Absorbent article having containment gaskets

Disclosed is a distinctive absorbent article which includes a pair of stretchable leg containment gaskets. The leg containment gaskets include a bodyfacing surface which extends along a width of the leg containment gaskets and which is adapted to be in a contacting relationship with a wearer's body when in use. An outboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets is attached to the longitudinal side portions of the absorbent article along an attached width. An inboard edge of each of the leg containment gaskets remains unattached from said longitudinal side portions in at least the crotch portion of the absorbent article along an unattached width. The attached width of each of the leg containment gaskets in the crotch portion of the absorbent article is at least about 30 percent of the width of the leg containment gasket. The absorbent article may also include a pair of stretchable waist containment gaskets. In addition, the absorbent article may include at least one waist flap to provide additional void volume to help contain bodily exudates.