This disclosure provides for alpha olefin oligomers and polyalphaolefins (or PAOs) and methods of making the alpha olefin oligomers and PAOs. This disclosure encompasses metallocene-based alpha olefin oligomerization catalyst systems, including those that include at least one metallocene and an activator comprising a solid oxide chemically-treated with an electron withdrawing anion. The alpha olefin oligomers and PAOs prepared with these catalyst systems can have a high viscosity index combined with a low pour point, making them particularly useful in lubricant compositions and as viscosity modifiers.