Abstract: A process for creating a jacket for the protection of an extended object and the article produced by the process. The process includes the steps of selecting a heat-shrinkable tube having a size corresponding to the object to be protected; providing a mold body having external dimensions substantially matching dimensions of the object to be protected; placing the heat-shrinkable tube over the mold body; applying heat to the heat-shrinkable tube to cause the heat shrinkable tube to conform to the shape of the mold body; cutting the heat-shrinkable tube longitudinally to create an open sleeve with first and second lateral sides; and removing the open sleeve from the mold body. Preferably, a fastening means is provided on the lateral sides of the open sleeve to allow the sleeve to be secured tightly about the object to be protected.