisting matters if you play sanctioned tournaments. For a tournament-legal alternative matched to your game, see our best paddles guide.
See the full pro paddle list for who plays what.
— Jason Regan, USA Pickleball Ambassador, North Central Massachusetts. Last updated September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What paddle does Gabe Tardio use?
His signature Facolos Elite X. Note that USA Pickleball removed the Elite X from its approved list for surface roughness, though it stays legal on the PPA Tour.
What brand does Gabe Tardio play for?
Facolos (he left PIKKL in 2026).
Is the Facolos Elite X tournament legal?
It was delisted by USA Pickleball on May 28, 2026 for exceeding the surface-roughness standard, so it isn’t approved for USAP-sanctioned play, but it remains legal on the PPA Tour. Approval status can change, so verify before buying.
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