The Base Material: Vinyl
Every cheer pom starts with vinyl. It is the core material used for the strands, and it is the reason modern poms hold color so well, resist shedding, and clean up easily after outdoor events.
Vinyl is a flexible, lightweight plastic that can be cut into thin, uniform strands. It holds dye consistently, which means a navy pom ordered in August will match one ordered the following January. For teams that reorder mid-season or carry returning members into a new year, this color consistency matters.
Why Vinyl Became the Standard
Early poms used crepe paper and tissue, which tore easily and could not survive rain or sweat. Vinyl solved those problems. It holds up to repeated use, does not bleed color when wet, and washes with soap and water without losing shape.
Surface Finishes: How Material Treatment Changes the Look
The same vinyl base can be treated in different ways to produce completely different visual effects. This is where ordering decisions get interesting, because the finish you choose determines how your poms look under lights, in photos, and from the stands.
Solid Vinyl
Solid vinyl is the classic cheer pom material most teams know. The vinyl strands are dyed with color throughout and do not have an added coating, giving them a clean matte look that stays consistent in different lighting. It is a reliable option for teams that want bold color, easy care, and a traditional cheer pom appearance.
Metallic Vinyl
Metallic poms start with a standard vinyl strand and add a reflective foil coating that changes how the pom catches light. This creates the bright, shiny effect teams see under arena lights, stadium floods, and camera flashes. The coating also gives metallic strands their slightly crinkled texture and extra visual impact during movement.
Holographic Vinyl
Holographic poms take a vinyl strand and add a prismatic layer that creates a shifting shimmer effect. The base color stays visible, but the surface reflects light in different ways depending on the angle, giving the pom a more dimensional look during performances and on camera.
Strand Construction: Length, Width, and Count
Beyond the material itself, strand dimensions shape how a pom looks and feels during a routine.
Strand Length
Poms are available in 4" and 6" strand lengths. Longer strands create a fuller, more dramatic look with sweeping movement. Shorter strands produce a tighter, snappier shake that works well with fast choreography and younger athletes.
Strand Width
Standard cheer pom strands are 3/4" wide. This width balances visibility, weight, and movement for sharp motions and strong visual impact from the stands.
Strand Count
The number of strands in a pom affects its fullness and overall appearance. More strands create a denser, fuller shape, while fewer strands create a lighter feel. Varsity poms come pre-fluffed, so the strand volume is visible right out of the box.
Handle Design and Grip
Varsity poms use a baton grip, a smooth cylindrical handle that sits naturally in the palm. This style allows for clean wrist rotations and sharp motions without the hand slipping, and it stays consistent across all pom sizes and finishes.
How Materials Affect Care and Longevity
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl-based poms is their durability and low maintenance. Unlike older materials like paper or other lightweight plastics that can tear, lose shape, or wear down faster, vinyl is designed to handle repeated use while keeping its color and structure.
The care routine is simple across all finishes:
- Fluff strands by hand before each use, working outward from the handle
- Rinse with soap and water after events to remove dirt
- Air-dry completely before storing
- Store flat or hang by the handle to prevent creasing