An absorbent article comprising: a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core sandwiched between said topsheet and backsheet; said core comprising absorbent material that is substantially enclosed by a core wrap, wherein said core wrap comprises a top core wrap layer and a bottom core wrap layer, said core comprising an absorbent-material-deposition zone comprising a first basis weight of absorbent material, and wherein the top core wrap layer and a bottom core wrap layer are joined together at a plurality of discrete bonding regions substantially free of absorbent material; and wherein said core further comprises one or more unfastened regions comprising a second basis weight of absorbent material, and wherein the first basis weight is greater than the second basis weight; wherein the plurality of discrete bonding regions and the one or more unfastened regions are substantially connected to each other with at least a plurality of said discrete bonding regions (B r ) being disposed outboard of a longitudinal centreline (y) of said absorbent core (4) and the discrete bonding regions are positioned such that neighbouring and/or consecutive bonding regions are separated by at least a portion of said absorbent-material-deposition zone along a longitudinal direction running substantially parallel to a longitudinal centreline of said absorbent core.