Quick answer
Choose the Tri-Grip 100kg set for controlled strength work and the lowest cost; choose the Bumper 100kg set if you drop lifts or need floor protection. Both are Olympic sets with a 2-inch center hole, but only the bumpers are built for impact.
Material and what it means for your floor
The Tri-Grip plates are cast iron with a rubber coating. That rubber layer adds grip and reduces noise, but the core is still metal, so a dropped plate concentrates force on a small area. The Bumper plates use a solid steel inner ring wrapped in premium rubber, which absorbs shock and protects your floor and bar. If your training includes dropping the bar from overhead, the bumpers are the safer choice for your platform and plates.
Price and value
At catalog prices, the Tri-Grip set is listed at USD 291.59 (compared to USD 404.99), and the Bumper set at USD 295.11 (compared to USD 433.99). The difference is small in absolute terms, so the decision should be based on how you lift, not on saving a few dollars. The Tri-Grip set gives you more plate for the money if you never drop the bar; the Bumper set costs slightly more but adds impact protection that the Tri-Grip design does not provide.
When the Tri-Grip design has the edge
Tri-Grip plates are easier to handle thanks to the cutout grips, and the rubber coating makes them quieter and less likely to chip than bare cast iron. They also take up less space on the bar for the same weight, which matters if you are loading heavy for slow lifts. For bench, squat, and press work inside a rack, they are a practical, durable choice.
Key trade-offs
- Floor protection: Bumper plates absorb shock; Tri-Grip plates do not. If you drop the bar, choose bumpers.
- Price: Tri-Grip set is USD 291.59; Bumper set is USD 295.11. The small gap means you should decide on use, not cost.
- Handling and noise: Tri-Grip cutouts make loading easier; rubber coating on both reduces noise compared to bare iron.
Product facts
- Tri-Grip Plates - 5kg/10kg/15kg/20kg x 2 (100kg Set): Cast iron plates with a rubber coating and a Tri-Grip design. The rubber coating adds grip and reduces noise, but the cast iron core is not designed for dropping.
Tri-Grip Plates - 5kg/10kg/15kg/20kg x 2 (100kg Set) - Olympic Bumper Plates - 5kg/10kg/15kg/20kg x 2 (100kg Set): Solid steel 2-inch inner ring with premium rubber coating for shock absorption. The rubber body and steel ring are built to take impact, protecting your floor and bar during dropped lifts.
Olympic Bumper Plates - 5kg/10kg/15kg/20kg x 2 (100kg Set)
Which set fits your training
Best for
- Lifters who keep the bar under control and want a durable, lower-cost 100kg set
- Home or garage gyms with a rack and platform where plates are not dropped
Not for
- Olympic weightlifting or any training that involves dropping the bar from overhead
- Lifters who need maximum floor protection and shock absorption
