Gabe Tardio's current paddle is unsettled between the Facolos Elite X V2.0 and the Facolos EliteX Extreme Edition ELG. He wears the Stria Sport G1 Pro Pure shoe; his playing weight, tape placement, and grip build-up are pending.
Gabe Tardio is a right-handed Bolivian professional pickleball player who resides in Jupiter, Florida; his PPA Tour and pickleball.com profiles both list him as turning pro in 2022. He signed with Vietnamese paddle brand Facolos in January 2026 after leaving PIKKL, and he debuted a Stria Sport signature shoe in competition in June 2025. This record is strongest on those two sponsor relationships and on the dated sequence of paddle observations behind them; his paddle customization is undocumented.
Current equipment
What is on the record now?
A sponsor deal or product page tells you the brand and model, not the exact match paddle, weight, or tape. Each field below shows its own source and date.
It is the newest dated observation (The Kitchen, September 11, 2026). The PPA Tour profile naming the Extreme Edition is undated and matches tracker entries from January and April 2026. The exact edition he plays is still pending.
Facolos Elite X V2.0, the paddle generation named for Gabe Tardio in The Kitchen's tracker updated September 11, 2026. The tracker does not say which edition (the Tardio Signature or the standard Elongated), so both editions' specs are given below for reference.
Shape
Elongated
Core
16 mm ElsFoam core; the only thickness listed for either edition
Dimensions
Signature: 16.45 x 7.56 in; Standard Elite X 2.0 Elongated: 16.46 x 7.36 in
Handle
Signature: 5.7 in handle, 4.125 in grip circumference, 1.16 in grip diameter; Standard: 5.71 in handle, 4.13 in grip circumference
The PPA Tour profile is undated but was actively maintained when checked on September 16, 2026, it listed the September 14, 2026 Veolia Arizona Open as his next event, so its still naming the Extreme Edition is not itself evidence the page is out of date; it still names the Extreme Edition that trackers recorded in January and April 2026. The newest match observation, The Kitchen's tracker updated September 11, 2026, names the Elite X V2.0 but does not say which edition. No brand, tour, or first-party source names the exact model Tardio is playing now, so neither candidate is presented as settled. The profile also abbreviates the shape as "ELG" where the trackers spell out "Elongated"; no page states that the two labels mean the same paddle. Separately, the Elite X V2 Gabe Tardio Signature listing was marked not USAP/UPA approved for sanctioned play when checked on September 16, 2026; since the September observation came from a PPA Tour event where a non-approved paddle cannot be used, that counts against the Signature edition being the paddle observed there, but this is reasoning about approval status, not a source naming his edition, and it does not resolve which candidate or edition he plays. mattspickleball.com's PPA-pros page for Tardio returned HTTP 429 when checked (and re-checked) on September 16, 2026, and could not be read; it may add a third data point on a future check but does not change the current conflict.
Stria Sport's signature court shoe developed with Gabe Tardio, and the model identified on him in PPA Tour footage from the 2026 National Championships. The features below are Stria's retail listing, not a description of his own pair.
A January 2026 tour-published feature (PPA Tour Asia) states, in its own descriptive prose about his gear (not as a quoted statement from Tardio) that his paddle was 16mm thick with an elongated shape for reach and court coverage; that is the writer's characterization at the time, not a measurement of the paddle observed in September 2026. That is corroborated by retail listings: The Kitchen's April 2026 tracker recorded the previous paddle as "Elongated 16mm", and both the Elite X V2 Gabe Tardio Signature and the standard Elite X 2.0 Elongated list 16 mm as their only core thickness. No source states the core thickness of the paddle Tardio is playing now, so the field stays not-confirmed.
Facolos for paddles, under a deal reported in January 2026 to run through 2027; Stria Sport for footwear under a multi-year signature-shoe partnership; Kitch Pickleball as a licensed merchandise partner.
