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.
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
After additional testing, USA Pickleball removed the Facolos Elite X from its approved-paddle list for exceeding allowable surface-roughness limits — meaning it isn’t currently legal for USAP-sanctioned tournament play. If you’re shopping to compete, that’s a real consideration, and it’s exactly the kind of thing to check before buying any paddle. (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 August 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.
What brand does Gabe Tardio play for?
Facolos (he left PIKKL in 2026).
Is the Facolos Elite X tournament legal?
As of the delisting, it exceeds USA Pickleball’s surface-roughness standard and isn’t approved for sanctioned play. Approval status can change, so verify current status before buying.