Fringe Sport Hi-Temp Bumper Plate (25 lb, Pair)

Overview

Hi-Temp bumpers are the rugged workhorses of the plate world, and Fringe Sport sells the genuine American-made article. Unlike sleek virgin-rubber discs, the 25-pound Hi-Temp is molded from recycled vulcanized rubber under high heat, producing a thick, speckled plate that shrugs off abuse rubber plates twice its price cannot match. The trade-off is bulk and a higher bounce, but in exchange you get a plate that can be dropped repeatedly on concrete, gravel, or a garage floor without cracking or chipping. The wide steel insert is set deep and rarely loosens. The 17.7-inch diameter keeps bar height correct, and the textured surface hides scuffs well. Because the rubber is recycled, no two plates look identical and there is a stronger initial smell that fades with use. These are not calibrated and they are thicker than any competition disc, but for a budget-minded lifter or anyone training in a space where plates take real punishment, the Hi-Temp is one of the toughest and most affordable bumpers you can buy.