A tripod for filming play and practice, plus extra clothes, a pack of over-drips (apparent typo for overgrips), deodorant, chapstick and gum or mints, per the February 2026 bag walkthrough; the same walkthrough reports no spare shoes, water or sunglasses
No source states the retail specification of the paddle Tardio plays now, and no manufacturer spec page was found for the "Facolos EliteX Extreme Edition ELG" named on the PPA Tour profile (only the Elite X V2.0 editions have published retail specs. Retail Elite X V2 Gabe Tardio Signature: elongated, 16.45 x 7.56 in, 5.7 in handle, 4.125 in grip circumference, 7.9-8.3 oz average weight, 119 swing weight, 6.55 twist weight, 16 mm ElsFoam core, Toray T700 three-layer cross-weave carbon face with TrueGrit. The standard Elite X 2.0 Elongated lists 16.46 x 7.36 in, a 5.71 in handle, 4.13 in grip circumference, 8.11 ± 0.18 oz and the same 16 mm ElsFoam core. These are catalogue specifications, not measurements of Gabe Tardio's match paddle, and they cover only the V2.0 candidate) nothing is carried here for the Extreme Edition candidate named by the PPA Tour profile.
No source states a measured handle length or grip circumference for his match paddle. Tardio has said he chokes up and therefore does not want a long handle ("I choke up on the grip, so having a long handle is unnecessary. The elongated version adds reach, you get a bigger face so you're not going to miss as much," PPA Tour Asia interview, January 13, 2026), and a May 2026 technique piece reports that he plays paddles with shorter grips, explaining that an overly long grip can interfere with mobility when choking up (The Dink, May 26, 2026). Both are stated preferences, not measurements. The retail Elite X V2 Gabe Tardio Signature lists a 5.7 in handle and 4.125 in grip circumference and the standard Elite X 2.0 Elongated lists 5.71 in and 4.13 in, but those are catalogue figures for editions he has not been confirmed to play.
No public source states Gabe Tardio's playing weight. The retail Tardio Signature paddle is listed at an average 7.9-8.3 oz, which is a catalogue range and not a measurement of his match paddle.
No source states whether Gabe Tardio adds weight to his paddle. An aggregator page lists tungsten tape for him but cites no post, frame, or interview, and the February 2026 write-up of his bag walkthrough mentions no tape or weights. The lower balance point described on the signature paddle's product page is a factory design characteristic, not player customization.
No source states where, or whether, Gabe Tardio places tape on his paddle. The one aggregator page that lists tape for him gives no placement at all and cites no source for the listing.
No source describes his grip build-up, base grip, or wrap count. The pieces that discuss his grip cover hand position and grip technique (one-handed versus two-handed play (The Dink, February 5, 2026) and choking up (The Dink, May 26, 2026; PPA Tour Asia interview, January 13, 2026)) not how the handle is built up.
No source names Gabe Tardio's overgrip brand, model, or number of wraps. The February 2026 bag write-up lists 'a pack of over-drips' (apparent typo for overgrips) with no brand named, and the aggregator page that names a brand (JOOLA) cites no source for it.
No apparel sponsor is confirmed. The January 2026 Facolos announcement reported that a co-branded collection including apparel was planned, and Kitch Pickleball sells a licensed Gabe Tardio signature clothing collection, but licensed merchandise is not evidence of an on-court apparel sponsor.
An aggregator page lists a Franklin X-40 ball and Facolos co-branded accessories for Gabe Tardio, but cites no post, frame or interview for either, so neither is carried here.
Tape placement for Gabe Tardio's current paddle is pending. See the 9 other pros with sourced setups in the pro lead and tungsten tape guide.
Previous-era setup
Earlier setups, with dates
These setups are sourced but belong to an earlier paddle or sponsor, so they are not carried over to the current setup above.
PIKKL era
By July 2024 to January 2026
Historical report
Tardio was a PIKKL athlete before he signed with Facolos in January 2026. PIKKL's own paddle guide names him among the pros who used the Vantage Pro, and a July 2024 brand guide put him on the 16mm version. The start of the deal is not stated anywhere; July 2024 is the earliest dated observation. Whether he stayed on 16mm through 2025, and any weighting, grip, or tape detail from this era, is pending. What he played before PIKKL is also pending: no dated source for 2023 was found.
