a protective gaiter fits around a lubricated joint such as a vehicle constant velocity joint . the gaiter is in the form of a generally conical rubber tube having stepped configurations at its wider end so that it can be cut down to fit different diameters of joint members . the stepped configurations have seating areas for a fixing strap and there are flexible transitions between these areas to enable the gaiter to flex and pivot . in one embodiment the flexible transitions are inwardly directed folds . in a second embodiment the seating areas are inclined inwardly and the flexible transitions are defined by angular joints with radial linking walls .