The present disclosure relates in some aspects to recombinant polymerases, variant PumA1 polymerases, and compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods of using the recombinant polymerases and/or variant PumA1 polymerases for nucleic acid amplification (e.g., rolling circle amplification). In some aspects, the compositions and methods disclosed herein provide more robust amplification (e.g., RCA) reactions for improved in vitro and in situ analysis.