No source states the weight of his PIKKL-era paddle. PIKKL lists the retail Vantage Pro 16mm at 8.3 oz, which is a catalogue figure, not a measurement of his paddle.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Noe Khlif; Finals date 2026-09-13. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Mixed Doubles with Jessie Irvine; Finals date 2026-09-13. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-09-06. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-05-10. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-05-03. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
GoldPPA Tour · Open Pro
Fasenra Sacramento Open presented by Zimmer Biomet
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-04-19. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-03-29. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-03-15. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-03-08. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Official history lists gold in Men's Doubles with Ben Johns; Finals date 2026-02-22. The history page lists the player as Gabriel Tardio. The official PPA Tour athlete page for Gabe Tardio is headed Gabriel Tardio (Bolivia; resides Jupiter, FL; turned pro 2022), the spelling the history page uses.
Window: Nov 9, 2023 to Nov 9, 2026. Selected verified results, ordered by finish and then date. This record may not cover every tournament appearance. Tournament results do not establish which paddle was used.
Change history
What changed, and when?
Each sponsor or gear change, with its date and source.
Sep 17, 2026
Shoes · reason not stated
Stria Sport G1 Pro Pure
Stria Sport G1 Court Shoe (debuted June 2025)→Stria Sport G1 Pro Pure
Dated to the day the match footage was reviewed. The match was played at the 2026 PPA National Championships in September 2026; when he moved from the G1 Court Shoe to the G1 Pro Pure is not stated anywhere.
Facolos EliteX Extreme Edition Elongated (trackers, Jan–Apr 2026)→Facolos Elite X V2.0 (edition not specified)
The change is observation-based: The Kitchen's tracker recorded the Elite X V2.0 for him for the first time in this update. The specific edition is unknown, no sponsor or brand announcement accompanies the change, and the PPA Tour profile has not been updated to match, it still names the Extreme Edition. See the paddle field for the unresolved conflict.
Facolos, using the brand's flagship Pro Series EliteX
PIKKL→Facolos, using the brand's flagship Pro Series EliteX
The announcement names the EliteX line, not a specific variant. The Kitchen's trackers first recorded him with the EliteX Extreme Edition Elongated on January 20, 2026.
Dated to the report of the debut, published June 27, 2025; the article does not give the event dates. No current G1 (non-Pro) listing was found on striasport.com on September 16, 2026, and the brand's current signature listing is the G1 Pro, so this entry is not carried forward as his 2026 shoe.
The newest observation, The Kitchen's paddle tracker updated September 11, 2026, lists him with the Facolos Elite X V2.0 without saying which edition. His PPA Tour profile still reads "Facolos EliteX Extreme Edition ELG", which is the model trackers recorded in January and April 2026. Neither is treated as settled here.
Pending. No interview, broadcast, or brand page states his playing weight, and the retail Tardio Signature paddle's 7.9-8.3 oz average is a catalogue range rather than a measurement of his match paddle. The one aggregator page that publishes setup numbers for him cites no post, frame, or interview.
Pending. No source states that he adds lead or tungsten tape, or where it would go. An aggregator page lists tungsten tape for him with no placement and no citation, and the February 2026 account of his bag walkthrough mentions no tape or added weight at all.
The Stria Sport G1 Pro Pure. He wore it in the men's doubles match Johns/Tardio v Daescu/Alshon at the 2026 PPA National Championships, identified from the PPA Tour's footage of the match, and Stria's product page says the shoe was developed with him. His first signature model, the G1 Court Shoe, debuted in competition in June 2025.
Pending. No source describes his grip build-up, and no source names his overgrip. The February 2026 bag write-up notes only that he carries 'a pack of over-drips' (apparent typo for overgrips), without naming a brand.
The PIKKL Vantage Pro. PIKKL's own paddle guide names him among the pros who used it, a July 2024 brand guide put him on the 16mm version, and The Kitchen's January 2026 report of his Facolos deal confirms he had been signed with PIKKL. His paddle before PIKKL, in 2023, is pending: no dated source was found.