A hot-melt adhesive especially useful in the construction of disposable diapers contains a vinyl polymer of 40-90% by weight of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl acrylate and 10-60% by weight of an alpha-olefin of C.sub.20 -C.sub.40, wherein the alkyl acrylate may be partially replaced with vinyl acetate or with a C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 olefin or with mixtures thereof, provided that the polymer contain at least 10% by weight of the alkyl acrylate. The adhesive may also contain a tackifying resin, a wax, an oil or a stabilizer depending on the specific end-use desired. In a preferred embodiment the polymer contains 20-45% by weight of the alpha-olefin.